FAQs CERN openlab Summer Student Programme

Am I eligible?

Qualifications

In order to qualify for a place on the programme for 2025 edition, you will need to meet the following requirements:

You are a Bachelor or Master student (not PhD) in Physics, Engineering, Computer Science or Mathematics and should have completed, by the European Summer 2025, at least three years of full-time studies at university level
You will remain registered as a student during your stay at CERN. If you expect to graduate during European summer 2025 (as of May), you are also eligible to apply
You have not worked at CERN before with any other status (Technical Student, Trainee, User or other status) for more than 3 months and you have not been a Summer Student previously at CERN
You have a good knowledge of English

Candidates of all nationalities are welcome to apply for the CERN openlab Summer Student Programme.

Required documents

A CV in English (CV tips).
A copy of your most recent official academic transcript giving an overview of your grades (make sure the document is not protected by password so that we can open it). The documents do not need to be translated, however if you have an official English version it is preferable
Two mandatory reference letters (dated less than 12 months), from your lecturers and/or previous internships

All required documents must be submitted when submitting the application. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

I am from a CERN Non-Member State (NMS), can I apply?

Yes, the CERN openlab summer student programme is open to applicants from all nationalities.

How do I start my application?

To start the application, you need to click on the ‘I am interested’ button on the call for applications page that will lead you to the SmartRecruiters application webpage.

My university transcripts are not in English or French, can I submit them anyway?

The academic transcript for the current year needs to be preferably in French or English. If that is not possible, the candidate can send the original transcripts. If, for some reason, a translation is needed, we will contact the candidate.

Does my reference letter need to be written by a university professor?

The reference letter does not necessarily need to be written by a university professor, but it needs to be written by someone that has worked with you, knows your work, and explains why they are recommending you for the program.

How do I submit my reference or motivation letter?

Once you move forward with your application, an ‘Additional Attachments’ field will appear where you can add these attachments.

Can my recommendation letter be submitted by the person writing the letter?

No, you need to upload the reference letter, together with all the other required documents, in the ‘Additional Attachments’ section.

My degree is outside one of the mentioned areas, can I apply?

Only students from the departments of computer sciences, mathematics, engineering, and physics can apply. However, if candidates believe their academic transcript can reflect the needed technical knowledge in these areas, and a strong computing profile, we also welcome them to apply.

Candidates can also take a look into the official CERN careers webpage where they can find more opportunities outside computer sciences, mathematics, engineering, and physics.

I have recently graduated and obtained my Bachelor's degree, so I am not currently enrolled as a student; however, I am set to begin my Master's degree in September 2025. I can offer proof of admission and enrollment to my graduate studies, can I apply?

One of the requirements is to 'remain registered as a student during your stay at CERN'. If you expect to graduate during European summer 2025 (as of May), you are also eligible to apply. If you are not enrolled during the summer of 2025, you are not eligible.

When can I start?

For the 2025 edition of the programme, the starting dates are the following: June 23, 30.

What is the duration of the programme?

CERN openlab summer students get a placement at CERN for a period of nine weeks. Please note that CERN openlab summer student contracts always start on a Monday and end on a Friday and the students are expected to be at CERN in the morning (at 8h30) on their first contract day for an official Welcome Session and arrival formalities. The last working day students are expected to perform their termination formalities before ending their contract.

Can I change my date of start to one that is not in the options?

No, CERN openlab summer students need to start on one of the offered options. Only exceptional circumstances can justify changing that date to one different from the ones offered.

Are we entitled to holidays?

No, as a CERN openlab summer student you are not entitled to holidays. Exceptions may be done for exceptional circumstances such as attending an exam or to graduate.

Do I need to be on-site all the time?

Yes, CERN openlab summer students are expected to be on-site for the full duration of the programme during work hours.

Am I allowed to telework?

No, CERN openlab summer students are not allowed to telework.

What are the working hours?

Reference working hours at CERN are from 8.30 to 12.30 and from 13.30 to 17.30, from Monday to Friday. Please note that these working hours may vary slightly, depending on the group you are working with.

Can I choose my project?

It is not possible for candidates to choose the project themselves; they will be assigned to a particular project based on their application. That being said, candidates can always specify their preference, and skills, when applying to the programme – there is a field called ‘message to the hiring manager’, where candidates can include this information alongside any other things things believe are worth mentioning.

Find all the projects from past years on https://zenodo.org/communities/cernopenlab/

What is the daily allowance? Are travel costs covered?

The total sum of the scholarship is of 92 CHF per calendar day (net of tax). A travel allowance on a lump sum basis will also be paid to help with the cost of travel between Geneva and your residence at the time of the selection committee.

When will I get a reply to my application?

Students will get a reply to their application by late March/early April 2025. Invitation letters, for visa purposes (if needed), will be sent around May, however you can also use the acceptance letter to start your visa procedure.

What does the CERN openlab summer student programme offer?

CERN openlab would very much like to benefit from your expertise, commitment and passion.

In return, we will provide you with:

A contract of association of 9 weeks to work on a technical project.
An extensive physics lecture programme (students will also be able to attend the lectures from the CERN summer students programme).
A 92 CHF per calendar day (net of tax) subsistence allowance to cover the cost of accommodation and meals in the Geneva area for a single person for the whole contract duration.
A travel allowance on a lump sum basis paid at the end of your stay to help you with the cost of travel between Geneva and your residence at the time of the selection committee.
Coverage by CERN’s comprehensive Health Insurance scheme (contribution already deducted from allowance).*
Assistance to find accommodation on the CERN site or nearby.

*The few students who are paid directly from a national funding agency have to come to CERN with their own insurance coverage.

I am a CERN openlab summer student, do I have access to the main CERN summer student programme lectures and activities?

Yes, you have access to the tailored computing lectures put together by the CERN openlab summer student programme team, but also to the main programme lectures and activities. Students from the main summer student programme can also attend the CERN openlab lecture programme.

What are my contract conditions?

By accepting our offer to become a CERN openlab summer student, you will become, for the duration of the contract, an associated member of the personnel of CERN. As such, you are subject to all relevant legislation of CERN, in particular:

Please note that you have accepted the application and declared that you are aware of CERN rules and regulations when signing the Release Statement upon your acceptance of your place on the Summer Student Programme.

Release Statement for CERN School Participants:

While these regulations confer certain rights to you, you are also expected to comply with relevant obligations and restrictions. In particular, you are expected to respect the Organization’s working hours and to behave in an appropriate manner when being on CERN site, handling the property of CERN, or exposing in public your link to CERN. Below you find a non-exhaustive extract of the most relevant rights and obligations resulting from your association with CERN.

Rights and Obligations resulting from your association with CERN

Working hours

Leave

As a summer student you have no entitlement to annual leave. However, authorization for punctual absences may be granted in exceptional circumstances. In case of need, you should address to your supervisor and the Summer Student Team.

FAQs CERN openlab Summer Student Programme