EPFL opens postdoctoral fellowships for AI researchers

The EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 are open for applications. The programme is hosted by the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland. It supports early-career researchers who want to develop interdisciplinary artificial intelligence research projects in collaboration with multiple laboratories. Selected fellows will create their own research agendas, engage with the AI research community, and contribute to strategic initiatives.

Who can apply

• Citizens of any nationality may apply, with no age restrictions.
• Applicants must hold a PhD in a relevant field obtained no more than two years before the application deadline, or be doctoral candidates in their final year who will obtain their diploma before starting the fellowship.
• Applicants must obtain the support of two EPFL host professors who are faculty members affiliated with the EPFL AI Center.
• Each applicant may submit only one application.

What it offers

• The fellowship provides funding covering approximately 50 percent of the postdoctoral researcher's salary per year based on EPFL salary scales, with the remaining portion covered by the EPFL host laboratories.
• A maximum of CHF 5,000 per fellowship year is available for specified eligible costs.
• Host laboratories provide necessary research infrastructure.

How to apply

The third call for applications is currently open, with a submission deadline of 9 November 2026 at 17:00 Central European Time. Applicants should consult the official EPFL fellowship page and the current application toolkit for definitive call information, submission instructions, and required documents.