Summary
The Branco Weiss Fellowship offers an exceptional opportunity for courageous and outstanding postdocs to pursue unconventional research projects that transcend traditional disciplinary boundaries. This prestigious fellowship, hosted by ETH Zurich, supports innovative research for up to five years, providing substantial funding and a platform for intellectual freedom and interdisciplinary dialogue. We are seeking visionary researchers whose projects depart significantly from mainstream approaches and who are eager to engage with broader societal, cultural, political, or economic issues.
Designation
Branco Weiss Fellow (Postdoctoral Researcher)
Research Area
Interdisciplinary, unconventional research departing from the mainstream of your discipline, with a willingness to engage in dialogue on relevant social, cultural, political or economic issues beyond the frontiers of your particular discipline.
Location
Greater Zurich Area, Switzerland (Fellows are expected to travel to and attend the annual symposium in Zurich in person).
Eligibility/Qualification
- You must officially hold a PhD by January 15, 2027. This means your PhD defense must be successfully passed before this date.
- Your PhD must have been obtained a maximum of five years prior to January 15, 2027.
- You must not hold or have held a faculty-equivalent position (e.g., assistant professor or lecturer).
- Your proposed project must depart significantly from mainstream research in your discipline.
- You must have a record of outstanding scientific achievement.
- You must demonstrate in your proposal a willingness to engage in dialogue on relevant social, cultural, political, or economic issues beyond your specific discipline.
- You must be willing and able to travel to the Greater Zurich Area and attend the annual symposium in person.
- You must ensure that you are the only candidate your chosen mentor is supporting during this application round.
- Acceptable Delays: Only parental leave or inability to work due to illness or accident are accepted reasons for delays after attaining your PhD. Official confirmation of leave(s) must be sent via email to brancoweissfellowship@ethz.ch before application submission (ideally 1-2 months before the deadline). The number of weeks of interrupted research work is accepted as an extension (maximum 1 year in total). Only periods of full-time leave are considered.
Job Description
As a Branco Weiss Fellow, you will undertake an ambitious, five-year research project characterized by its originality and departure from conventional scientific approaches. The fellowship is structured into two phases: a two-and-a-half-year pioneer phase, followed by a two-and-a-half-year exploitation phase, contingent on a satisfactory mid-term evaluation and site visit. Fellows are encouraged to seek faculty positions during their exploitation phase, and commencing an academic position will not result in the termination of the fellowship after the first year. The fellowship provides substantial funding to cover all legitimate research costs, including salary, equipment, travel, consumables, and personnel.
Funding
A Branco Weiss Fellowship amounts to a maximum of CHF 600,000 for up to five years. This funding can be utilized to cover all legitimate research expenses, including salary, equipment, travel, consumables, and personnel.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted via the online form. Please ensure all eligibility criteria are met before applying. If you have previously applied and were not selected, you are welcome to apply again.
Last Date for Apply
January 15, 2027, 5 p.m. CET
Apply Link
Please refer to the official Branco Weiss Fellowship website for the online application form and detailed instructions: https://brancoweissfellowship.org/who-should-apply/eligibility-duration-and-funding/
Timelines
The evaluation process involves the directorate, selected faculty members of ETH Zurich, and external reviewers. Short-listed candidates will be invited for personal interviews in Zurich, Switzerland.
- January 15, 2027, 5 p.m. CET: Final deadline for applications via the online form.
- May 2027: Notification and invitation for a personal interview sent to a final selection of candidates; notification sent to candidates whose application has been rejected.
- June 2027: Candidates interviewed by a panel in Zurich, Switzerland; final selection of fellows announced.
- October 1 to December 31, 2027: Fellows commence their research projects.
