This document describes the process for getting support from the Institute of Physics (IPHYS) to apply as an external candidate, non-professor or PANTT internal candidate (unless the ERC project ends before the PANTT contract). EPFL PATTs and PAs can refer to the ERC Consolidator Grants application toolkit for their own application process.
Generalities
IPHYS will consider applications on a case-by-case basis, both from external and internal candidates.
ERC Consolidator Grant applicants who would like to work at IPHYS must first be approved by the hosting institute according to the process described below. For the purpose of the internal selection process, a professor of the institute needs to endorse the application. ERC Consolidator Grant applicants should therefore first obtain the support from an IPHYS professor (called the supporting professor in the following).
Upon successful application, ERC Consolidator Grant awardees will receive the title of Assistant Professor (non tenure-track). They head their own research group and supervise the PhD students involved in their project. If the applicant charges 100% of their salary to the ERC project, they need to dedicate 100% of their working time to the project. In particular, the ERC grant cannot cover any time dedicated to teaching, at EPFL or elsewhere (e.g. tutorials).
Procedure
The supporting professor is responsible to ensure that the candidate they support is of outstanding quality. The supporting professor must provide an endorsement letter (using the template provided below) where they either commit to provide the necessary space and infrastructure for the success of the proposed project, or provide a list of required lab (with specifications) and office space. Finally, the supporting professor should commit to cover the 15% salary matching for the involved PhD students, to provide the extra resources that may be needed to complete the involved PhD theses and must be ready to take over the supervision of the involved PhD students should the grant holder leave EPFL.
To seek support of the institute for application, candidates should send to the institute director (at [email protected]) the following documents: CV with publication list, short summary of main achievements to date (max. 1 page), outline of proposed project (max. 3 pages), reasons for IPHYS as host (max. 1 page), endorsement letter by supporting professor (using the template provided below). This should be done as soon as possible but no later than 23/11/2026.
If the application is supported by IPHYS, the applicant is notified and receives the endorsement letter countersigned by the institute director and the dean of the school. The applicant can then send their file together with the endorsement letter to the Research Office to obtain the EPFL commitment letter (deadline 15/12/2026).
The Research Office has published an application toolkit containing all details on the EPFL application process. Please read all the documents carefully, follow the instructions and make sure that your application file fulfils all the requirements. Incomplete files will not be considered. If you have questions regarding the IPHYS procedure, please contact Blandine Jérôme ([email protected], +41 21 69 33376). If you have questions regarding the application toolkit, please contact the Research Office ([email protected]).
Timeline & deadlines
IPHYS deadlines are at midnight on the indicated date. Files received after the deadline will not be considered.
IPHYS internal application deadline: November 23rd, 2026
EPFL internal deadline: December 15th, 2026
ERC application deadline: January 12th, 2027
Links
IPHYS template for support letter by supporting professor
EPFL toolkit for ERC Consolidator Grants