Are you finishing a PhD and looking for a fully funded postdoctoral research position in Europe? The ISTA Fellow program at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) is now open for applications, offering early career researchers the chance to lead their own project inside one of Europe’s most respected interdisciplinary research campuses.
This guide breaks down everything applicants need to know about the ISTA Fellow postdoctoral fellowship, including eligibility, funding, required documents, and the exact deadline for 2026. For more BS, MS,Phd, Postdoc Positions visit here.
What Is the ISTA Fellow Program?
The ISTA Fellow program supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers across every scientific discipline represented at ISTA. Rather than being assigned a fixed project, fellows design their own research proposal in partnership with a host supervisor, then carry it out over a two year, full time contract on the ISTA campus in Austria.
Up to 10 fellows will be recruited under the 2026 call. Each fellow works within a research group capped at 15 people, which keeps supervision close and mentorship genuinely personal rather than symbolic.
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Key Benefits of Becoming an ISTA Fellow:
Fellows joining the program receive a well rounded package designed to support both the science and the scientist behind it.
- Two year, full time employment contract with a minimum gross salary of 73,500 EUR
- Full social security coverage throughout the fellowship
- A project specific budget covering consumables, travel, conference fees, membership fees, and internal service costs
- Access to shared scientific facilities including scientific computing, imaging and optics, cryo electron microscopy, nanofabrication, pre clinical research space, and a NMR facility
- On campus accommodation while searching for permanent housing, subject to availability
- On site daycare for children from age 3 months, subject to availability
- Visa support through ISTA’s International Office
- German language courses offered on campus to help fellows settle into life in Austria
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Who Can Apply? Eligibility Requirements:
Before preparing an application, check that your background matches the following requirements.
- You must hold a PhD or equivalent by the application deadline, or expect to complete it before your fellowship begins, no later than 15 June 2027
- A copy of your diploma or proof of successful defense will be required before any contract is issued
- Applicants already employed at ISTA before 1 September 2026 are not eligible
- All research groups at ISTA are eligible except Astronomy groups, which are excluded due to the separate Sirius Fellowship in Astrophysics
- Your proposed research must genuinely align with your chosen host supervisor’s expertise and available infrastructure
Applicants are responsible for confirming that their research idea fits the interests of their intended host group. Projects that fall outside a group’s expertise risk being marked ineligible during the initial screening.
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Which Research Fields Are Covered?
ISTA welcomes proposals across a wide scientific range, including Biology, Neuroscience, Mathematics, Data and Computer Science, Physics, Chemistry, and Earth Science. The program takes a bottom up approach, meaning fellows are free to shape their own research question rather than fit into a predetermined project.
Fellowship Duration, Salary, and Start Dates:
Selected fellows sign a two year contract with a minimum gross salary of 73,500 EUR plus full social security coverage. Unless the award letter states otherwise, fellowships must commence sometime between 15 December 2026 and 15 June 2027.
How to Apply for the ISTA Fellow Program:
The application process runs entirely through ISTA’s online system and involves a few clear steps.
- Create an account at apply.app.ist.ac.at
- Verify your account using the confirmation email
- Complete every section of the online form and upload all required documents
- Submit your application before the deadline
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Documents You Must Prepare:
All applicants need to submit a specific set of documents in PDF format, using A4 pages, Times New Roman or Arial font of at least 11pt, at least single line spacing, and margins of at least 2cm on every side.
- Research proposal, maximum 4 pages excluding references, structured under four required headings: Project Vision, Methodology and Approach, Impact, and Scientific Match
- CV, maximum 2 pages, plus a full publication list including authors, titles, journal names, volume and page details, and year
- Summary of previous achievements, maximum 1 page, covering up to three significant contributions to research, the wider scientific community, or society
- Completed ethics self assessment form
- Optional supporting documents such as diplomas or transcripts
Because ISTA has signed the CoARA agreement, applicants must avoid referencing citation counts, journal rankings, or h index values anywhere in their materials.
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Choosing Your Host Supervisor:
Every applicant must name a host supervisor whose research group they plan to join. It is essential to contact this supervisor directly before submitting an application, since the proposal must reflect a genuine agreement between both parties. A secondary supervisor, either at ISTA or an external professor, can also be listed when a small part of the project needs outside expertise.
Referee Letters:
Applicants must provide contact details for three referees, typically former professors or senior scientists who know their work well. At least two of the three reference letters must be submitted by the deadline, or the application will be rejected as incomplete. Note that your intended host supervisor cannot serve as one of your referees.
How Applications Are Evaluated:
Once an application clears the initial eligibility check, it moves to the Selection Committee and faculty reviewers, who assess three main areas.
- Scientific excellence of the proposal, focusing on quality, originality, and feasibility
- Scientific excellence of the applicant, based on the CV, achievement summary, and reference letters
- Scientific match between the applicant’s expertise and the chosen host group
Final award decisions follow a discussion and ranking session at the Selection Committee meeting. All applicants receive an outcome notification within 4 months of the deadline.
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Important Dates to Remember:
- Application deadline: 8 September 2026, 14:00 CEST
- Fellowship start window: between 15 December 2026 and 15 June 2027
- Notification of results: within 4 months of the deadline
Frequently Asked Questions:
Who is eligible for the ISTA Fellow program?
Applicants who hold a PhD by the deadline, or who will complete one before their fellowship starts no later than 15 June 2027, are eligible, provided they were not already employed at ISTA before 1 September 2026 and their project aligns with an eligible host research group.
What is the deadline for the ISTA Fellow 2026 call?
The closing date for the 2026 Call for Proposals is 8 September 2026 at 14:00 CEST.
How much does the ISTA Fellow fellowship pay?
Fellows receive a two year, full time contract with a minimum gross salary of 73,500 EUR along with full social security coverage.
Can Astronomy researchers apply to the ISTA Fellow program?
No. Astronomy research groups are excluded from this program because they fall under a separate initiative, the Sirius Fellowship in Astrophysics.
How many documents do I need to submit?
You will need a research proposal, a CV with publication list, a summary of previous achievements, a completed ethics self assessment form, and referee details, with optional diplomas or transcripts if relevant.
Where can I apply for the ISTA Fellow program?
Applications are submitted through apply.app.ist.ac.at, and further program details are available at ista.ac.at/en/education/postdocs/.
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Tips for a Strong Application:
- Contact potential hosts early and tailor your project to their expertise.
- Ensure your proposal is clear, ambitious yet feasible, and accessible.
- Highlight your unique contributions and future potential without relying on metrics.
- Secure strong reference letters from mentors who know your work well.
- Double-check all formatting and page limits.
- Submit well before the deadline to allow time for referee uploads.
Contact and Additional Resources:
- For questions about the ISTA-Fellow program, consult the official Guide for Applicants or reach out to: ista-fellow@ista.ac.at
- Application portal: apply.app.ist.ac.at
- Program information: ista.ac.at/en/education/postdocs/
- This fellowship represents a rare chance to advance your research career at one of Europe’s most dynamic science institutes. If you are passionate about discovery and ready for the next step, prepare your materials and apply by September 8, 2026.
Don’t miss this opportunity to join a community committed to excellence and innovation.
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