UNIVERSITY OF BASEL – EIKONES CENTER FOR THE THEORY AND HISTORY OF THE IMAGE
University of Basel NOMIS Fellowships
full · phd
- ~€70,000–€90,000 / year (est.)Annual salary band
- eikones founded 2005Host centre
- No teaching dutiesResearch-only role
- 1 monograph or 3 articlesPublication requirement
- German or EnglishLanguages accepted
- Junior and senior scholarsEligibility level
At a glance
full
Funding
€90k
Max amount
Sep 1, 2026
Deadline
All countries (no nationality restriction)
Country
University of Basel – eikones Center for the Theory and History of the Image
Provider
The NOMIS Fellowships at the University of Basel are hosted by eikones, the Center for the Theory and History of the Image, founded in 2005. The fellowships fund junior and senior postdoctoral scholars to spend a research stay in Basel working on the centre's theme, 'Images as Models', which examines how images function as cognitive and cultural tools across the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Fellows receive a salary set to Swiss academic standards, which for a postdoctoral researcher typically falls in the range of about 70,000 to 90,000 euros (est.) per year before deductions, together with travel and conference funding and full access to the university's research infrastructure. There are no teaching or administrative duties, so fellows can focus entirely on their project within an interdisciplinary community. Eligibility requires a completed PhD and a publication record of at least 1 monograph or 3 peer-reviewed articles. Applications are accepted in German or English, and candidates submit a research proposal of 2 to 3 pages plus a writing sample of around 20 pages. Because the salary band, the fellowship dates, and the annual theme are set each cycle, confirm the exact current-cycle figures and the 2026/2027 deadline on the official eikones page before you apply.
What's covered
- Salary — A salary set to Swiss academic standards, typically about ~€70,000–€90,000 (est.) per year for a postdoctoral fellow before deductions.
- Travel and conference funding — Dedicated funding for travel and conference attendance related to the fellowship project.
- Research infrastructure — Full access to the University of Basel's research infrastructure, library, and facilities.
- No teaching load — Fellows carry no teaching or administrative responsibilities and can focus on research.
- Interdisciplinary community — Membership of the eikones research community, including workshops, seminars, and collaboration opportunities (in-kind value ~€5,000 (est.) per year in events and resources).
How to apply
Applications are submitted through the University of Basel's online portal with a combined PDF of supporting documents.
- Develop your research proposal — Write a 2 to 3 page research proposal (including references) tied to the 'Images as Models' theme.
- Assemble your documents — Gather your CV, doctoral certificate, two referee contacts, and a writing sample of about 20 pages.
- Combine into one PDF — Merge the CV, referee contacts, doctoral certificate, proposal, and writing sample into a single PDF file.
- Upload via the portal — Upload the combined PDF under the 'Resume' field and your cover letter separately under the 'Cover Letter' field.
- Submit before the deadline — Submit the complete application through the portal before the published closing date; only complete applications are considered.
Eligibility
QualificationA PhD or equivalent doctoral degree from a recognised institution.
Publication recordEither one scholarly monograph (such as a doctoral dissertation) or three peer-reviewed journal articles or book chapters.
Research fitA research proposal addressing the theme 'Images as Models' in science or art.
LanguageFluency in German or English; applications are accepted in either language.
Applicants whose primary field is outside the listed disciplines may still apply if their project is relevant to the 'Images as Models' theme.
Eligible countries
All countries (no nationality restriction)
Deadlines
2026/2027 fellowship year~1 September 2026 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed on the quality and originality of the research proposal, its fit with the 'Images as Models' theme, the applicant's publication record, and the contribution the project would make to interdisciplinary knowledge. Exact start and end dates are arranged with successful applicants.
Verified sources
- eikones, University of Basel (official)eikones.philhist.unibas.chofficial
About the provider
eikones – Center for the Theory and History of the Image is a research centre at the University of Basel, founded in 2005, dedicated to studying how images work as cognitive and cultural tools across science and art. It hosts the NOMIS Fellowships for junior and senior scholars.
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 Fellowships?
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Scholars of any nationality who hold a PhD in a relevant field across the humanities, social sciences, or natural sciences can apply.
What does 'fully funded' mean for this fellowship?
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It includes a salary at Swiss academic standards, travel and conference funding, and access to research infrastructure, with no teaching or administrative duties.
Is knowledge of German required?
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No. German is helpful, but applications may be submitted in either English or German.
Can I apply if my field is outside the listed disciplines?
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Yes, as long as your project is relevant to the overarching theme of 'Images as Models' in science or art.
Are there fixed start and end dates?
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Exact dates are arranged with successful applicants depending on project needs and institutional scheduling.
What makes a competitive research proposal?
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A strong proposal aligns clearly with the 'Images as Models' theme, shows originality, and explains how the research advances interdisciplinary knowledge.
Can I contact the institution before applying?
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Yes. You can email eikones@unibas.ch with specific questions about eligibility, fit, or the application procedure.
What publication record do I need?
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You need either one scholarly monograph or three peer-reviewed journal articles or book chapters.
How much is the salary?
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The salary follows Swiss academic standards, typically about €70,000–€90,000 (est.) per year for a postdoctoral fellow before deductions; confirm the current figure officially.
How long is the writing sample?
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The writing sample should be about 20 pages and submitted as part of the combined application PDF.
How do I submit my application?
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Combine your CV, referee contacts, certificate, proposal, and writing sample into one PDF uploaded under 'Resume', and upload the cover letter separately under 'Cover Letter'.
Where can I confirm the exact deadline and salary?
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Confirm the current-cycle deadline, salary band, and theme on the official eikones / University of Basel page before applying.