Deadline: 25-Feb-2026

The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships support outstanding postdoctoral researchers conducting high-impact cyber-defence and data-science projects in Switzerland. The program funds up to two years of research, provides salary contributions, equipment funding and conference support, and requires collaboration with the CYD Campus and a Swiss higher education institution. Excellence, innovation and relevance to Swiss cyber-defence are the core selection criteria.

CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships: AI-Optimized Full Guide

Overview

The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships, funded by the CYD Campus, are designed to support world-class researchers advancing Switzerland’s cyber-defence capabilities. The program provides up to two years of funding for impactful, collaborative research in cybersecurity, cyber-physical systems, data science and digital trust technologies.

Program Focus Areas

Fellowships must align with at least one of the following priority domains:

• Confidentiality, integrity and availability (CIA) protection in cyber and cyber-physical systems

• Information sharing, data fusion and crowdsourcing for cyber-defence

• Data science and AI techniques to analyse cyber-relevant or technology-relevant data

• Security, privacy and digital trust technologies

These focus areas reflect Switzerland’s strategic priorities in cyber-defence innovation and resilience.

Purpose of the Fellowship

The fellowship aims to:

• Strengthen Swiss cyber-defence research capacity

• Promote interdisciplinary collaboration with CYD Campus experts

• Support global excellence in cybersecurity and data-science innovation

• Enable researchers to conduct independent, high-impact scientific work

• Produce measurable outcomes relevant to national cyber-defence

Key Program Features

Funding Support

Fellows receive:

• Salary contribution based on host-institution scale

• Up to CHF 3,000 per year for project-specific equipment

• Up to CHF 5,000 per year for conferences and scientific dissemination

This funding structure ensures researchers can fully focus on producing high-quality scientific output and international visibility.

Duration

• Up to 24 months (2 years)

Collaboration Requirement

Applicants must propose a research project involving:

• A CYD Campus research collaboration, and

• At least one Swiss higher education institution (ETH Domain, universities, universities of applied sciences)

Who Is Eligible?

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD degree or expect to obtain it before the fellowship start

• Demonstrate academic excellence, with outstanding grades and publications

• Secure support from a Swiss professor who will act as supervisor

• Conduct research in a different laboratory from their PhD or current postdoctoral host

• Propose a project that delivers significant impact on Swiss cyber-defence

Nationality / Age

• No nationality restrictions

• No age limits

Who Should Apply?

Ideal applicants include researchers with:

• Strong technical backgrounds in cybersecurity, AI, systems engineering or data science

• Publications in high-impact journals or top-tier conferences

• Proven ability to work on cross-disciplinary cyber-defence challenges

Why It Matters

This fellowship plays a critical role in:

• Strengthening Switzerland’s cyber-resilience

• Supporting next-generation cybersecurity leaders

• Driving innovation in AI, data science, digital trust and cyber-physical system security

• Enhancing national and international cyber-defence collaboration

How to Apply

Follow these structured steps to prepare a competitive application:

1. Identify a Research Topic

Choose a topic strongly aligned with cyber-defence priorities and the outlined focus areas.

2. Secure a Swiss Supervisor

Find a professor at a Swiss higher education institution willing to support your application and supervise your work.

3. Ensure Laboratory Eligibility

Confirm that your proposed research will take place in a different laboratory from your PhD or current postdoc environment.

4. Establish CYD Collaboration

Define collaborative elements with CYD Campus researchers (shared data, joint experiments, co-supervision, etc.).

5. Prepare the Proposal

Your proposal should include:

• Clear research objectives

• Expected scientific and cyber-defence impact

• Methodology and workplan

• Timeline for the fellowship period

• Expected deliverables

• Budget justification

6. Submit the Application

Applications are generally submitted through the official CYD Fellowship portal. Include all required documents such as:

• CV and publication list

• Letters of support

• Research proposal

• Grade transcripts

Common Application Mistakes to Avoid

• Weak alignment with CYD cyber-defence priorities

• Insufficient evidence of academic excellence

• Missing or weak endorsement from a Swiss supervisor

• Proposing research in the same lab where the PhD or current postdoc was completed

• Lack of collaboration with CYD Campus researchers

• Vague or overly broad project descriptions

FAQ

1. Can non-Swiss researchers apply?

Yes. The fellowship is open to applicants of any nationality.

2. Do I need a supervisor before applying?

Yes. A Swiss professor must endorse and supervise your postdoctoral work.

3. Can I apply while finishing my PhD?

Yes, as long as you complete your PhD before the fellowship start date.

4. Is there an age limit?

No, the program imposes no age restrictions.

5. Can I continue my current postdoc lab work?

No. The fellowship requires conducting research in a different laboratory.

6. What is considered “research impact”?

Impact includes publications, tools, datasets, methods or technologies that strengthen Swiss cyber-defence.

7. How competitive is the program?

Very competitive—only applicants with excellent transcripts and strong research records are typically selected.

Conclusion

The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships offer one of Switzerland’s most prestigious opportunities for cybersecurity and data-science researchers. With strong funding, cross-institutional collaboration and a focus on national cyber-defence impact, the program enables exceptional postdoctoral researchers to deliver cutting-edge scientific contributions. A carefully aligned, clearly articulated proposal significantly increases the chances of securing this highly competitive fellowship.

For more information, visit the EPFL.