At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. Using the world's largest and most complex scientific instruments, they study the basic constituents of matter - fundamental particles that are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives physicists clues about how particles interact, and provides insights into the fundamental laws of nature. Find out more on http://home.cern.

Diversity has been an integral part of CERN's mission since its foundation and is an established value of the Organization.

Candidates may apply to be hosted by CERN in the fields of engineering as well as research and applied physics. Your research proposal should fit into CERN’s R&D programmes and be performed according to the work plan set out in the approved “ERC Grant Agreement”.

If you are seeking to be hosted by CERN under the European Research Council for a Starting Grant (https://erc.europa.eu/funding/starting-grants) or Consolidator Grant (https://erc.europa.eu/funding/consolidator-grants), please make a formal application to CERN in support of your proposal prior to making your submission to the ERC.

Following the successful outcome of the associated CERN selection process and a subsequent positive evaluation of the proposal by the ERC, should CERN decide to support your proposal you may be offered a CERN staff member contract for the corresponding duration of the ERC grant, up to a maximum of 5 years.

In order to qualify for an ERC Starting or Consolidator grant, you will need to meet the following requirements:

• Candidates of any nationality may apply to be hosted by CERN in the fields of engineering as well as research and applied physics. Your research proposal should fit into CERN's R&D programmes.
• For the Starting Grant applications: 2-7 years of experience post-completion of PhD (or equivalent degree) and a scientific track record showing great promise.
• For the Consolidator Grant applications: more than 7 and up to 12 years of experience post-completion of PhD (or equivalent degree) and scientific track record showing great promise.​​​​​

Application Deadline: 21.03.2021 

CERN would very much like to benefit from your expertise, commitment and passion.  In return, CERN will provide you with:

• A CERN Staff Member contract for the corresponding duration of the ERC grant, up to a maximum of 5 years.
•  Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive health scheme (for yourself, your spouse and children), and membership of the CERN Pension Fund.
• Depending on your individual circumstances: an installation grant, family, child and infant allowances as well as travel expenses to and from Geneva.
• 2.5 days of paid leave per month.
• Access to formal training at CERN as well as in-house language courses for English and/or French.

This is how you can apply:

You will need the following documents to complete your application:

• A CV
• A list of your 10 most important publications or notes, indicating where you are a principal contributor or a co-author
• Completed 5-page extended ERC Grant proposal summary ("synopsis" in the ERC procedure)
• Two letters of recommendation
  • You can upload these letters at the time of application if you have them to hand. You will also be provided with a link as soon as you have submitted your application to forward to your referees to upload their letters confidentially. Please note this must be done before the closing date.

Prior to submitting your application under the CERN Staff vacancy notice, you must inform the CERN EU Project Office: EU.Projects[at]cern.ch as well as the CERN Department Head (https://home.cern/about/structure-cern) of your intention to apply.

Please submit your application via CERN’s careers portal by the stated deadline.

Applications will be considered by a panel of CERN pre-selectors and will include an interview either in person or by video.

Deadline for submitting the applicaiton: 23.03.2021, 18hrs

Note on duration and employment conditions:

A CERN Staff Member contract offer in this context is contingent upon a positive outcome of the European Research Council grant application.

The European Research Council grant has a maximum duration of 5 years. In the event of a successful evaluation by the European Research Council, CERN will offer the candidate an employment contract for the corresponding duration of the grant. Contracts shall terminate by default on the end date of the ERC grant.

CERN members of personnel are subject to the CERN Staff Rules and Regulations and the CERN Code of Conduct.