ISTA-Fellow International Postdoctoral Fellowship in Austria 2026

Applications are now open for the ISTA-Fellow International Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 at the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA). This prestigious, fully funded two-year postdoctoral program supports outstanding early career researchers who wish to conduct innovative basic research in an interdisciplinary and highly collaborative international environment. The program is open to candidates from all scientific disciplines represented at ISTA. You can check out BS, MS, PhD and postdoc positions here.

Key Details:

• Degree Level: Postdoctoral Fellowship
• Host Country: Austria
• Host Institution: Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA)
• Program Duration: 2 years (full-time)
• Application Deadline: 8 September 2026 (14:00 CEST)
• Application Fee: None
• Open For: All nationalities
• Funding Type: Fully funded

What This Scholarship Offers:

• A 2-year full-time employment contract with a competitive gross salary of at least 73,500 EUR per year
• Full social security coverage
• A dedicated budget for research costs including consumables, travel, conference participation, memberships, and use of scientific facilities
• Access to state-of-the-art shared scientific infrastructure (imaging, microscopy, computing, nanofabrication, NMR, etc.)
• Close mentorship from leading faculty members in small research groups (max 15 people)
• On-campus housing options (subject to availability)
• On-site daycare services for children (from 3 months old, subject to availability)
• Visa and relocation support through the International Office
• German language courses to help integration into Austrian society
• An international, interdisciplinary, and collaborative research environment with English as the working language

Also Check: PhD, Postdoc & Professor positions at the University of Freiburg, Germany.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must hold a PhD degree (or equivalent) by the application deadline or expect to complete their PhD no later than 15 June 2027.
• Researchers already employed at ISTA before 1 September 2026 are not eligible.
• The research project must align with the expertise and infrastructure of an eligible ISTA host research group.
• Applicants must contact their potential host supervisor(s) and obtain agreement before submitting the application.
• Astronomy groups are not eligible for the ISTA-Fellow program (due to the separate Sirius Fellowship).
• All required documents, including at least two reference letters, must be submitted by the deadline.

Also Check: The Kennan Institute Digital Fellowship 2026-2027

Fields Available:

• Biology
• Neuroscience
• Mathematics
• Data and Computer Science
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Earth Science

Also Check: The Kennan Institute Digital Fellowship 2026-2027

Required Application Documents:

1. Research Proposal (maximum 4 pages, excluding references)

Use these exact section headings:

• Project Vision – Context, scope, purpose, and objectives
• Methodology/Approach – Strategy, work plan, predicted outcomes, and potential pitfalls
• Impact – Importance, novelty, and potential impact
• Scientific Match – Rationale for choosing the host group and fit with your expertise

2. CV (maximum 2 pages) and Publication List

Include full author lists (use “et al.” for publications with more than 20 authors), titles, journals, and DOIs where possible.

3. Summary of Previous Achievements (1 page)

Highlight up to 3 significant achievements with concrete examples. Focus on contributions to knowledge, support of peers/community, and broader society. Avoid citation metrics, h-index, or journal rankings (ISTA follows CoARA).

Also Check: The Kennan Institute Digital Fellowship 2026-2027

Additional Requirements:

• Scientific abstract (maximum 300 words)
• Up to 5 project keywords
• Ethics Self-Assessment Form (must be completed)
• Names and contact details of three referees (your potential ISTA host cannot be a referee)
• Optional: Diplomas and transcripts

Formatting Rules for Documents 1–3:

• A4 page format
• Times New Roman or Arial, at least 11 pt
• At least single line spacing
• Minimum 2 cm margins on all sides

Also Check: Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPR) Australia

Evaluation Criteria:

The Selection Committee evaluates applications based on:

• Scientific Excellence: Proposal – Quality, innovation, and feasibility (focus on sections A–C)
• Scientific Excellence: Applicant – Expertise, achievements, career trajectory, and potential
• Scientific Match – Alignment with host group and mutual benefit

Up to 10 fellowships will be awarded.

How to Apply

1. Carefully read the official Guide for Applicants guide for applicants
2. Create an account
3. Verify your account through the confirmation email.
4. Fill in all required information in the online form.
5. Upload the required documents in PDF format (following the specified formatting rules).
6. Enter details of three referees and notify them through the system

Also Check: Deakin University Postgraduate Research Scholarship (DUPR) Australia