Outstanding early-career researchers interested in artificial intelligence, interdisciplinary research and responsible AI development have an opportunity to advance their work at one of Europe’s leading research institutions. The EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowships are now accepting applications for the third call, offering highly motivated researchers the opportunity to collaborate with multiple laboratories at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) in Switzerland. The fellowship is designed for researchers who want to develop ambitious, interdisciplinary research agendas while contributing to the broader AI research community at EPFL. Applications are open to candidates of any nationality, with the submission deadline set for 9 November 2026 at 17:00 CET. About the EPFL AI Center Postdoctoral Fellowship The EPFL AI Center Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is supported in part by the Swiss AI Initiative and focuses on advancing the capabilities and applications of artificial intelligence across a broad range of scientific fields. Rather than restricting fellows to a single research laboratory, the programme encourages interdisciplinary collaboration. Fellows are expected to develop a research agenda in collaboration with at least two EPFL laboratories headed by faculty members affiliated with the EPFL AI Center. Successful fellows will have considerable freedom to shape their research agenda while participating in community activities and strategic initiatives connected to the EPFL AI Center. The programme is particularly suited to researchers interested in pushing the boundaries of AI while exploring its applications in areas such as science, engineering, mathematics, technology and other relevant disciplines. What Makes This Fellowship Stand Out? The programme goes beyond conventional postdoctoral research by emphasizing both scientific excellence and collaboration. Key objectives include: Advancing cutting-edge AI research. Encouraging interdisciplinary research across EPFL laboratories. Promoting ethical AI development. Addressing issues including bias, privacy and fairness in AI. Supporting the development of the next generation of AI research leaders. Strengthening collaboration within the EPFL AI Center community. For researchers seeking an international research environment, the fellowship offers the opportunity to work alongside leading academics and access EPFL’s research infrastructure. Who Can Apply? The fellowship is aimed primarily at outstanding researchers at the postdoctoral level. Applicants must have obtained a PhD in computer science, physics, engineering, applied mathematics or another field relevant to artificial intelligence no more than two years before the application deadline. Senior PhD students in the final year of their doctoral studies may also apply, provided they successfully complete their PhD before beginning the fellowship. An important requirement is that applicants must secure the support of two EPFL host professors who are faculty members affiliated with the EPFL AI Center. Prospective applicants are therefore expected to identify suitable professors, contact them and discuss a potential research collaboration before submitting an application. The programme is highly competitive, and academic excellence is a major consideration. Applicants are expected to demonstrate strong academic records, excellent transcripts and significant professional or research accomplishments. Both external candidates and eligible researchers already working at EPFL may apply, although priority is given to external candidates. There are no nationality or age restrictions, and applications from candidates of all genders and backgrounds are encouraged. What Does the Fellowship Provide? The fellowship provides financial support toward the postdoctoral researcher’s salary. The programme contributes approximately 50% of the fellow’s salary per year, with the remaining portion covered by the EPFL host laboratories. Applicable EPFL salary scales and Human Resources policies govern the salary and associated social-security arrangements. In addition, fellows may receive up to CHF 5,000 per fellowship year for eligible research-related expenses. These funds can support: Research costs. Open research data expenses. Open-access publication costs. Travel. Conference participation. Applicants must justify these costs in the proposed budget and subsequent financial reporting. Any additional expenses beyond the fellowship’s eligible funding are expected to be covered by the host professor or professors. Host laboratories will also provide the infrastructure required for the fellow’s work, which may include office space, laboratory facilities, equipment and administrative support. How Will Applications Be Evaluated? Because the fellowship is highly competitive, applicants should prepare proposals that clearly demonstrate the quality, originality and potential impact of their research. Applications are evaluated by an expert committee with expertise in AI-related research. External reviews may also be requested where appropriate. The assessment focuses on three major areas. 1. Scientific Excellence Reviewers will consider the relevance of the proposed project, originality of the research objectives, quality of the methodology and the applicant’s competence and experience. 2. Research Impact The committee will examine the potential impact of the project in AI, as well as opportunities for collaboration with EPFL research groups and engagement with the wider AI Center community. 3. Feasibility Applicants must demonstrate that their proposed research can realistically be implemented with the available resources, infrastructure, management arrangements and organizational structure. How to Apply for the EPFL AI Fellowship Interested researchers should begin by identifying suitable EPFL AI Center faculty members whose research interests align with their proposed project. Applicants must obtain support from two eligible EPFL host professors and discuss the proposed collaboration with them before submitting the application. Candidates should then carefully review the official application guidelines and toolkit and prepare all required documents in English. Applications must be submitted through EPFL’s online submission platform. Applicants should not wait until the final days to approach potential host professors, as securing two suitable research collaborators is an essential part of the application process. Application Deadline The deadline for the third call of the EPFL AI Center and Swiss AI Initiative Postdoctoral Fellowships is: 9 November 202617:00 CET Only one application may be submitted per applicant. Why Researchers Should Consider This Opportunity For early-career researchers working in artificial intelligence, the EPFL fellowship offers more than salary support. It provides an opportunity to build an international interdisciplinary research profile, collaborate across multiple laboratories and contribute to research addressing some of the most important scientific and societal questions surrounding AI. Researchers with ambitious ideas and a strong academic track record should consider starting preparations early, particularly because the requirement to obtain support from two EPFL AI Center faculty members makes advance engagement essential. Interested researchers are encouraged to review the official fellowship guidelines, identify potential supervisors and begin discussions well before the November deadline. Apply through the official EPFL AI Center Fellowship page Stay Connected With Global South Opportunities Stay connected with Global South Opportunities for the latest scholarships, fellowships, internships, jobs, grants, and career opportunities. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and WPChannel and be the first to discover new opportunities. Important: Global South Opportunities is not the organisation offering these scholarships. Applicants should use official sources and carefully verify all information before submitting an application.