The ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers researchers from around the world the opportunity to conduct their research without financial constraints. This fully funded program aims to attract exceptional young researchers by providing them with an ideal environment for independent research projects. Additionally, research fellows will have the chance to collaborate with distinguished professors, industry partners, and fellow researchers, thereby enhancing their scientific expertise. This article will provide information on the eligibility criteria, benefits, and application process for this unique fellowship in Switzerland.
ETH Zurich, a renowned institution for science and technology, is recognized as one of the world’s leading research universities. With 16 departments offering a wide range of subjects, from engineering to architecture, ETH Zurich is dedicated to groundbreaking research and innovation. Situated in Zurich, Switzerland’s largest city, the university not only offers outstanding education but also provides students with various cultural and leisure activities. Ranked 9th in the QS ranking of universities, this fellowship in Europe presents an excellent opportunity for researchers to grow intellectually, explore scientific frontiers, and establish international networks.
The ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship 2023 aims to support incoming researchers at ETH Zurich. Therefore, both applicants and potential hosts (ETH Zurich professors) willing to act as mentors for the fellows must submit applications. This international research fellowship is designed to assist young researchers who have demonstrated potential in the early stages of their careers, making preference for those who have proposed their own ideas. Applicants are expected to independently develop their ideas and draft the application, and the mentor will collaborate with the applicant only after the application is submitted.
The ETH Zurich Fellowship has a duration of two years, during which fellows become part of one of ETH Zurich’s numerous departments or research groups. This affiliation grants them access to state-of-the-art facilities, cutting-edge technology, and a supportive research ecosystem that facilitates their research objectives. Due to the competitive nature of the fellowship, only a limited number of scholarships are available each year. The university carefully monitors the success rate of applicants to ensure fairness, with last year’s applications having a success rate of only 25%. Applicants from all genders and backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
Fellowship Details:
- Country: Switzerland
- Financial coverage: Fully Funded
- Deadline: September 1, 2023
Eligibility Criteria:
- Ineligibility: Applicants who have completed their postdoctoral at ETH Zurich University or the University of Zurich are not eligible.
- Postdoctoral Completion: Applicants must have completed their postdoctoral (PhD) a maximum of two years before the submission deadline.
- Planned Defense: Those who still need to complete their doctorate must submit a certification of the planned date of their defense signed by the advisor or department chair.
- Residence Restriction: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Switzerland for more than twelve months in the three years immediately before the submission deadline.
- Activity Restriction: Applicants must not have carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) at either ETH Zurich, EPF Lausanne, a research institute of the ETH domain (PSI, WSL, Empa and Eawag), or the University of Zurich for more than six months in the three years immediately before the submission deadline.
- Publication or Prize: Applicants must have at least one scientific publication in a peer-reviewed journal or be awarded a prize for their doctoral thesis.
- Formal Rejection: Eligible applicants would be rejected on formal grounds.
Benefits:
- Salary Coverage: The fellowship covers the fellows’ salary at a rate of 100% based on ETH standards.
- Research Expenses: ETH Zurich University will provide the fellows with CHF 10,000 per year for research expenses.
- Expense Coverage: ETH Zurich will cover various expenses, including travel/mobility allowances and cost contributions.
- Separation of Budgets: The travel and research costs budget cannot be used to cover salary costs, and vice versa.
- Cultural Opportunity: Fellows have the opportunity to visit Switzerland and explore European culture.
- Collaborative Environment: Fellows will have the chance to work alongside professors and researchers from around the world in world-class laboratories.
Application Process:
- Online Application: The application process for the ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Research Fellowship is conducted online.
- Careful Form Completion: Applicants must diligently fill out the form, ensuring the accuracy of the provided information.
- Submission Format: The application must be submitted in PDF format using the ETH Zurich grant application system.
- Evaluation Responsibility: The evaluation of applicants is carried out by the ETH Zurich Research Commission.
- Application Opening: Applications will be open from 14 July 2023; however, applicants are advised to prepare their applications in advance.
- Guidelines: Before initiating the application process, it is important to review the guidelines available to ensure adherence to the requirements.
Application Deadline:
The application deadline for the ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship is September 1, 2023.
Apply Now
