NOMIS Foundation ETH Postdoctoral Fellowship ETH Zürich in Switzerland

The NOMIS Foundation ETH Postdoctoral Fellowship at ETH Zurich supports postdoctoral researchers working within the Centre for Origin and Prevalence of Life (COPL). The fellowship is designed for young interdisciplinary researchers pursuing bold, fundamental, and high-risk projects related to the origin and prevalence of life. It provides a framework for fellows to develop research independence while benefiting from access to a broad international network through COPL, the NOMIS collaborative research network, NCCR Genesis, and the Origins Federation.

The programme is especially suited to candidates whose work spans multiple disciplines, such as molecular biology, microbiology, evolutionary biology, biochemistry, chemical biology, geochemistry, astrochemistry, and astrobiology. COPL is built around interdisciplinary collaboration and aims to connect planetary context with the chemical forms and functions of life. Fellows are expected to participate actively in the Centre’s scientific activities, attend events, and build collaborations both within and beyond the network.

The fellowship lasts three years with the possibility of a one-year extension. The fourth year is conditional on a review 18 months after the start of the fellowship and must be supported financially by the host professor(s). Only one new fellow will be selected for a 2027 start, making this a competitive opportunity with a limited number of awards.

Eligibility is targeted at researchers who have submitted their PhD thesis by the time of application and are normally within three years of earning the doctorate. Applicants are preferably expected to have some postdoctoral experience or interdisciplinary training and must already hold an affiliation with an academic or research institution. A host or co-host professor from the Centre must support the application, and at least one mentor must have a guaranteed ETH position for the full fellowship period.

The application is submitted online through the ETH Zurich Job Board. Required documents include a signed cover letter, proof that the PhD thesis has been submitted, a full CV with publication list, a detailed project description, an invitation letter from a host professor including a statement of financial support for year 4, an ethical issues form, a signed NOMIS code of conduct, and two external reference letters sent directly by email before the deadline. The deadline for the 2026 call is 06 November 2026 at 17:00 Swiss local time.

Questions about the position should be directed to Dr. Mathias Beck. The fellowship is based at ETH Zurich in Zurich, Switzerland.