The NOMIS Foundation and ETH Zurich’s Centre for Origin and Prevalence of Life support early-career researchers investigating how life originates and how widespread it may be. The current call offers up to one fellowship for a 2027 start in Zurich, Switzerland. Official programme details.
Funding and eligibility
Support includes three years of full ETH-standard salary and up to CHF20,000 annually for research and mobility. A fourth year requires successful review and host funding; it is not guaranteed.
You must have submitted your PhD thesis, normally be within three years of your doctorate, and hold an academic or research affiliation. Justified exceptions to the three-year window may be considered. Apply jointly with one or two ETH professors belonging to the Centre; at least one must retain an ETH position throughout the fellowship. Your own interdisciplinary project must fit the Centre and host groups.
Application documents
Prepare a signed, dated cover letter; thesis-submission evidence; dated CV, publications and photograph; the project template and one-page career goals; a host invitation confirming fourth-year financial support; ethics form; signed NOMIS code of conduct; and two external references sent directly by referees. Use the official templates and referee instructions.
Deadline and application
Submit through ETH’s job platform by 6 November 2026, 17:00 Zurich time (CET, UTC+1). Referee letters must also arrive by the deadline.
Frequently asked questions
Is this open to every research topic? No. The origins-and-prevalence-of-life research remit is central.
What should I resolve first? Agree the scientific fit and financial commitments with a prospective host before polishing the application. Ask referees early enough that their separate submissions do not become the final bottleneck.
Independent opportunity summary. This publisher is not the recruiting organisation or funder, does not select applicants and cannot guarantee an award. Apply through the official routes and check current terms before submitting.
