ETH Zurich 2023 Postdoctoral Fellowship

The ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship programme (ETH Fellows) supports incoming postdoctoral researchers at ETH Zurich. The programme is intended to foster young researchers who have already demonstrated scientific excellence in the early stages of their careers.

Applications have to be made jointly by the candidate and the potential host, who must be an ETH Zurich professor and willing to act as the mentor of the fellow. A professor may only submit with one candidate in each evaluation round. There must be convincing synergies between the host (group) and the ETH Fellow. The fellowships are intended as early support towards academic independence, hence priority will be given to applicants who propose their own projects. Thus, it is important that applicants come up with their own ideas and draft the application themselves, and that the applicant and mentor have not closely collaborated prior to the fellowship.

The duration of an ETH Fellowship is two years and cannot be prolonged. The fellowship is competitive with only a limited number of fellowships available each year. The success rate was about 25% in the last rounds.  

Applications from candidates of all genders and backgrounds are strongly encouraged. We monitor success rates in order to avoid potential biases.

• Table of Content
• About ETH Zurich
• ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Aim and Benefits of ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Requirements for ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship Qualification
• Documents Required for Application
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About ETH Zurich

A brief overview of more than 150 years of ETH Zurich history   Established in 1855 as the Federal Polytechnic School, ETH Zurich has, from the outset, been a national centre for education with international appeal, attracting talent from all over the world. The successful combination of a cosmopolitan outlook with national roots made the young educational institution one of the driving forces behind industrialisation in Switzerland: it brought the necessary expertise into the country, trained technical specialists and helped set up groundbreaking national infrastructures. ... continue reading

ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship

Aim and Benefits of ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship

The ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship 2023 offers a range of benefits to the selected candidates. Some of the key benefits include:

• Fellows’ salaries will be fully covered based on ETH Zurich standards.
• Fellows will receive CHF 10,000 per year for research-related expenses.
• Fellows will receive an allowance for travel and mobility/.
• This fellowship will be covering additional expenses.
• Fellows will get to work alongside renowned professors and researchers from around the world.
• Fellows will have access to world-class laboratories.
• Fellows will get the opportunity to explore Switzerland.

Requirements for ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship Qualification

Applicants must fulfill the following criteria to be considered for the ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship program:

• Applicants must have completed their Ph.D. at a university other than ETH Zurich University or the University of Zurich within two years before the deadline.
• Candidates who are still working towards their Ph.D. must provide a certificate signed by their advisor or department chair stating when they plan to defend their thesis.
• Applicants should not have lived or done their main work or studies in Switzerland for more than twelve months in the three years before the deadline.
• Applicants must not have spent more than six months doing their main work or studies at ETH Zurich or the University of Zurich in the last three years.
• Applicants must have at least one scientific publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
• If eligible applicants do not meet these requirements, they will be rejected.

Documents Required for Application

Here’s the list of the following documents needed to apply for the ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship in Switzerland:

1. A copy of passport: A copy of the passport is required.

1. Research Project Description:

A detailed description of the research project, including the specific role is required from the candidate. The project should also explain how it connects to the ongoing research in the host group.

1. Detailed CV:

A detailed CV of the candidate, including a list of publications and a recent photograph, is needed.

1. Host Professor’s CV:

A brief CV of the host professor is also required.

1. Motivation letter:

A motivation letter of a maximum of one page is required.

1. Invitation Letter by Host Professor:

An invitation letter from the host professor is needed, emphasizing the candidate’s excellence and suitability for the fellowship.

1. Certificate of Defense:

If the candidate has not yet completed their doctorate, a certification of the planned defense date signed by the advisor or department chair should be included.

1. Reference Letters:

Two reference letters for the candidate need to be emailed directly to the Grants Office by the referees. The reference letters should be sent at least 10 days before the submission deadline.

Application Deadline

How to Apply

1. Applications must be submitted electronically in PDF format using the ETH Zurich grant application system, called eResearch.
2. The project description template can be downloaded from the respective page.
3. Applications must be submitted jointly by the candidate and a potential host, who should be an ETH Zurich professor willing to act as the mentor.
4. Each professor can submit only one candidate in each evaluation round.
5. Priority will be given to applicants proposing their projects, emphasizing academic independence.
6. Applicants should generate their ideas and draft the application themselves.

Note: The applicant and mentor should not have had significant prior collaboration before the fellowship.

For more details, visit ETH Zurich website.