Seeking the World’s Best Postdocs – Academic freedom wherever you are Society in Science

Seeking the World’s Best Postdocs – Academic freedom wherever you are

Society in Science – The Branco Weiss Fellowship awards postdocs with a personal grant that enables them to carry out their research anywhere in the world, at any institution, for up to five years. The program is administered by the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH).

This fellowship provides a platform for exceptionally qualified researchers, aiming to extend their scientific work to include specific social and cultural questions and perspectives. Fellows are expected to break across boundaries between different disciplines, establishing stimulating links and developing new approaches. Ideally fellows pursue unconventional projects in new areas of science, engineering and social sciences.


Eligibility
The ideal applicant has the competencies to design a courageous and scientifically rigorous research project which blazes new trails, profiting from the freedom uniquely offered by the fellowship.

You are eligible if:

• You officially hold a PhD on February 1, 2012
• You have a record of outstanding scientific achievement
• You can demonstrate a clear and distinct societal component in your research proposal

You will increase your chances of a successful application if:

• Your proposed inquiry meets a high standard of scientific quality 
• Your research field differs significantly from those already covered by fellows 

Please do not be disheartened if you have applied before and were not selected, you are welcome to apply again.


Timelines
Every proposal is rated on its merits by the Society in Science directorate and strategy committee. Short-listed candidates are invited for personal interviews, to be held in Zurich, Switzerland. 
The following timeline applies for the 2012 fellowship intake:

• 1 February 2012: final deadline for applications
• April 2012: notification and invitation for a personal interview sent to final selection of candidates; notification sent to refused candidates
• June 2012: interviewing of candidates with the directorate and the strategy committee in Zurich, Switzerland, and final selection of fellows
• 1 September to 31 December 2012: fellows commence research projects


Application Materials
In order to complete the online application form you will need to have the following material:

• A description of your intended research activity
• Your CV
• Up to three of your best publications
• The names of two potential referees
• A statement, not exceeding one page, of your personal reasons and motivations for applying for a Branco WeissFellowship