Czech out the science at CERN: A small country’s big impact
CERN, the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is the world’s largest laboratory for particle physics. It’s a unique place where scientists from around the globe work together to explore the fundamental mysteries of the universe. In an exclusive interview with Czech Radio, CERN Director-General Fabiola Gianotti spoke about the role of Czech scientists and engineers in this remarkable international collaboration.
CERN is a symbol of international scientific cooperation. Over the decades, it has weathered major crises — from financial difficulties to the global pandemic. But according to its Director General Fabiola Gianotti, CERN is once again operating at full speed.
“We went through, as any other institution and country in the world, we went through a difficult period with the pandemic and, of course, geopolitical problems. I think CERN went through this crisis pretty well. We had, of course, periods of financial difficulties, but I think now we are back on track.”
Around 250 Czech scientists and engineers from six universities and technical colleges are involved in CERN's experiments — that's nearly three percent of the total number of experts from member countries. A remarkable figure, especially considering that the Czech financial contribution makes up just over one percent of CERN's overall budget.
“Let me stress that the contribution of the Czech Republic to CERN is of the highest quality in terms of science, in terms of industry participation, in terms of technological development. So really, it's a pleasure to have collaborators like those from the Czech Republic.”
Researchers from Charles University in Prague are particularly involved in the ATLAS experiment — the giant detector system at the heart of CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. This is where particles collide at nearly the speed of light, unlocking new insights into the fundamental building blocks of our universe.
But CERN is not just a place for seasoned experts. Every year, thousands of students and young scientists come to the laboratory, gaining hands-on experience at the frontier of science, says DG Gianotti:
“CERN is the laboratory of the users. So the raison d'etre of CERN is having users from all over the world, in particular from the Member States. I myself had the pleasure in the past to work with the scientists from Charles University, which are of the highest quality.”
The door to CERN is open to young talent — from undergraduate students to PhD candidates and postdoctoral researchers. Fabiola Gianotti encourages them to seize the opportunity.
“I think the most important thing is to apply, for instance, for jobs, for graduate programs. There are different levels. There are the level of undergraduate students, PhD students, postdocs. So this offers a great opportunity to the young people. And at any given time, we have something like thousands of these people.”
With its unique international spirit, groundbreaking research, and openness to new generations of scientists, CERN continues to inspire. And while Czechia may be a small country, its contribution to the future of fundamental science proves that it more than punches above its weight.
