At 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.

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

Apply your legal talents in the largest particle physics laboratory in the world, an Intergovernmental Organization at the forefront of research, CERN. This is a unique environment whose core value is excellence, and whose defining characteristic is teamwork.

CERN’s Legal Service, currently a team of twelve people is charged with the protection of the Organization’s interest in all legal matters.

The Institutional Law Section is responsible, inter alia, for:

• providing legal advice to CERN’s governing bodies (the Council and its subordinate bodies), the CERN Management and the Organization’s Pension Fund;
• ensuring CERN’s intergovernmental status is properly respected, in particular in its two Host States;
• drafting of international agreements with States wishing to join CERN membership;
• contributing to the drafting and implementation of internal legislation (e.g. Staff Rules and Regulations, Pension Fund Rules and Regulations);
• providing legal support in internal fraud and harassment investigations; and,
• representing the Organization in litigation, in particular before the ILOAT.

Eligibility criteria:

• You are a national of a CERN Member or Associate Member State;
• You have graduated with a university degree (MSc level ideally with LLM in public international law or similar) and have up to 4 years’ relevant experience after obtaining your MSc degree.

Essential skills and experience:

• Previous experience as a legal adviser in an Intergovernmental Organisation;
• Experience in public international law;
• Experience in drafting internal legislation;
• Ability to work in both English and French.

Desired skills and experience:

• Experience in administrative law and/or litigation before ILOAT.
• Experience in matters relating to privileges and immunities.

Please note that CERN Staff members are not eligible to apply for a Fellowship.

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

In return, CERN will provide you with:

• An employment contract for between six months (minimum) up to a maximum of 36 months.
• A stipend ranging from 5,305 to 6,586 Swiss Francs per month (net of tax).
• 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.

Your Life @CERN

Get a glimpse of what it’s like to work at CERN: https://careers.cern/benefits and https://careers.cern/our-people

This is how you can apply:

You will need the following documents to complete your application:

• A CV.
• A scanned PDF of your most recent relevant qualification.
• We recommend to add two recent letters of recommendation, giving an overview of your academic and/or professional achievements. You can upload these letters at the time of application if you have them to hand. You will also be provided with a link as soon as you have submitted your application to forward to your referees to upload their letters confidentially. Please note this must be done before the closing date.

All applications should reach us no later than 28 February 2021.