About this opportunity
The ETH AI Center brings together interdisciplinary research teams across all sixteen departments of ETH Zurich, drawing on more than 140 professorships plus groups at the University of Zurich and the University of St. Gallen. Its Doctoral Fellowship is built around a project the candidate proposes themselves, supervised jointly by two principal investigators from different fields who carry equal weight in the supervision. Fellows keep their primary office at the ETH AI Center and can add an optional entrepreneurial or industry track to turn research into practical impact.
The funding is a salaried doctoral appointment rather than a stipend. Pay starts at CHF 73,100 in year one and advances automatically to CHF 78,300 in year two and CHF 83,500 in year three, with around 8 to 12 positions available in the 2027 intake. The appointment normally runs for three years and can be extended by a maximum of one year for fellows making good progress, a decision taken by the ETH AI Center Doctoral Selection Committee without further interviews. The start date is flexible but typically falls in September 2027, and successful applicants must have finished their Master’s degree at least three months before the programme begins, latest by June 2027. Training and continuing education activities, language courses, and support for combining work and family life are included.
Research areas span AI foundations and the space between AI and application, including mathematical principles, medicine, architecture, robotics and the social sciences and future of work. The programme states no nationality restriction, so a Nigerian or other African applicant who holds, or is completing, a relevant Master’s degree and meets ETH Zurich’s general doctorate admission requirements can apply on the same terms as anyone else. Master’s students are explicitly eligible to apply. An excellent research track record and an English level sufficient to discuss your work with colleagues and write up findings are expected, along with a genuine interest in interdisciplinary teamwork.
Applications opened on 15 September 2026 and close at 16:00 Central European Time on 27 October 2026. References follow a separate cut: referees must upload their letters by 23:59 Central European Time on 2 November 2026, and an application with fewer than two references is not reviewed. Short listed candidates are invited to the doctoral symposium to give a research talk and interview with potential mentors.
What you receive
- Salary of CHF 73,100 in year one, CHF 78,300 in year two and CHF 83,500 in year three, with automatic advancement
- Around 8 to 12 funded doctoral positions in the 2027 intake
- Co supervision by two principal investigators from different fields, with equal weight in the supervision
- A research project proposed by the fellow rather than a predefined studentship
- An optional entrepreneurial or industry track to help turn research into practical impact
- Training and continuing education activities and language courses at an affordable price
- Services to support work and family life, and a primary office at the ETH AI Center
- Access to faculty drawn from all sixteen ETH Zurich departments plus the University of Zurich and the University of St. Gallen
- A possible one year extension beyond the three year appointment for fellows with good progress
Who can apply
- Completed, or nearing completion of, a Master’s degree in computer science, machine learning, statistics, physics, engineering, applied mathematics or another relevant field
- The Master’s degree must be finished at least three months before the fellowship begins, latest by June 2027
- An excellent academic and research track record
- The general admission requirements for a doctorate at ETH Zurich must be met
- English at a level that allows you to discuss your topic with colleagues and report findings in writing
- A willingness to work in an interdisciplinary team
- Master’s students are eligible to apply
- No nationality restriction is stated by the provider
Who should not apply
- Applications sent by email or postal service are not considered, only the online portal is accepted
- Applications with fewer than two submitted references are not reviewed
- Applications cannot be edited after submission, so an incomplete package cannot be repaired later
- Documents submitted after the closing dates are not accepted
Documents to prepare
- Degree certificates and academic transcripts
- A curriculum vitae
- A motivation letter of one to two pages covering your reasons for applying, your relevant strengths and skills, your experience of interdisciplinary teamwork, entrepreneurial or technology transfer interests, and how you would contribute to the centre’s community and culture
- A research statement describing the project you want to carry out
- A short video as part of the application package
- At least two reference letters, with an optional third
How to apply
- Read the fellowship guidelines at https://ai.ethz.ch/research/phd-and-postdoc-programs/guidelines.html and the answers on https://ai.ethz.ch/research/phd-and-postdoc-programs/fellowship-faqs.html before you start.
- Confirm that you meet ETH Zurich’s general doctorate admission requirements at https://www.ethz.ch/en/doctorate.html.
- Open an application on the ETH AI Center doctoral listing at https://switzerland.recruitee.com/o/eth-ai-center-doctoral-fellowship-2027 and fill in the online form.
- Upload your degree certificates and transcripts, CV, motivation letter, research statement and video. The page limit for the motivation letter excludes references.
- Submit the application by 16:00 Central European Time on 27 October 2026. You cannot edit it afterwards.
- After submitting, you should receive an automated confirmation email containing three links. Send one link to each referee so they can upload their reference directly to the portal.
- Make sure at least two references reach the portal by 23:59 Central European Time on 2 November 2026, since applications without them are not considered.
- If short listed, attend the doctoral symposium to give a research talk and interview with potential mentors.
Selection process
- The ETH AI Center Doctoral Selection Committee reviews complete applications after the closing date
- Promising candidates are short listed and invited to the doctoral symposium
- At the symposium candidates give a research talk and hold personal interviews with potential mentors
- Acceptances and cancellations are communicated after the interview stage
- A one year extension beyond the three year appointment is decided by the Doctoral Selection Committee without additional interviews
Sources and verification
Questions applicants ask
Do I need to contact a supervisor before applying?
No. The provider states it is not a requirement to contact faculty members before submitting an application.
Can I apply while still doing my Master’s degree?
Yes. Master’s students are eligible, and if successful you are expected to have completed your studies at least three months before the programme begins, latest by June 2027.
How many references are needed?
At least two, with an optional third. References must be uploaded by your referees through the links in your confirmation email by 23:59 Central European Time on 2 November 2026, and applications without two references are not considered.
Is the fellowship funded?
Yes. It is a salaried doctoral appointment at CHF 73,100, CHF 78,300 and CHF 83,500 across the three years, with automatic advancement.
When is the deadline?
Applications must be uploaded by 16:00 Central European Time on 27 October 2026.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
