A completely supported opportunity for early-career academics worldwide to carry out independent research at one of the top scientific and technology universities in the world is the ETH Zurich Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 in Switzerland. Fellows will collaborate closely with leading ETH academics, business leaders, and international researchers, obtaining invaluable experience and access to state-of-the-art resources.
The two-year fellowship encourages applicants’ original research ideas and integrates them within ETH Zurich’s departments or research groups. Applications must be submitted in conjunction with a prospective mentor from ETH Zurich who has never worked with the applicant before.
The university, which is situated in Zurich, provides a lively cultural atmosphere in addition to academic brilliance. This fellowship is perfect for researchers who want to further their careers and make a positive impact on science worldwide because of its competitive acceptance rate and emphasis on innovation.
Host Country: Switzerland
University: Swiss Universities
Opportunity Type: Fellowship
Eligibility Country: International Students
Financial Coverage: Fully Funded
Eligibility Criteria:
- Candidates with PhDs from the University of Zurich or ETH Zurich are not eligible.
- A PhD must be held, or it must be finished within the following six months.
- The PhD must have been conferred no more than two years prior to the submission date if it has already been finished.
- A certified statement of the scheduled defense date, signed by the department chair or advisor, is required of applicants who have not yet finished their PhD.
- In the three years before the application deadline, the applicant must not have spent more than 12 months living or engaging in their primary activity (job, study, etc.) in Switzerland.
- must not have spent more than six months in the previous three years working or studying at the University of Zurich, EPFL, ETH-domain research institutions (PSI, WSL, Empa, Eawag), or ETH Zurich.
- must have won an award for their PhD thesis or have at least one peer-reviewed scientific publication.
- Applications that don’t fit these requirements will be officially rejected.
Benefits:
- According to ETH Zurich compensation regulations, the fellow’s entire remuneration is covered by the ETH Zurich Fellowship 2026.
- Each year, fellows are given CHF 10,000 to help with research-related costs.
- ETH Zurich also covers other expenses, such as travel and mobility allowances.
- Budgets for travel and research are completely distinct and cannot be used to pay salaries or the other way around.
- Fellowship recipients have the chance to live in Switzerland and learn about European culture.
- Collaborate with renowned academics and global researchers in top-notch labs.
Deadline: September 1, 2025
