The NOMIS-ISTA Fellowship Program offers excellent postdoctoral researchers the freedom to work on questions at the intersection of two or more scientific disciplines in a unique research environment, while also providing the security of outstanding scientific mentorship from proven leaders in their respective fields. A cross-discipline project proposal, to be co-supervised by two group leaders from different disciplines , identifies projects and fellows who demonstrate great flexibility,…
creativity and collaboration.
All research fields supported at ISTA will be eligible (see https://ista.ac.at/en/research). Should the specific interdisciplinary expertise required for the research project not be available at ISTA, an external secondary supervisor can be proposed. This external supervisor can host the fellow (secondment) for up to three months per fellowship year.
NOMIS and ISTA award two NOMIS Fellowships annually, following a two-stage application process (including interview).
The closing date for the 2026 Call for Proposals is September 10, 2026 (14:00 CEST)
Benefits of a NOMIS Fellowship
- Cutting-edge and state-of-the-art resources (scientific service units, research and travel funds)
- Freedom to explore high-risk concepts
- Three-year fully funded position with an internationally competitive salary (min. 76’986 EUR gross) and full social security coverage
- Open, collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment
- Enabling framework in which to develop interdisciplinary skills; dual mentorship
- Teaching within ISTA encouraged (but not required), aiming to create the most conducive environment for the creation and transfer of knowledge
- Research integrity and leadership training, as well as career development support
- Joining ISTA’s and NOMIS Foundation’s global networks of exceptional, pioneering researchers
Eligibility Requirements
- At the time of recruitment (i.e. within 8 months of the application deadline), applicants must have been awarded their PhD and preferably have acquired their first postdoctoral experience and/or interdisciplinary training. However, the NOMIS Fellowship Selection Panel will also consider exceptionally promising candidates who fall outside the above criteria.
- Applicants must have an existing affiliation to an academic/research institution (note: internal applicants must not have been employed at ISTA before January 1, 2026.
- Following the initial evaluation round, top-ranked candidates must be available for a remote interview between November 1, 2026 and November 21, 2026.
- If successful, the NOMIS Fellowship must commence within six months of notification.
Your application must contain all required information and documents (including the reference letters from your referees) and have been submitted to our online system by 14:00 CEST on the date of the application deadline.
