CERN


Imagine taking part in the largest scientific experiment in the world. CERN needs more than physicists and engineers – if you’re a student, a graduate, just starting your career or an experienced professional, whatever your field of expertise, CERN could be your next opportunity.

At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists and engineers are probing the fundamental structure of the universe. They use the world’s largest and most complex scientific instruments to study the basic constituents of matter – the fundamental particles, which are made to collide together at close to the speed of light. The process gives the physicists clues about how the particles interact and provide insights into the fundamental laws of nature.

The instruments used at CERN are purpose-built particle accelerators and detectors. Accelerators boost beams of particles to high energies before the beams are made to collide with each other or with stationary targets. Detectors observe and record the results of these collisions.

Founded in 1954, the CERN laboratory sits astride the Franco-Swiss border near Geneva. It was one of Europe’s first joint ventures and now has 23 member states.

CERN. Take part.

© 2013-2018 CERN

Visit CERN Careers


Today CERN employs over 2500 people – if you visit us you will find over 2500 different reasons why CERN is a great place to work!


Here are 6 key reasons we believe will make you love working here.

Purpose

CERN’s people are driven by a shared goal, a single purpose. They want to achieve the impossible, to do what’s never been done before. Everyone here strives to be the best they can be, true specialists and industry “firsts” are created regularly – not just in the world of physics

Challenge

Unravelling the mysteries of the universe: it’s a big task. And that’s one of the reasons that experts come to CERN – to test themselves, push their abilities and help create history with groundbreaking discoveries. But this is not just about physics. The engineering and technical skills needed to make the experiments succeed are as world-class as the science behind them. If you want to help answer the world’s toughest questions, this is the place to do it.

Integrity 

This is a word that is included in the CERN values, but it’s something that can be claimed by any number of organisations, so what does it actually mean here? Respect isn’t handed out automatically at CERN – it’s earned. But, because of the nature of the work, people act with integrity. People are driven by scientific discovery. Their motivations are pure. They trust and are trusted.

Collaboration

CERN is an employer, a university and a state: a whole community working towards a shared goal – scientific discovery. This creates a collaborative world. Seniors work with graduates. Physicists need engineers. Countries forget politics and collaborate to achieve. And knowledge – CERN’s main commodity – is shared throughout CERN, its member states and the rest of the world.

Imagination

This is work without boundaries. People here are realising the impossible. Pushing what is known and accepted with the courage to ask, “what if?” They have the freedom to think differently, to imagine, and to find improbable solutions to problems that have never been asked before. They are free to take chances, to challenge ideas and to enjoy unrestrictive working practices.

Quality

Of course, there’s one final element that helps to make CERN what it is today. People here enjoy living a truly cosmopolitan life, in the heart of Europe. The environment offers a myriad of leisure activities, both on Lake Geneva and the surrounding mountains. With excellent benefits, great remuneration and the freedom to work flexibly, it’s not just the work and atmosphere that makes people enjoy their jobs, it’s the tangible elements that they receive too.

Not yet convinced? Then you might want to check out CERN’s benefits package.



Culture and Values

CERN is a truly unique organisation, a place where people from all around the world work side by side to probe the fundamental structure of the universe. The Organization’s core values are:  integrity, commitment, professionalism, creativity and diversity, each one further defined below. These values underpin the CERN Code of Conduct which is all about the common basic standards of behaviour to help us understand how to conduct ourselves, treat others and expect to be treated in accordance with the CERN values.

The Code is intended as a guide in helping us, as CERN contributors, to understand how to conduct ourselves, treat others and expect to be treated.  It is based around the five core values of the Organization. We should all become familiar with it and try to incorporate it into our daily life at CERN.


© 2013-2018 CERN

Integrity

Behaving ethically, with intellectual honesty and being accountable for one’s own actions
A high standard of integrity in the performance of our work and in our relationships with others promotes a culture of trust and responsibility.

Commitment

Demonstrating a high level of motivation and dedication to the Organization
Our collective commitment to CERN is essential both to the achievement of its mission and the protection of its reputation.

Professionalism 

Behaving ethically, with intellectual honesty and being accountable for one’s own actions
A high standard of integrity in the performance of our work and in our relationships with others promotes a culture of trust and responsibility.

Commitment

Demonstrating a high level of motivation and dedication to the Organization
Our collective commitment to CERN is essential both to the achievement of its mission and the protection of its reputation.

Producing a high level of results within resource and time constraints and fostering mutual understanding
Our ability to deliver and to create a positive work environment permits us to achieve high professional standards, individually and collectively.

Creativity

Being a the forefront of one’s professional field, furthering innovation and organisational development
CERN encourages continuous learning and development and values innovation as well as proactive approach to acquiring and sharing information.

Diversity

Appreciating differences, fostering equality and promoting collaboration
CERN’s excellence derives from an environment in which the knowledge and perspectives of a diverse workforce are valued and dialogue is encouraged at all levels.

CERN & the European Commission – promoting conditions for researchers

As part of our collaboration with the European Commission, CERN subscribes to the principles of the European Commission’s European Charter of Researchers and Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. These principles are best practice guidelines, designed to promote equal rights and obligations for individual researchers throughout Europe by specifying the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, as well as those of funders and/or employers of researchers. They promote attractive research careers and boost employment and working conditions for European researchers.

CERN is currently going through the procedure in view of obtaining the “HR Excellence in Research” logo of the European Commission.

In the Potentialpark Study Europe 2018 CERN was ranked No. 6 overall, No. 5 for the Career Website, no. 14 for Applying Online, and no. 30 for Social Media presence. Since 2002, Potentialpark’s market research has brought the voice of the candidates to both employers and universities. View the 2018 ranking of the most talent friendly employers in Europe. Find out more.

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Company Statistics

Date Established 1954

Location

Meyrin, Canton of Geneva, Switzerland