Deadline: 19-Aug-2026
Applications are now open for the CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships, offering postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to pursue advanced cyber-defence research in Switzerland in collaboration with Swiss academic institutions and experts from the CYD Campus.
The fellowship supports innovative research in cyber-defence and cyber-security, with particular emphasis on data protection, cyber and cyber-physical system security, information sharing, data fusion, artificial intelligence-driven analysis of cyber data, and digital trust technologies. Proposed projects must align with CYD Campus research priorities and be conducted in partnership with at least one Swiss higher education institution.
About the Fund
The programme aims to strengthen Switzerland’s cyber-defence research ecosystem by fostering collaboration between academia and CYD Campus while supporting talented researchers in developing cutting-edge solutions to emerging cyber-security challenges. Fellows will have the opportunity to contribute to research that advances digital resilience, secure information systems, and innovative cyber-defence capabilities.
The fellowship is open to postdoctoral researchers of any nationality. Applicants must secure the endorsement of a professor at a Swiss higher education institution who will supervise the research project. In addition, candidates must conduct their fellowship in a different laboratory from the one where they completed their PhD or previous postdoctoral research.
Fellowships may be awarded for a period of up to two years, enabling researchers to undertake in-depth investigations and strengthen their international research profiles within the cyber-security and cyber-defence sectors.
Applications must be submitted in English through the official online platform and include all required supporting documentation. The selection process consists of two stages. During Stage 1, applications undergo an internal evaluation and mentor endorsement process to assess alignment with CYD Campus priorities. Shortlisted candidates are then invited to submit a full proposal in Stage 2, where applications are evaluated by a joint committee comprising representatives from CYD Campus and Swiss academic institutions before final selections are made.
Benefits
- Salary based on the host institution’s salary scale.
- Social benefits provided according to host institution policies.
- Up to CHF 3,000 per year for eligible research expenses.
- Up to CHF 5,000 per year for conference participation and dissemination activities.
- Opportunity to conduct advanced cyber-defence research in Switzerland.
- Collaboration with leading Swiss academic institutions and CYD Campus experts.
- Fellowship duration of up to two years.
Focus Areas
- Cyber-defence
- Cyber-security
- Data protection
- Cyber and cyber-physical system security
- Information sharing
- Data fusion
- AI-driven analysis of cyber data
- Digital trust technologies
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must:
- Be postdoctoral researchers.
- Be of any nationality.
- Obtain endorsement from a professor at a Swiss higher education institution.
- Conduct the fellowship in a different laboratory from where they completed their PhD or previous postdoctoral research.
- Propose a project aligned with CYD Campus priorities.
- Collaborate with at least one Swiss higher education institution.
- Submit the application in English through the official online platform.
- Provide all required supporting documentation.
FAQs
Who can apply for the fellowship?
- Postdoctoral researchers of any nationality.
What research fields are supported?
- Cyber-defence and cyber-security research, including data protection, cyber-physical systems, AI-driven cyber analysis, data fusion, information sharing, and digital trust technologies.
Is collaboration required?
- Yes, projects must involve collaboration with at least one Swiss higher education institution.
Is a supervisor required?
- Yes, applicants must obtain endorsement from a professor at a Swiss higher education institution who will supervise the project.
What funding is provided?
- Salary according to host institution scales.
- Up to CHF 3,000 annually for research expenses.
- Up to CHF 5,000 annually for conference participation.
- Applicable social benefits.
How long is the fellowship?
- Up to two years.
Can applicants remain in the same laboratory where they completed their PhD?
- No, fellows must conduct their research in a different laboratory from where they completed their PhD or previous postdoctoral research.
How are applications evaluated?
- Through a two-stage process consisting of internal evaluation and mentor endorsement, followed by full proposal assessment by a joint CYD Campus and Swiss academic committee.
Conclusion
The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships provide an excellent opportunity for postdoctoral researchers to advance high-impact cyber-defence research while collaborating with leading Swiss institutions and CYD Campus experts. Through competitive funding, research support, and international collaboration opportunities, the fellowship helps researchers strengthen their scientific careers and contribute to innovative solutions addressing critical cyber-security challenges.
For more information, visit EPFL.