About this opportunity
The Global Innovation Index is the ranking that national innovation teams, ministries and development partners watch closely. It is put together inside the Department for Economics and Data Analytics at WIPO, in the Composite Indicator Research Section, and that is where this fellow will sit.
The work is research and data engineering in equal measure. The Fellow collects, analyses, audits and processes innovation related data, assesses new data sources for the GII iLens Innovation Lab, helps develop and deliver the Global Innovation Tracker, and contributes analysis of country performance to the annual GII report. There is also a practical side: data visualisations, talking points, briefing documents and content for social media and the WIPO website.
The money and the support are set out plainly. The stipend runs from CHF 3,300 a month up to a maximum of CHF 6,000, fixed according to qualifications and experience. The term is 12 months with the possibility of extension one or more times, provided the cumulative length never exceeds three years. WIPO contributes towards travel costs on engagement and separation from service, may help with an entry visa for Switzerland, contributes towards medical insurance and provides accident insurance during the fellowship. It also requests a carte de légitimation, the residence and work permit issued through the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations Office in Geneva.
This is a Geneva post and it cannot be carried out remotely. Fellows are not staff members of WIPO and the position does not create employment rights beyond the terms of the fellowship. Fellows are solely responsible for any taxation and social security obligations arising from their contract, and family members are not eligible for a carte de légitimation.
The
Application timeline
carries a detail worth reading twice: WIPO states the cut off in local time as per the time zone of the applicant, so 30 October 2026 at 11:59 PM means 11:59 PM where you are, not in Geneva.
What you receive
- A monthly stipend from CHF 3,300 up to a maximum of CHF 6,000, set by qualifications and experience.
- A fellowship term of 12 months with the possibility of extension one or more times, up to a maximum cumulative length of three years.
- WIPO contributes towards the cost of travel on engagement and separation from service.
- Assistance with obtaining an entry visa to Switzerland where necessary.
- WIPO contributes towards medical insurance and provides accident insurance coverage during the fellowship.
- A carte de légitimation, the Swiss residence and work permit, is requested for the Fellow.
- Anticipated start date of 4 January 2027 at WIPO Headquarters in Geneva.
- Hands on research experience on a flagship global innovation publication alongside a Senior Economist.
Who can apply
- An advanced university degree at master’s level in economics, statistics, data science or any related field.
- Relevant experience in economics or a similar field, and comfort with data ingestion, database handling of large data sets and indicator development.
- Excellent written and spoken knowledge of English.
- Proficiency in specialised software and programming languages for data science, database management and statistical or econometric analysis, in particular R and/or Python.
- Demonstrated ability to use code hosting platforms such as GitHub and data storage tools including AWS and MySQL.
- Experience working with large cross country datasets or developing composite indicators.
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain data visualisation dashboards or tools for public facing publications.
- A background or interest in innovation studies and policy, and knowledge of another official UN language, are desirable rather than required.
- Applications are welcomed from qualified candidates from unrepresented WIPO Member States and from underrepresented geographical regions and groups, including people with disabilities.
Who should not apply
- The fellowship takes place in Geneva, Switzerland, and cannot be carried out remotely.
- Fellows are not staff members of WIPO and the position does not lead to employment rights or entitlements beyond the terms of the fellowship.
- Family members of the Fellow are not eligible for a carte de légitimation.
- Higher educational qualifications are only considered where the institution is accredited or recognised in the World Higher Education Database, so degrees outside that list will not be accepted without individual review.
Documents to prepare
- A completed WIPO application submitted through the vacancy page, which requires a candidate account.
- A scanned copy of an identification document, requested in advance if the candidature is shortlisted.
- Scanned copies of the degree, diploma or certificate required for the position, requested in advance if shortlisted.
- Professional certificates, which may not appear in the World Higher Education Database and are reviewed individually.
- Satisfactory professional references, since initial appointment is subject to them.
How to apply
- Open the vacancy page at https://wipo.taleo.net/careersection/wp_2_fel/jobdetail.ftl?job=26307-FEL and read the duties, requirements and terms in full.
- Create or sign in to a WIPO candidate account on that page, since applications are made through the WIPO recruitment system.
- Complete the application against the essential requirements: master’s level degree, economics and data experience, English, and R or Python proficiency.
- Submit before 30 October 2026 at 11:59 PM in the time zone where you are located.
- If you need accommodation to take part in the recruitment process, contact the WIPO HR focal point when you receive an invitation.
- Keep identification and degree documents ready, since shortlisted candidates are asked to provide scanned copies in advance.
Selection process
- Applications are reviewed against the essential education, experience, language and skills requirements set out in the vacancy.
- Additional testing or interviewing may be used as a form of screening.
- Initial appointment is subject to satisfactory professional references.
- Shortlisted candidates provide scanned identification and degree documents in advance, and qualifications are checked against the World Higher Education Database.
- Any wilful misrepresentation in the application or supporting documents may result in disqualification, or termination at a later stage if employment followed from it.
Sources and verification
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Questions applicants ask
Is the deadline in Geneva time?
No. WIPO states that the deadline for applications is indicated in local time as per the time zone of the applicant’s location, so for an applicant in Nigeria the cut off is 11:59 PM West Africa Time on 30 October 2026.
Can the fellowship be done remotely?
No. The fellowship will take place in Geneva, Switzerland, and it cannot be carried out remotely.
How long does the fellowship last?
Up to 12 months, with the possibility of extension one or more times, provided the maximum cumulative length does not exceed three years. The anticipated start date is 4 January 2027.
Does this lead to a job at WIPO?
No. Fellows are not staff members of WIPO, and the position does not lead to any employment rights and entitlements beyond the terms of the fellowship.
Who pays for the flight and insurance?
WIPO contributes towards the cost of travel on engagement and separation from service, may provide assistance with an entry visa to Switzerland, contributes towards medical insurance and provides accident insurance coverage during the course of the fellowship.
Important disclaimer
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