CERN Short-Term Internship 2026 in Switzerland
Country: Switzerland
City: Geneva
Organization: CERN
Program Name: Short-Term Internship
Category: Internship
Duration: 1 to 6 months
Deadline: Before 01/11/2026 at 23:59 (Geneva Time)
Program Overview
The CERN Short-Term Internship is designed to give students hands-on experience in their field of studies at one of the world’s leading scientific institutions. CERN states that interns join a team working on real-world projects and gain an immersive experience over a period of 1 to 6 months. The programme page highlights opportunities in fields such as applied physics, engineering, computing, and administration.
According to CERN, the internship also gives participants the chance to engage with an international and diverse community, collaborate with experts and peers from around the world, and gain perspectives that support both personal and professional growth.
Location and Start Date
The job page lists the location as Geneva, Switzerland. It also mentions an ideal start date of 01/09/2026. The internship is fully onsite.
Internship Duration
CERN states that the contract duration for the Short-Term Internship is 1 to 6 months. The programme overview page also describes the internship as lasting from 1 to 6 months.
What CERN Offers
The official pages state that selected interns receive a monthly allowance of 1,593 Swiss Francs. CERN also notes that participants are offered an internship of 1 to 6 months to work on operations with CERN. On the job page, CERN adds that paid leave is provided for contracts of 4 months or more.
Fields of Opportunity
The programme page lists opportunities in applied physics, civil engineering, data science and data analytics, electrical or electronics engineering, health, safety and environment, international relations, material and surface science, mathematics, mechanical engineering, software engineering and IT, and support services including finance, HR, legal, and procurement. The same page indicates that there are currently no open positions in experimental physics and theoretical physics.
Responsibilities
CERN says interns will support experienced professionals in their daily activities, learn and apply new tools or methods relevant to their area of study, contribute to small-scale projects under the guidance of a supervisor, and collaborate with people from diverse backgrounds in an international environment.
Eligibility
To be eligible, applicants must be nationals of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State. CERN specifically notes that applications from Pakistani and Lithuanian nationals cannot currently be considered for positions with a 2026 start date because the ceiling defined under Article II.5 of the Associate Membership Agreement has been reached.
Applicants must be pursuing a post-secondary education degree, including a technical or administrative diploma, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree. They must remain enrolled as full-time students during the studentship. The programme page also states that applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have a good working knowledge of English or French.
Profile
The job page says applicants should currently be studying in a technical, engineering, or administrative field and should be required or encouraged by their university to complete a practical training period. CERN also says candidates should be eager to develop their skills through on-the-job learning and should enjoy teamwork and collaborative learning.
Skills
CERN lists fundamental knowledge in the applicant’s field of study, curiosity, precision, a proactive attitude towards learning, good communication skills, and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural team among the qualities expected for this internship.
Recruitment Process
The programme page outlines a three-step recruitment process. First, applicants submit their application by completing the online form and uploading their CV in English or French before the deadline. Second, applications are reviewed, and candidates may be invited to an online interview with the hiring manager or managers. Third, successful applicants receive an offer, and once accepted, onboarding begins.
Required Documents
CERN states that applicants need a CV in English or French to complete the application. The job page also says applicants may upload any document they consider relevant to their application. It further notes that the online application takes around 15 minutes to complete.
Application Deadline
The official job page states that applications must be submitted before 01/11/2026 at 23:59 Geneva Time.
