Materials science and technology are our passion. With our cutting-edge research, Empa's around 1,100 employees make essential contributions to the well-being of society for a future worth living. Empa is a research institution of the ETH Domain.
Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, is based in Dübendorf, St. Gallen and Thun, and brings together around 1’100 co-workers from more than 60 nations in an interdisciplinary, international environment with a strong network across academia and industry.
Empa is launching the Female Scientific Leadership Fellowship, a new funding programme to support outstanding women scientists on their path to independent research leadership. The Fellowship gives excellent candidates the resources and hands-on leadership experience to establish themselves as future group leaders at Empa. This is part of our broader commitment outlined in our Diversity Action Plan and relates to specific goals that are regularly implemented, reviewed and further developed.
What the Fellowship Offers
- A 4-year fellowship, comparable in scope and ambition to an SNF/ERC Starting Grant.
- Funding for the fellow’s own salary, plus one doctoral (PhD) student position for the fellow to lead and supervise, combining independent research with genuine leadership experience.
- A structured opportunity to build the track record needed for a future, tenure-track group leader role at Empa.
Who Can Apply
- Internal or external candidates.
- Internal candidates may apply for a position in their current laboratory or another providing a strategic fit.
- Candidates from industry, provided they have a strong scientific track record.
- Researchers holding a doctorate, with postdoctoral or equivalent independent research experience and an excellent, ambitious research profile that aligns with the strategic direction of one of our research laboratories.
Strategic Requirement
This Fellowship is targeted, not open-ended: applications are accepted only where the hosting Empa laboratory has a concrete, realistic prospect of a group-leader-level opening within the next five years. Laboratories without such a prospect are asked not to put forward candidates. Before applying, candidates must secure a letter of support from the relevant lab head confirming this strategic fit.
How to Apply
The application package consists of:
- CV and scientific track record.
- A research and leadership plan setting out the objectives, approach, how the project advances the field, and how it builds the candidate’s leadership experience.
- A letter of support from the (prospective) lab head, addressing strategic fit, the prospective opening, mentoring commitment, and continuity plans for the doctoral student.
Please upload your full application package via the general Empa jobs portal. Please note that we do not consider applications via email.
Evaluation
Applications are assessed by an evaluation panel against the excellence of the candidate, the excellence and feasibility of the proposed research and leadership plan, and the strategic fit within the host department – criteria comparable to those used for ERC Starting Grants. Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview.
Programme Format and Timeline
The Fellowship is not a one-off competitive call but an ongoing programme, with two evaluation rounds per year, in January and June.
- First round – application deadline: December 31 2026
- First round – evaluation: January 2027
- Places available: Up to 3 fellowships
- Special cases: Can be discussed directly with the programme task for
Why Empa
- Internationally recognized science institute with access to excellent research infrastructure and a wide net-work spanning academia and industry.
- A strong, demonstrated commitment to equal opportunities: Empa holds the HR Excellence in Research label and received the Prix Balance ZH award for promoting diversity and work–family life balance.
- Recognition as a top employer: 6th place in the Education & Research category of the 2024 “Best Employer” ranking.
Valérie
Kuhn,
Head of HR