Female Scientific Leadership Fellowship

About the role

Empa is launching a four‑year Female Scientific Leadership Fellowship to support outstanding women scientists on their path to independent research leadership. The fellowship combines a competitive salary with a PhD student position to provide genuine leadership experience.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and supervise a doctoral student while conducting independent research aligned with Empa’s strategic directions.
• Develop and execute a research and leadership plan that advances the field and builds a track record for future group‑leader roles.

Required profile

• Doctorate holder with postdoctoral or equivalent independent research experience.
• Excellent, ambitious research profile that fits the strategic direction of an Empa laboratory and a realistic prospect of a group‑leader opening within five years.

Required skills

• Demonstrated ability to lead research projects and supervise junior researchers.
• Strong scientific track record in materials science or related fields.

What we offer

• Four‑year fellowship comparable to an SNF/ERC Starting Grant.
• Funding for salary and a PhD student position.
• Structured opportunity to build a track record for a future tenure‑track group leader role at Empa.