The CERN openlab Summer Student Programme offers an exceptional opportunity for Bachelor’s and Master’s students in computing-related fields to gain hands-on experience at one of the world’s most advanced scientific institutions. Held at CERN in Meyrin, Switzerland, this nine-week programme brings together students from around the globe to work on cutting-edge IT and computing projects that support CERN’s large-scale scientific experiments.
- Application Deadline: 26 January 2026, 23:59 (Geneva time)
- Contract Duration: 2 months (nine weeks)
- Work Mode: Fully onsite, 40 hours per week
- Location: Meyrin, Switzerland
- Start date: 22 June or 29 June 2026
Participants will join multicultural project teams, attend lectures from leading scientists and computing experts, visit CERN’s unique facilities, and contribute to real, impactful work at the intersection of science, technology, and innovation.
What the Programme Offers
Selected students will:
- Contribute to a technical or scientific computing project within a CERN IT or engineering team
- Attend high-level lectures presented by CERN scientists, engineers, and computing specialists
- Participate in discussions, workshops, and visits to CERN’s research facilities
- Gain exposure to advanced computing technologies used in high-energy physics
- Present a final report and short presentation summarizing their work at the end of the programme
This programme offers a unique environment to learn, innovate, and collaborate with experts working on some of the world’s most complex scientific and technological challenges.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be a Bachelor’s or Master’s student (not PhD) with a strong computing profile
- Have completed at least six semesters (three years) of full-time university studies by June 2026
- Remain enrolled as full-time students through the start of the programme
- Have good knowledge of English
- Not have worked at CERN for more than three months previously, and not have participated in this programme before
- Be from any nationality (programme open globally)
Fields of study may include:
- Computer science
- Software engineering
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Engineering or related disciplines
Benefits
Participants will receive:
- A daily subsistence allowance of 93 CHF (tax-free)
- Travel reimbursement based on individual circumstances
- Coverage under CERN’s health insurance scheme
- Support in securing accommodation in or near the CERN site
- Access to CERN’s full physics lecture programme and openlab IT lecture series
- Experience working with world-leading experts and cutting-edge computing systems
Required Documents
Applicants must upload the following documents in English or French (PDF format):
- Curriculum Vitae
- Recent academic transcript
- Academic reference letter (dated within the past 12 months)
- Optional: Motivation letter indicating preferred area of work
Documents cannot be added after submission, so applicants should prepare all materials before beginning the application.
Who Should Apply
This programme is ideal for:
- Bachelor’s and Master’s students in computing and technical disciplines
- Students interested in advanced computing, data processing, high-performance computing, AI, or large-scale scientific systems
- Individuals seeking practical training in an international scientific environment
How to Apply
Applicants must submit all required documents and complete the application through the CERN career portal.
Apply here.
The CERN openlab Summer Student Programme 2026 offers Bachelor’s and Master’s students a unique opportunity to work on advanced computing and IT projects at one of the world’s leading scientific institutions. Over nine weeks in Meyrin, Switzerland, participants engage in hands-on research, attend lectures from top experts, and gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies used in high-energy physics. Open to students of all nationalities with strong computing backgrounds, the programme provides a competitive allowance, travel support, health insurance coverage, and assistance with accommodation. Applications close on 26 January 2026.
For more opportunities, click here.
