Engineering

Short Term Internship 2026 - European Organization for Nuclear Research (Geneva)

Contract TypeTraineeship

About this position

The summary below is published by European Organization for Nuclear Research on the official vacancy notice. Our own analysis — salary realism, comparable openings, career trajectory, language profile — follows further down the page.

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 home.cern.

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

One of CERN’s key missions is education. Our experts enjoy sharing their knowledge with committed and passionate students.

If you are an undergraduate student in a technical or administrative field, and you’re looking to spend a few months training on-the-job, imagine doing your internship at CERN in Geneva. An impressive addition to your CV!

We offer a limited number of placements in our practical training programme.

Duration 1 – 6 months.

!Important!: Please note that only nationals of CERN Member States or Associate Member States are eligible to apply. Applications…

Excerpt shown; read the full notice on the official page. The structured breakdown below covers the key facts.

Key responsibilities

According to the vacancy notice, the role centres on the following duties:

  • On-the-job training in technical or administrative field

Are you eligible?

Check these requirements from the notice before investing time in an application:

  • Education: Full-time student pursuing Technical/Administrative diploma, Bachelor or Master degree
  • Languages: English (working…), French (working…)
  • Key skills: Applied physics, Computing, Mathematics, Electricity, Electronics, Mechanical engineering, Civil engineering, Instrumentation, Materials science, Radiation protection
  • Eligibility: National of a CERN Member State or Associate Member State; at least 18 years of age; full-time registered student throughout internship; PhD candidates not eligible

Selection process

The notice describes the following selection steps:

  • CV submission in English or French (PDF format)
  • Selection of availability period during application

Contract and working arrangements

Contract duration: 1 – 6 months.

Working arrangements: On-site in Geneva.

Position details

Reference
STAG 2026
Last Verified
15 September 2026

Position overview

This is the official EU Careers listing for Short Term Internship 2026 at CERN based in Geneva (Traineeship). The vacancy reference is STAG 2026. The role falls under the Engineering domain.

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 home.cern.

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

One of CERN’s key missions is education. Our experts enjoy sharing their knowledge with committed and passionate students.

If you are an undergraduate student in a technical or administrative field, and you’re looking to spend a few months training on-the-job, imagine doing your internship at CERN in Geneva. An impressive addition to your CV!

We offer a limited number of placements in our practical training programme.

Duration 1 – 6 months.

!Important!: Please note that only nationals of CERN Member States or Associate Member States are eligible to apply. Applications from other countries will notbe considered.

To qualify for an internship, you should meet the following requirements:

- You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State. - You are a full-time student (Technical/Administrative diploma, Bachelor or Master degree). - Please note that candidates studying for a PhD are not eligible for this programme.

- You are at least 18 years of age. - Your main field of study is in one of the following areas: applied physics, computing, mathematics, electricity, electronics, mechanical or civil engineering, instrumentation, materials science, radiation protection, safety and environmental protection, surveying, ultra-high vacuum, scientific communication. Or in administrative fields such as: translation, advanced secretarial work, accounting, legal services, human resources, librarianship, logistics. - You will remain a full-time registered student throughout the internship at CERN. - You have good working proficiency in English and/ or French.

Important Information

- The duration of the internship is minimum 1 month and maximum 6 months. - Your Educational Establishment / University must ensure you have full insurance cover valid in the Geneva area (France and Switzerland) for medical expenses, work and private accidents as well as any disability arising from professional and non-professional illness and accidents. - You will receive a monthly allowance of 1,593 Swiss Francs for a full month of work. If you work less than a full month, the allowance will be adjusted proportionally.

Due to the high volume of applications we receive, you will only be contacted if successful.

Please note that if a traineeship agreement is required by your Educational Establishment / University, as an international organisation CERN will not sign external documents. You will therefore be required to use the CERN traineeship agreement provided on https://cds.cern.ch/record/1994294/files/convention_stage_6mois_en.pdf.

How to apply

You need a CV in English or French (in a PDF format).

During the application process you will need to select your availability period for this internship.

Global Benefits

- A monthly allowance of 1,593 Swiss Francs. - Entitlement to paid leave for contracts of 4 months or more.

Overview of CERN -Discover a world where the impossible is made possible!

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, we are pushing the frontiers of science and technology. Our groundbreaking work brings together not only physicists but also a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific, and administrative fields. Together, we foster an environment where innovation and collaboration thrive.

Every day, we face exciting new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. We meet these challenges through the diverse perspectives within our teams, ensuring every contribution is valued and driving our shared sense of inclusion and purpose. Diversity is a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to our mission and continued success.

If you are ready to be part of a dynamic, inclusive community pushing the boundaries of knowledge, CERN is the place where your curiosity and skills can thrive. Be part of our mission to uncover what lies at the heart of the universe!TAKE PART!

More information about us, here:careers.cern

Application timeline

This vacancy was first listed on 9 September 2026, 6 days ago.

No closing date is published in the source feed for this position. EU vacancies typically remain open for four to eight weeks; check the official vacancy notice for the cut-off date and time.

Last verified against the EU Careers feed on 15 September 2026.

Where to learn more

For headcount, mission, and other open vacancies at CERN see the CERN institution page; for the cost of living, correction coefficient, and other postings in Geneva see our Geneva location page; for related vacancies in the Engineering field browse our Engineering domain page.

New to EU careers? Our beginner's guide walks through entry routes, EPSO competitions, and what to prepare. For application logistics see application tips and EPSO competitions.

Career trajectory

Career progression for this grade staff is governed by Articles 44 to 46 of the Staff Regulations (consolidated text on EUR-Lex) and Annex IB on the promotion procedure. Step increases are automatic every two years (Art. 44); grade promotion is competitive, based on the appraisal exercise (Art. 45) and the Career Development Review. For roles at CERN, progression to the next grade typically takes three to five years on merit, with two-yearly step increases in between. Article 46 governs the classification at recruitment, which sets the starting step within the grade (usually step 1 for external recruits without prior EU service, step 2 or 3 where relevant professional experience is recognised).
Mobility within the institutions is encouraged via the inter-institutional and intra-institutional vacancy publication system: temporary agents who pass the probation period and reservists from EPSO laureate lists can typically apply to internal vacancies after one year of service. Lateral moves between Directorates-General reset the seniority clock for promotion only if the new post carries a different grade.

Language profile

Beyond the formal language requirements stated in the vacancy notice, the day-to-day working languages at this employer are English and French in roughly equal measure, with German appearing in some technical files. Internal meetings and most policy drafting in Brussels run in English; French remains the preferred internal language in Luxembourg-based services and parts of DG TRADE.

Application cadence

CERN has not advertised another comparable role with the same grade and Engineering signature in the past twenty-four months. This opening has rarely been seen on the EU Careers feed and may be the first such posting in our two-year window. Applicants who pass the eligibility checks should not assume the same profile will reopen on a predictable cadence.

Source: This job listing was sourced from the officialEU Careers portal (EPSO). First published: .

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