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.

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions fund excellent research and innovation and equip researchers at all stages of their career with new knowledge and skills, through mobility across borders and exposure to different sectors and disciplines. The MSCA help build Europe’s capacity for research and innovation by investing in the long-term careers of excellent researchers.

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

Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship in the CERN Theory Department

The Theoretical Physics (TH) department at CERN would like to encourage applications for the 'European Postdoctoral Fellowships' through the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (https://ec.europa.eu/research/mariecurieactions/).

The objective of the Postdoctoral Fellowships action targets researchers holding a PhD who wish to carry out their research activities abroad, acquire new skills and develop their careers. The fellowships help researchers gain experience in other countries. Interested researchers submit an application together with a host organisation and CERN can be one of them.

As a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellow in the Theory Department at CERN (https://theory.cern) you can work on your project embedded in an extremely stimulating environment, meet world leading theoretical physicists, take part in their day to day work and enjoy a vibrant programme of seminars and workshops.

Please note that we do not offer 'Global Fellowship positions'.

In order to qualify you will need to meet the following requirements:

At the time of recruitment:

• be in possession of a PhD degree in Theoretical Physics at the time of the EU deadline for applications. Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply.
• You comply with the EU mobility rule: you must not have held a contract with CERN (eg. USER, COAS, Fellow, Project Associate…) for more than 50% and more than 12 months in the last 36 months before the EU call deadline. Candidates coming from other Swiss institutes may apply.
• You have a maximum of 8 years experience in research from the date of the award of the PhD degree.
• Candidates of any nationality can apply.
• Proficiency in English is required.

The Postdoctoral Fellowship position offers:

• An employment contract for the corresponding duration of the Individual Fellowship (typically 2 years).
• A basic stipend between 6650 and 7050 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax) according to your professional experience.
• 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:

Due to resource and office-space constraints, the TH Department will be able to host only a limited number of research fellowships, and for this reason a preselection based on the scientific profile of the applicant's research will be made. If your application is selected CERN will support you in preparing your submission for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action.

You will need the following documents to complete your application to CERN:

• A CV
• A brief research statement summarising what you would like to achieve with the postdoctoral fellowship hosted at CERN (half a page)
• A list of your most important publications, indicating your particular contribution

For this position we do not require a reference letter. This is why you may disregard in the ‘acknowledgement of receipt message’ the paragraph which refers to the reference letter’.

Closing date:  Priority will be given to applicants who will express their interest by 30 June 2023, although late applications might be still supported depending on the number of requests received.