The CERN Fellowship Programme, Switzerland

Deadline: 7 September 2011
Open to: recent graduates from university or higher technical institutes, or university postgraduates who want to work in a research group
Scholarship: Fellows stipends are calculated individually

Have you recently graduated from university or an advanced technical institute? Are you interested in working for one or two years in an international environment at the forefront of research? In that case, you may be interested in CERN’s Fellowship Programme.

The Fellowship Programme awards approximately 90 Fellowships per year. Around half are for research work (experimental or theoretical physics) under a Senior Fellowship and half are for advanced development work and related research in a broad range of applied science, computing and engineering either under a Junior or a Senior Fellowship depending on the qualifications and experience of the individual.

Fellowships are intended for recent graduates from university or higher technical institutes, or university postgraduates who want to work in a research group. Research fellows in experimental or theoretical physics normally have terminated their studies for a doctorate (PhD or equivalent) while Fellowships in applied science, computing and engineering are open to recent graduates at Bachelor level and above. Fellowships are granted for one year initially and are normally extended for a second year, while extensions for part or all of a third year are granted only in exceptional circumstances.

After having become familiar with the activities of the Laboratory, Fellows are expected to contribute to bridging the gap between scientists and the general public by serving as CERN Guides typically 2 hours per month.

Eligibility

• You should be national of a CERN Member State. However, a limited number of positions in the research sector are also available to young scientists from Non-Member States.
• If you are applying in experimental or theoretical physics, you should have a PhD (or are about to finish your thesis).
• If you are applying in applied science, computing or engineering, you hold a university degree (BSc level or above) or a technical engineer qualification (or are about to graduate).
• Candidates with an MSc or higher diploma should have no more than 10 years relevant experience (after the MSc).
• Candidates with only a BSc or technical engineer diploma should have no more than 4 years relevant experience.
• Candidates who are currently preparing a diploma are eligible to apply. However, they are expected to have obtained their qualification by the time they take up their appointment at CERN.

Application

• Completed electronic application form;
• a Curriculum Vitae;
• a list of publications if relevant (for collaborations, please indicate simply the number of publications and only provide details of the most important ones);
• a photocopy of the last (highest) qualification;
• a short (half page) description of your motivation for coming to CERN; three recent letters of recommendation to give as broad as possible overview of your academic and/or professional achievements(*).
• Candidates for research fellowships (Theoretical and Experimental Physics) should also include a CV containing:
• A list of publications to which you have made significantly contributions; Conferences at which you have given presentations;  Statement of research interests.
• The application and ALL supporting documents should reach CERN (or be submitted using the e-recruitment system) by the closing date.
• (*) Please note: In the “Specific Information” of the application form a link to forward to your THREE referees will be available (as well as in the email of acknowledgment receipt). This link will allow them to submit their letters of recommendation in support of your application. Letters should be in English or French and submitted by the deadline indicated. Applications which are incomplete (e.g. missing reference letters) as of the closing date for a given meeting will not be considered. Candidates who are re-applying for a Fellowship in any field should note that they will be asked to provide new recommendation letters.
• Any supporting documents which are on paper may be submitted in paper form to the Recruitment Service. They will be attached by us to the candidate’s electronic application.

Scholarship

• Financial conditions: Fellows stipends are calculated individually – stipends are competitive and net of tax.
• Leave: Fellows are entitled to 2.5 days paid leave per month.
• Insurance: Fellows are covered by CERN’s comprehensive health scheme for themselves and their dependents.
• Travel expenses: Fellows are entitled to travel expenses for themselves and their family (unless stipulated otherwise on their contract).
• Fellows may be entitled to an installation grant, family allowance and child allowance. Help with finding suitable accommodation via the Housing Service is also provided.

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