The COFUND project offers scientists and engineers within ten years of finishing their Master degree, challenging opportunities in particle physics research, and in related fields of physics and technology. COFUND is open to all nationalities. Applicants go through a thorough selection process based on the scientific potential of the proposal, and on the demonstrated excellence of the candidate. COFUND Fellows are the highest-ranked applicants.
Working on frontier research and technology projects and profiting from the unique facilities available at CERN, the co-funded Fellows deepen their knowledge in their own field and acquire international visibility and reputation. They broaden their skills using the numerous training opportunities and through their exposure to an interdisciplinary and multi-national environment. Inter-sectoral skills are fostered through CERN’s industrial collaborations and technology transfer projects. Fellows develop their knowledge and network thanks to the size of the Laboratory, the diversity of the research and training opportunities, and the uniqueness of CERN’s facilities.
One of CERN’s priorities is to generate interest and engage the general public in its activities through special programmes such as the ones for school kids, for high school teachers. In addition CERN has a dedicated visits service who organizes visits of the CERN points of interest for small and large groups. The COFUND Fellows participated and contributed to the success of these initiatives by having become a CERN guide and explaining CERN's activities to general public.
The COFUND Fellows benefit from attractive and competitive employment conditions and COFUND Fellows are guaranteed three-year appointments rather than the standard two-year terms of CERN Fellows. At least two of these three years are spent at CERN, COFUND fellows being offered the possibility to spend up to one year outside CERN, in a field related to their original work at CERN, in a research institute, university or industry of their choice, keeping their full employment contract with CERN. Some fellows made use of this possibility which proved to be an excellent bridge for the Fellows towards the next step in their research career. Some of them were in fact then hired by their seconding institute.
The objectives of the programme, namely to attract the best possible candidates, develop their knowledge and competencies in physics and related scientific and engineering activities, improve their employability on the job market both in the academic and non-academic world, extend their professional network have been achieved. The feedback collected via the questionnaire, and also talking to the Fellows directly to gather their feedback has confirmed the success and impact of this EU programme.
