Application Deadline: 14 August 2026, 23:59 CET – Fellowship Expression of Interest; 30 September 2026, 23:59 CET – Fellowship Full Application
LOCATION: Multiple Regions
ICGEB offers competitive postdoctoral fellowships in life sciences to highly motivated scientists wishing to pursue postdoctoral research in a world-class scientific environment. The fellowships comprise a very competitive package including a stipend, health insurance, and additional benefits. The most successful fellows will also be eligible, upon completion, to apply for ICGEB Early Career Research Grants to support their own research programmes as young PIs upon return to an ICGEB Member State.
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants must be nationals of an ICGEB Member State and may not apply for fellowships to be undertaken in their country of origin unless they have been working abroad for at least the last 3 years and at the time of application.
Degree requirements: Applicants should hold a recent PhD in life sciences or have at least 3 years of research experience.
Preference is given to candidates below the age of 35.
Documents to be uploaded:
Please note that you will be requested to upload the following documents (pdf files):
Your full CV.
Academic records (PhD degree certificate, issued by the degree-granting university and bearing the official seal(s) and signatures, to be submitted in the original language accompanied by an official English translation of each document).
A valid identification document (passport or identity card). Recommended passport validity should be 12 months at least.
English Certificate (TOEFL, Cambridge, or similar). This document is not required when English is the medium of instruction; however, the university must provide an official certificate attesting to this.
All submitted applications will be transmitted to the respective ICGEB Liaison Officer in the country of which you are a national for endorsement. Endorsement is a fundamental requirement for the Fellowship to be awarded. The ICGEB Fellowships Selection Committee will evaluate complete and endorsed applications received by the closing date.
The main criteria for selection include the scientific excellence of the project, the qualities of the candidate’s CV, and potential benefits for the home country. Both successful and unsuccessful candidates will be notified of the outcome by e-mail only. Please note that the selection might take several weeks according to the number of applications received. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to provide individual feedback to all applicants at the end of the selection process.
Starting Date:
Trieste, Italy: 1 February 2027
New Delhi, India: 1 February 2027
Cape Town, South Africa: 1 February 2027
BENEFIT:
Financial Support:
Duration: 2 years with the possibility of a 1-year extension.
Monthly stipend: Trieste (Italy): 2,300 euro; New Delhi (India): US$ 1,749; Cape Town (South Africa): 27,500 ZAR.
Travel: The fellowship includes provision for travel expenses from the participant’s home country to the ICGEB lab at the beginning of the fellowship and a return travel provision upon completion of the fellowship.
Medical health insurance coverage is provided for the duration of the fellowship.
All research costs will be supported by the research group’s budget.
Visa/permit of stay application and renewal costs are reimbursed.
Support for participation in meetings and courses is generally provided by the group leader / PI.
ICGEB makes no financial provision, nor can it provide administrative support for family members of participants in the programme.
Accommodation:
ICGEB Trieste: ICGEB Trieste has no housing service or accommodation facilities. However, fellows will be provided with a list of possible contacts that offer housing options in Trieste.
ICGEB New Delhi: A guest house is run on campus, on a twin-share basis, for a nominal rate.
ICGEB Cape Town: Accommodation support is provided to fellows. Arrangements are made prior to arrival.
