CERN Theoretical Physics Fellowship 2025 in Switzerland (Fully Funded)

If you’re a young scientist with stars in your eyes and a thing for smashing particles together (not literally, unless you’re into that), there’s basically nowhere cooler than CERN. Tucked away just outside Geneva, this place is the stuff of legend if you’re even remotely interested in physics. And guess what? With the CERN Theoretical Physics Research Fellowship 2025 opening up, you might actually get a shot to hang your name next to some of the greats.

Let me walk you through exactly what this fellowship offers, who’s eligible, how to apply — and some tips to boost your chances.

What is the CERN Research Fellowship in Theoretical Physics?

CERN’s Research Fellowship Programme in Theoretical Physics is designed for early-career researchers who hold a doctoral degree (or are about to defend) in theoretical physics. The idea is to bring bright minds into CERN’s Theory Department, give them time, environment, resources, and the intellectual community to carry out high-level theoretical work. The fellowship is full-time and intended as a stepping stone: you’ll join research groups, collaborate, and pursue independent research.

CERN is famed for its particle accelerators, detectors, and experimental physics — but the theoretical side is just as critical. The fellows are expected to contribute to the broader theory efforts, propose and pursue research, and engage with the scientific community at CERN.

Eligibility Criteria

To be considered for this fellowship, you must satisfy several conditions:

• You must be a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State. (CERN also allows a limited number of positions for candidates from non-member states via a special “Non-Member State Postdoc Fellowship Programme.”)
• You must have a PhD in theoretical physics (or be in the final stages of defending). At the time you take up the fellowship, your PhD defense should be complete or scheduled.
• You can’t have more than 6 years of research experience after PhD completion. That means this is an early career postdoc opportunity.
• CERN staff members are not eligible to apply.

These rules ensure the fellowship reaches those in the early postdoc window, enabling them to grow and contribute meaningfully.

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Benefits & What the Fellowship Covers

One of the great things here is that CERN treats this as a real employment relationship, with benefits:

• The initial contract is 24 months, with the possibility of extending to 36 months (i.e. an extra year).
• You’ll receive a monthly stipend in Swiss francs, net of tax, in the range CHF 6,911 to 7,326.
• Health coverage for yourself, spouse, children (if any), as per CERN’s health scheme.
• Membership in CERN’s Pension Fund.
• Depending on your circumstances, additional support may be provided:
  • installation grant
  • family/child/infant allowances
  • travel expenses to/from Geneva
• Paid leave: 2.5 days per month.
• A stimulating research environment and access to CERN’s resources and networks.

Together, these benefits make the fellowship not just a prestige opportunity, but a stable and supportive one.

Fields of Study / Research Focus

While the fellowship is labeled “Theoretical Physics,” what does that really encompass? CERN’s Theory Department works broadly across topics such as:

• Quantum field theory
• Particle phenomenology
• Quantum gravity, string theory
• Cosmology and connections to high energy physics
• Mathematical physics aspects relevant to fundamental theory
• Computational/theoretical methods in particle physics

In practice, when applying, you pitch a statement of research interests. That means you should align your proposal with what the Theory Department does, but also present something compelling, original, and feasible in the CERN environment.

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Deadline & Timeline

This round’s deadline is 3 November 2025, by midnight CEST (i.e. 23:59). Do not miss it. All parts of your application, including recommendation letters (which may be uploaded by your referees), must be in place by that time.

Note that the documents you upload remain attached to your CERN SmartRecruiters profile — you don’t need to reupload them for future CERN applications.

Also, very importantly: candidates from non-member states should apply via the Non-Member State Postdoc Fellowship Programme version of the call (yet the eligible positions are limited). Be sure to check which track fits you.

Application Process: Documents & Steps

This is where many applicants stumble — the mechanics matter just as much as the research. Here’s what you’ll need and how to proceed:

Required documents (in PDF, separate files):

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV). A strong, clean CV detailing your education, publications, research experience, talks, etc.
2. Most recent relevant qualification. Typically your PhD diploma (or proof of defense).
3. Statement of Research Interests. Here’s your chance to outline what you plan to do during the fellowship: research goals, methods, relation to existing work, fit with CERN’s Theory Department.
4. Three recommendation letters. These should be recent (not older than one year) and highlight your academic or professional achievements.
   • When you submit your application, the system gives you a link to forward to your referees so they can upload confidential letters.
   • If you already have the letters, you can upload them yourself, but the referees must complete their upload before the deadline.

Procedure:

• Apply through CERN’s SmartRecruiters portal (via the link in the official call).
• Upload all required documents.
• Provide contact information for your referees and issue them the secure link.
• After submission, ensure your referees upload their letters by the deadline.
• Wait for CERN’s selection process.

One tip: don’t leave your referees scrambling last minute. Contact them early, explain the fellowship, share your plans and timeline — their strong, thoughtful letters will be part of what sets you apart.

Tips to Strengthen Your Application

Because this is a highly competitive opportunity, here are a few things to keep in mind:

• Your statement of research interests should balance ambition and realism. Show that your proposed work is feasible within CERN’s environment, but also pushes boundaries.
• Tailor your proposal to engage with ongoing lines of inquiry at CERN’s Theory Department. If you can mention groups or people whose work you admire or hope to collaborate with, that shows you’ve done your homework.
• Publication record counts—but so do quality, clarity, and diversity (papers, conference presentations, invited talks).
• Choose referees who know you well and can speak to your originality, independence, and potential for research.
• Proofread everything. In a high-stakes application, small mistakes stand out.
• Submit early. Don’t wait until the last minute to upload files or prompt referees.
• If you’re from a non-member state, check the rules for that track carefully and apply via the correct route.

What It Feels Like to Be at CERN

This fellowship isn’t just about money or prestige — it’s a chance to live and breathe physics at one of the world’s most intense research hubs. Imagine:

• Being in an international community of top theorists and experimentalists.
• Attending seminars, workshops, collaborations across disciplines.
• Access to CERN’s computational, library, and networking resources.
• The possibility to spark new ideas just by walking down corridors and chatting with people from all over the world.
• Time and space to focus deeply on your research, without worrying about grant writing (at least for that period).

Many folks say their time at CERN changed how they think, how they collaborate, even how they see their scientific trajectory.

Official Program Website:
Apply Here – CERN Theoretical Physics Fellowship 2025