The NOMIS–ISTA Fellowship Programme is a highly competitive international postdoctoral fellowship co-funded by the NOMIS Foundation and the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA). It supports exceptional researchers in the natural and mathematical sciences who wish to pursue cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research in Austria under dual mentorship.
All research fields supported at ISTA will be eligible (see https://ist.ac.at/en/research). Should the specific interdisciplinary expertise required for the proposed research not be available at ISTA, an external secondary supervisor can be proposed. This external supervisor can provide the fellow with a secondment of up to three months per fellowship year.
NOMIS and ISTA shall award two NOMIS fellowships annually, following a two-stage application process (including interview).
Benefits of a NOMIS-ISTA Fellowship
- Cutting-edge and state-of-the-art resources: scientific service units, research and travel funds
- Freedom to explore high-risk concepts; three-year fully funded position (min. salary 75,586 EUR (gross) annually)
- Annual research budget: €10,000
- 3-year duration
- Open, collaborative, basic and interdisciplinary research environment
- Enabling framework in which to develop interdisciplinary skills; dual mentorship
- Teaching within ISTA encouraged (but not required), aiming to create the most conducive environment for the creation and transfer of knowledge
- Scientific integrity and leadership training, as well as career development support
- Joining ISTA’s and the NOMIS Foundation’s global networks of exceptional, pioneering researchers
Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants must:
Have completed their PhD at the time of application or be close to completion (defense within 8 months after application deadline).
Have at least one external and one internal (ISTA) supervisor committed to co-mentoring the project.
Propose an interdisciplinary project in line with ISTA’s research areas: Biology, Neuroscience, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Science, Mathematics, and Physics.
Note: No nationality restrictions apply.
Please see the Guide for Applicants, FAQs and Ethics Self-Assessment form before applying. In the meantime, please direct any questions you may have on the program to nomis-fellowship@ista.ac.at.
Deadline: 18 November 2025.