The CERN Openlab Summer Student Programme 2027 places Bachelor's and Master's students with a strong computing profile in a computing team at CERN in Geneva, Switzerland for 2 months. It pays a tax-free allowance of CHF 94 per calendar day, and applications close on 21 January 2027. At Youth Works Hub, we reviewed the official posting and laid out every condition, benefit and required document below.
Programme Snapshot
🏛️ Organisation: CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research
📍 Location: Geneva, Switzerland, fully onsite
🚀 Ideal start date: 21 June 2027
⌛ Contract duration: 2 months
🕘 Weekly hours: 40
💶 Subsistence allowance: CHF 94 per calendar day, tax free
🌐 Nationalities: candidates of all nationalities are welcome
Inside CERN
At CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, physicists work alongside a diverse range of professionals from engineering, technical, scientific and administrative fields. The organisation describes every day as bringing new challenges and opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge research that shapes our understanding of the universe. Diversity has been a core value of CERN since its foundation, and it remains central to its mission.
What Your Summer Will Look Like
You will spend your summer where science, technology and innovation meet, joining a multicultural team and contributing to real projects. If selected, you will work alongside experts and students from around the world in a programme designed to expand your knowledge and curiosity.
Your Responsibilities
🧪 Contribute to a technical or scientific project within a computing team at CERN.
🎓 Learn from lectures delivered by world-leading scientists and specialists.
🗺️ Take part in discussions, workshops and visits to CERN's unique facilities.
🔄 Share your learning and experience with peers from a wide range of backgrounds.
The Profile CERN Is Looking For
🖥️ You are currently pursuing a degree in IT, Computer Science or a related field.
🔥 You are curious, motivated and eager to learn through hands-on work.
🤝 You enjoy collaborating with others in an international environment.
💡 You are open to exploring new ideas and perspectives.
Skills That Matter
📘 Fundamental understanding of your field of study.
🌟 Enthusiasm, curiosity and a proactive approach to learning.
💬 Ability to communicate and work in a team.
🧭 Adaptability, openness and a collaborative mindset.
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Eligibility Criteria
🎒 Studies: you are a Bachelor's or Master's student, not a PhD candidate, with a strong computing profile, and you have completed at least 6 semesters (3 academic years) of full-time university studies in one of these fields by the start of the summer.
🚷 Previous time at CERN: you have not worked at CERN for more than 3 months under any other status, and you have not previously participated in the Summer Student Programme at CERN.
🔤 Language: you have a good knowledge of English.
🏫 Enrolment: you remain enrolled as a full-time student during your summer at CERN, between June and the end of September, depending on the contract duration.
🗽 Nationality: candidates of all nationalities are welcome to apply.
What CERN Provides
💵 Allowance: 94 CHF per calendar day, tax free.
🩺 Health insurance: coverage by CERN's comprehensive Health Insurance scheme, with the contribution already deducted from the allowance.
✈️ Travel: travel expenses to Geneva upon joining CERN, depending on your individual circumstances.
📖 Lectures: an extensive physics lecture programme, and students will also be able to attend a series of IT lectures organised by Openlab.
🏠 Housing help: 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. For a broader look at funded placements, read our guide to paid internships abroad.
How to Apply: Documents to Prepare
The documents must be in English or French:
📄 Your CV.
✉️ An academic reference letter, dated less than 12 months.
📑 An official academic transcript.
🗓️ A Certificate of Enrolment covering the full internship period, between June and the end of September, depending on the contract duration.
📎 Any other document you consider relevant to your application.
Applications close at 23:59 Geneva time on the deadline date. You can browse more placements like this one in the internship section of Youth Works Hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the CERN Openlab Summer Student Programme pay?
Selected students receive a subsistence allowance of CHF 94 per calendar day, tax free. The contribution to CERN's Health Insurance scheme is already deducted from this allowance.
Who can apply to the CERN Openlab summer programme?
Bachelor's and Master's students with a strong computing profile who have completed at least 6 semesters (3 academic years) of full-time university studies in their field by the start of the summer. Candidates of all nationalities are welcome, but PhD candidates are not eligible.
How long is the programme and when does it start?
The contract lasts 2 months, with an ideal start date of 21 June 2027. The role is fully onsite at 40 hours per week.
Can I apply if I have already been at CERN?
You cannot have worked at CERN for more than 3 months under any other status. You also cannot have previously participated in the Summer Student Programme at CERN.
Do I need to stay enrolled at university during the summer?
Yes. You must remain enrolled as a full-time student during your summer at CERN, and your Certificate of Enrolment must cover the full internship period.
Which documents do I need?
You need your CV, an academic reference letter dated less than 12 months, an official academic transcript and a Certificate of Enrolment covering the full internship period. You may add any other relevant document, and everything must be in English or French.
Does CERN help with travel and housing?
CERN covers travel expenses to Geneva upon joining, depending on your individual circumstances. It also provides assistance to find accommodation on the CERN site or nearby.
Youth Works Hub lists new internships at international organisations as they open.
Deadline
⏳ 21 January 2027
Links
🔗 Official posting and application: https://jobs.smartrecruiters.com/CERN/744000159596524-cern-openlab-summer-student-programme-2027
🌠 More about working at CERN: https://careers.cern
