Pursue Excellence and Take the Next Step in Your Research Journey – Apply Now! RWTH Aachen University has officially opened applications for the “Port to Europe” Postdoc Fellowship, offering early-career researchers from outside the European Union the chance to conduct high-impact research at one of Europe’s leading technical universities. This 2 year fellowship program is designed for outstanding postdocs across all disciplines who are ready to expand their careers in a world-class research environment.
Port to Fellowship Package Plan
The fellowship provides full-time employment with a competitive stipend at grade EG 13 TV-L (levels 1–4) on the German public sector pay scale, inclusive of social security and health insurance coverage. A recruitment bonus equivalent to two salary levels may also be awarded. Alternatively, fellows may opt for a fellowship stipend of equal value instead of an employment contract.
In addition to financial benefits, fellows will have access to structured career development support, including mid-term and final progress reviews, professional development workshops, and exit strategy meetings. Researchers will also gain full integration into RWTH’s interdisciplinary research network via the Center for Young Academics (CYA).
Eligibility Criteria
Applications are welcomed from researchers meeting the following requirements:
- Location: Must be based outside the European Union at the time of application (all nationalities welcome).
- Doctorate: Applicants must hold a PhD (awarded within the last 4 years) or be close to completion by February 28, 2026.
- Exclusions: Candidates who earned their PhD at RWTH Aachen or are currently employed at RWTH are ineligible.
- Profile: Strong research track record, high academic achievements, and readiness to collaborate with RWTH’s research community.
RWTH particularly encourages applications from women and scholars with diverse backgrounds that can enrich the university’s academic culture.
Application Timeline
The application portal opens on August 15, 2025, with a deadline of October 5, 2025. Results will be announced by mid-November 2025, and successful applicants must begin their fellowship no later than March 31, 2026.
Applicants are required to submit their documents, including a motivation letter, research proposal, CV with publication list, academic transcripts, and a host support letter, via the RWTH Exploratory Research Space Portal here https://www.rwth-aachen.de/go/id/botjje/lidx/1.