Centre for Origin and Prevalence of Life (COPL), ETH Zurich · ETH Zurich
NOMIS-ETH Postdoctoral Fellowships at ETH Zurich, Switzerland
- Deadline
- Closed
- Level
- Post-doctorate
- Country
- Switzerland
- Language
- English
This postdoctoral position at ETH Zurich is aimed at early-career researchers in astrobiology, the origins and prevalence of life, and interdisciplinary research. The contract pays 100% of the ETH salary standards for three years, with research and travel costs covered, and a fourth year may be possible if the host professor(s) fund it after the mid-term review. Applications must be submitted with one or two ETH Zurich professors who are COPL members, and two external reference letters must reach the Centre directly by November 6, 2026.
Verified on 25 October 2026
This interdisciplinary research position at ETH Zurich is open to early-career researchers holding a PhD. The contract covers salary, research and travel expenses, with an application deadline set for November 6, 2026. Applications close on 6 November 2026. This call is closed.
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Conditions
Blocking requirements
Emploi obligatoire chez ETH Zurich pendant la durée de la bourse
“During the entire fellowship, the NOMIS-ETH Fellows must be employed at ETH Zurich on the basis of a valid working contract.”
Expérience requise : Préférence pour une première expérience postdoctorale et/ou une formation interdisciplinaire; candidatures dans les trois ans suivant l'obtention du doctorat seront prises en considération
Doctorat requis / thèse soumise
“At the time of application, applicants must have submitted their PhD thesis.”
Candidature conjointe avec professeur(s) hôte(s) ETH membre(s) du COPL
“Applications must be submitted jointly by the candidate and one (or two) ETH Zurich professor, who is COPL member and willing to serve as host.”
Lettres de référence envoyées séparément au Managing Office
“two external letters of reference for the candidate, to be e-mailed by the author of the letter directly to the Managing Office of the Center for Origin and Prevalence of Life before the application deadline ([email protected]).”
Au moins un mentor avec poste ETH garanti
“At least one of the host or co-host professors (mentors) must have a guaranteed ETH position for the entire duration of the proposed fellowship.”
To be confirmed
Un professeur hôte ne peut soumettre qu'un candidat par tour
“In each evaluation round, a professor may only submit one candidate as host.”
Assets
Expérience postdoctorale préférée
“Preferably, you already will have acquired your first postdoctoral experience and/or interdisciplinary training.”
Watch points
Utilisation distincte des budgets
“The budget allocated for travel and research costs may not be used to cover salary costs, and vice versa.”
Dr Kafoutchoni’s reading
The key word here is “jointly”: this is not a solo application, but a file submitted with one or two host professors who are COPL members. The other trap is the “fourth year”: it is not granted upfront, it must be prepared from the beginning through a credible mid-term path and a written commitment from the mentor. Since the research budget cannot pay salary costs, you need to show clearly what that envelope makes possible beyond the contract, especially for mobility and interdisciplinary work. The right sequence is simple: secure the host, send the two external references, then submit a one-page project that connects your profile clearly to COPL.
Dr Medard Kafoutchoni · PhD in Genetics & Bioinformatics · Scholarship Strategist.
Deadlines
Deadline: Closed2026-2027
Entretien à distance pour les candidats sélectionnés (fin janvier). Résultats communiqués avant la mi-février. Date de début d'emploi prévue : avril, septembre 2027.
Salary and benefits
- Salary100 % du salaire selon les standards ETH pour trois ans
- Frais de rechercheJusqu'à CHF 20 000 annuellement à utiliser pour les activités de recherche et la mobilité internationale (le budget ne peut pas être utilisé pour couvrir les salaires)
- Quatrième année (extension)Partially covered.Possibilité d'une quatrième année financée par le(s) professeur(s) hôte(s) après un examen de mi-parcours réussi
Also covered: Travel
Countries covered
Researchers who hold a PhD with the thesis already submitted, and who have an existing academic or research affiliation, may apply with one or two ETH Zurich professors who are COPL members. A first postdoctoral experience or interdisciplinary training is preferred, and applications submitted within three years of the PhD will be considered.
Application pathway
A short path from reading the brief to submitting a properly prepared application.
Check the conditions
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Prepare the documents
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Submit on the official site
Use the official application link and respect the deadline for the relevant cycle.
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Documents to prepare or confirm
This list helps you prepare; it does not replace the programme’s official checklist.
- Lettre de motivation signéeCover letter with signature and date
- Preuve de soumission de la thèse de doctoratEvidence that the PhD thesis was at least submitted
- CV complet avec liste de publications et photoComplete CV with publication list and picture; all dates must include month and year
- Description du projet de recherche (template fourni)Project description following template; must include role, synergy with host group and Centre, career goals (1 page), interdisciplinarity and high-risk/innovative character
- Lettre d'invitation du professeur hôte et engagement financier pour la 4e annéeInvitation letter from one of the host professors describing why you are an excellent candidate and a statement of financial support for year 4
- Formulaire relatif aux questions éthiques (template fourni)Completed form concerning ethical issues and research requiring authorization or notification; template provided
- Code de conduite signé (template fourni)Signed NOMIS code of conduct; template document provided
- Deux lettres de référence externes (envoyées par les auteurs)Two external letters of reference to be e-mailed by the author directly to the Managing Office before the deadline
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See the sources
- Page officielle du programme (copl.ethz.ch)Primary source
Prepare for the next opening
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Masterclass "Prepare your scholarship applications for 2027": live session of 2 to 3 hours, replay for 30 days, Thursday 26 November 2026 at 8 pm (Paris and Cotonou time, 7 pm in Abidjan). You leave with a one-page plan for 2027 at your level.
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Prepare the next cycle
Chercheur sans frontières
The call is not open today: this is the time to build the application. Volume 3 of the collection: choose between postdoc, fellowship and funding, map host teams and build a concept note that opens the conversation.
See the book12,500 CFA francs
These briefs are drawn from official sources on the date shown. Programmes change their rules without notice: always check the provider’s own site before applying.