INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AUSTRIA (ISTA) AND THE NOMIS FOUNDATION
NOMIS-ISTA Fellowship
full · phd
- 3-year full fundingDuration
- ~EUR 75,586/year (gross)Annual salary
- 2 fellowships per yearAwards available
- Dual cross-disciplinary supervisionMentorship
- All nationalitiesWho can apply
- Up to 3-month annual secondmentExternal collaboration
At a glance
full
Funding
€76k
Max amount
Sep 18, 2026
Deadline
All countries (open to all nationalities)
Country
Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) and the NOMIS Foundation
Provider
The NOMIS-ISTA Fellowship is a fully funded 3-year postdoctoral fellowship hosted at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), located just outside Vienna, and funded jointly by ISTA and the Swiss-based NOMIS Foundation. The fellowship supports interdisciplinary postdoctoral research that crosses traditional field boundaries, and exactly 2 fellowships are awarded each year through a two-stage selection process. Each fellow designs a cross-disciplinary project co-supervised by two ISTA faculty members from different fields, and may propose an external co-supervisor where the needed expertise is not available at ISTA, with up to 3 months of secondment per year permitted with that external supervisor. The fellowship pays an annual gross salary starting from EUR 75,586 and provides access to ISTA's research infrastructure and support units, dual scientific mentorship, integration into the ISTA and NOMIS research networks, optional teaching, and career-development and leadership training. Applicants must hold a PhD or expect to complete it within 8 months of the deadline, are open to all nationalities and disciplines supported at ISTA (including biology, computer science, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, and chemistry), and must not have been employed at ISTA before mid-2024. Applications are submitted through the official NOMIS-ISTA portal, and shortlisted candidates are interviewed remotely roughly 8 to 10 weeks after the deadline. Because the salary figure, number of awards, and closing date are set each cycle, confirm the current 2026/2027 details on the official ISTA page before applying.
What's covered
- Postdoctoral salary — An annual gross salary starting from EUR 75,586 for the full 3-year fellowship, paid as an employment contract with ISTA.
- Research infrastructure — Access to ISTA's advanced research facilities, scientific service units, and support staff, valued well beyond ~EUR 100,000 (est.) over the term.
- Dual mentorship — Co-supervision by two ISTA faculty members from different disciplines, enabling a genuinely interdisciplinary project.
- Career development — Leadership training, career-development support, and optional teaching assignments to build an independent research profile.
- External secondments — Funding for up to 3 months of secondment per year with an external co-supervisor where the required expertise is not available at ISTA.
How to apply
Applicants build a cross-disciplinary project with two ISTA faculty co-supervisors and apply through the official NOMIS-ISTA application portal.
- Design a cross-disciplinary project — Develop a research project that bridges two fields and is co-supervised by two ISTA faculty members from different disciplines.
- Arrange an external co-supervisor if needed — If ISTA lacks the required expertise, propose an external co-supervisor and plan for up to 3 months of secondment per year.
- Prepare the application package — Complete the application materials, including your research proposal, CV, and the Ethics Self-Assessment Form, following the Guide for Applicants.
- Submit via the official portal — Submit the full application through the official NOMIS-ISTA application portal before the deadline around 18 September 2026 (est.).
- Attend a remote interview — If shortlisted, take part in a remote interview approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the deadline.
Eligibility
QualificationHold a PhD or expect to obtain one within 8 months of the application deadline.
Research focusDemonstrate a strong interest in interdisciplinary research that crosses field boundaries.
Career stageBe an early-career researcher, ideally with some postdoctoral experience.
AvailabilityBe ready to start the fellowship within 6 months of selection.
ISTA historyMust not have been employed at ISTA before 13 June 2024.
Each project must be co-supervised by two ISTA faculty members from different disciplines; an external co-supervisor may be proposed if the required expertise is not available at ISTA.
Eligible countries
All countries (open to all nationalities)
Deadlines
2026/2027 fellowship cycle~18 September 2026 (est.)
Selection
Two fellowships are awarded each year through a two-stage selection process. Applications are first reviewed on the strength of the cross-disciplinary proposal, the candidate's track record, and the fit of the two proposed ISTA co-supervisors; shortlisted candidates are then invited to a remote interview around 8 to 10 weeks after the deadline. Final decisions weigh scientific quality, interdisciplinary ambition, and feasibility. Confirm the current selection steps for the 2026/2027 cycle on the official ISTA page.
Verified sources
- ISTA — NOMIS-ISTA Fellowshipista.ac.atofficial
- NOMIS Foundationnomisfoundation.chofficial
About the provider
The Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), founded in 2009 and located near Vienna, is a research institution focused on basic science across biology, computer science, mathematics, neuroscience, physics, and chemistry. The NOMIS Foundation, based in Switzerland, funds high-risk, insight-driven research across the sciences and humanities, and partners with ISTA on this interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellowship.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the NOMIS-ISTA Fellowship?
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Early-career researchers of any nationality and from any discipline supported at ISTA who hold a PhD (or will within 8 months of the deadline) and meet the start-date conditions.
How long is the fellowship and how is it funded?
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It is a fully funded 3-year postdoctoral fellowship paid by ISTA and the NOMIS Foundation.
What salary does the fellowship offer?
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An annual gross salary starting from EUR 75,586, plus research and professional-development benefits.
How many fellowships are awarded?
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Exactly 2 fellowships are awarded each year through a two-stage selection process.
Do I need postdoctoral experience to apply?
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Some postdoctoral or interdisciplinary experience is preferred, but strong PhD graduates with a compelling proposal are also encouraged to apply.
Can I choose a co-supervisor from outside ISTA?
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Yes. If ISTA lacks the required expertise, you may propose an external co-supervisor, with up to 3 months of secondment per year permitted.
How many ISTA supervisors must a project have?
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Each project must be co-supervised by two ISTA faculty members from different disciplines.
Is there a restriction on prior ISTA employment?
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Yes. Applicants must not have been employed at ISTA before 13 June 2024.
When are interviews held?
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Shortlisted candidates are invited to a remote interview approximately 8 to 10 weeks after the application deadline.
How soon must I start after selection?
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You must be ready to begin the fellowship within 6 months of selection.
Where is ISTA located?
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The Institute of Science and Technology Austria is located in Klosterneuburg, just outside Vienna, Austria.
Where can I confirm the current details?
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Confirm the current 2026/2027 salary, number of awards, and exact deadline on the official ISTA NOMIS-ISTA Fellowship page before applying.