Applications are now open for the “Port to Europe” Postdoc Fellowship at RWTH Aachen University, a prestigious opportunity for early-career researchers from outside the European Union. This fellowship is open to all academic disciplines, welcoming researchers with a strong academic record to conduct innovative projects at one of Europe’s leading technical universities.
The fully funded two-year program offers a competitive salary or stipend, full social security, and access to RWTH’s vibrant research community. The application deadline is October 5, 2025, and there is no application fee. Eligible applicants must hold a PhD (or be nearing completion by February 28, 2026) and secure an RWTH host before applying. You can check out more postdoc positions here
Key Details
- Program: “Port to Europe” Postdoc Fellowship
- Host Institution: RWTH Aachen University, Germany
- Duration: 24 months
- Funding: Fully funded (EG 13 TV-L salary or equivalent stipend, including social security and health insurance)
- Fields: All academic disciplines
- Application Deadline: October 5, 2025
- Application Fee: None
Interested in More Fellowships? Follow links below
Eligibility Criteria
- Location: Must be based outside the European Union at the time of application (all nationalities welcome).
- PhD Status: Must hold a completed doctorate (with no more than 4 years of postdoctoral experience) or be in the final stages of completing a doctorate by February 28, 2026.
- Ineligibility: Applicants who earned their doctorate from RWTH or are currently employed by RWTH are not eligible.
See also: OIST Visiting Scholars Program 2026
How Are Applications Evaluated?
Applications are reviewed by an interdisciplinary committee of RWTH researchers based on:
- Motivation Letter: Clarity and persuasiveness.
- Academic Record: Publications, awards, research funding, teaching, and knowledge transfer activities.
- Collaboration Potential: Fit with RWTH researchers.
- Project Quality: Scientific originality and feasibility.
Check Visiting Fellowships in Austria: Vienna Center for Advanced Studies (ViCAS) Early-Career Fellowship
How to Apply
Submit your application through the RWTH Exploratory Research Space Portal (Apply Here). Required documents (in PDF format):
- Letter of Motivation: Max 1 page.
- Research Proposal: Max 4 pages (excluding references).
- CV and Publication List: Max 5 pages, including up to 10 key publications. Include your ORCID iD, ResearchGate profile, or similar identifier.
- Letter of Support: Max 1 page from your RWTH host.
- PhD Certificate: Or confirmation of submission/completion (with certified translation if not in English or German).
- Previous Degrees: Bachelor’s and Master’s certificates.
Note: Incomplete applications or those missing required documents will not be considered.
Best opportunity: St John’s College Research Fellowship in UK
Finding an RWTH Host
You must secure an RWTH host before applying. Explore RWTH’s research environment (Learn More) and Profile Areas (Explore Profile Areas) to identify potential hosts. Contact them directly to discuss your project. Applications without a confirmed host will not be considered.
