To all the professionals in the fields of science or engineering who, for some reason, have taken a break from their careers, CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) has something amazing for you to offer. Applications are now open for the CERN Post Career Break Fellowship 2026. As by its name, you would have an idea that the fellowship is designed for professionals who, for some personal reasons, were on a career break and planning to make a comeback to their scientific careers. A prestigious fellowship program offers an incredible opportunity for science and engineering graduates to enhance their skills and knowledge by working up to three years in an international work environment under the supervision of CERN experts.
The program is offering both full-time and part-time positions on a contractual basis (up to 36 Months). An outstanding opportunity for applicants who are interested in returning to their scientific careers. All individuals must know that this is a fellowship programme, not a job opportunity. The CERN career break fellowship offers a wide range of benefits for the duration of the program, such as a competitive monthly stipend, health insurance, travel allowance, etc. In this post, we will cover all the details regarding the Career Break Fellowship to make sure you don’t miss out on anything. Read more details about the fellowship below.
CERN Post Career Break Fellowship 2026 Overview
| Country | Switzerland |
|---|---|
| Host Organization | CERN (European Organization for Nuclear Research) |
| Location | CERN, Geneva |
| Coverage | Fully Funded |
| Fellowship Duration | 3 Years |
| Application Deadline | September 7th, 2025 |
Also, Check: OHCHR Indigenous Fellowship 2026 in Geneva (Fully Funded)
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals meeting the following criteria are invited to submit applications for the Post-Career Break Fellowship:
- Science and engineering graduates who have been on a career break for some personal reasons (e.g, health issues, family or caring, etc) for the last 2 years.
- Applicants must have an excellent graduate profile.
- Citizens of CERN Member or Associate Member States holding an MSc with 2 to 6 years of experience, or a PhD with up to 3 years of relevant experience, are invited to apply
- Applicants applying for experimental and theoretical physics must have an excellent research profile, with a PhD degree and up to 6 years of experience in their desired field.
- Individuals who are registered as CERN users will need to justify “how their status relates to the application.”
Fellowship benefits
CERN offers the following benefits to the fellows:
- An employment contract of 24 months, which is extendable up to 36 months
- On-the-job training by experts at CERN
- Language courses for French & English
- A monthly stipend of 6500 Francs/month
- Comprehensive Health Coverage (Self-Family)
- Membership of the CERN Pension Fund
- Installation grants, family, infant allowance
- Travel coverage
- 30 days of paid leave will be granted for each year
Required Documents:
- An updated CV
- A letter that covers your entire experience and your career break also includes how your research interests and skills are aligned with CERNS activities
- Scanned PDF of recent qualification
Also, Check: NIAS Safe Haven Fellowship 2026, Netherlands
Important Dates:
- Application Deadline: September 7th, 2025 (12:00 AM CEST).
- Fellowship Expected Start Date: January 1st, 2026
How to Apply for CERN Career Break Fellowship?
The application process is online via the official CERN online recruitment portal – all interested applicants need to submit the above-mentioned documents to complete their application. So, are you Ready to take part in this immersive fellowship? Well, than what are you waiting for? Visit the official link below to start your application. All applications need to be submitted by
CERN POST-CAREER BREAK FELLOWSHIP ONLINE APPLY
FAQ’s
Q1. Who can apply for Post Post-Career Break Fellowship?
- The fellowship is intended for the science & technology graduates who were on a career break due to parenting, health, or personal commitments and wish to make a comeback to their scientific careers.
Q2. What is not considered a Career break?
- Duration of Unemployment, Change in the field of studies, or career direction
Q3. What is considered a Career Break?
- Individuals who were on career breaks due to the following reasons: Health Issue, Caregiving, Family care
Q4. Does CERN pay for the duration of the program?
- The fellows will receive a stipend of up to 6,808 CHF for the program duration
Q5. What types of roles are available?
- The roles are available for the STEM-related fields such as IT, Mathematics, Engineering, or related areas.
