This document describes the process for getting support from the Institute of Physics (IPHYS) to apply as a non-professor internal candidate. EPFL PATTs who are eligible can refer to the SNSF Starting Grants application toolkit for their own application process (carefully check the SNSF documents eligibility criteria).
Generalities
In accordance to EPFL rules, IPHYS accepts only internal candidates (please note the SNSF eligibility criteria in the SNSF documents). For this, candidates need a current EPFL contract or a contract planned independently of the outcome of the grant application.
SNSF Starting Grant applicants who would like to be hosted 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. SNSF Starting Grant applicants should therefore first obtain the support from an IPHYS professor (called the supporting professor in the following).
Upon successful application, SNSF Starting 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. SNSF Starting Grant awardees receive 100 kCHF of start-up funds. As assistant professors, awardees will be assigned teaching duties.
Description of the selection process
The supporting professor is responsible to ensure that the candidate they support is of outstanding quality. The supporting professor also needs to state in an endorsement letter (using the template provided below) either that they commit to provide the necessary space, infrastructure, and administrative support for the success of the proposed project, or they need to provide a list of required lab (with specifications) and office space, and infrastructure. Finally, the supporting professor should commit to provide the extra resources (financial or other) 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.
The IPHYS selection is based on the following criteria:
- Scientific excellence
- Availability of resources
- Strategic and synergetic advantage for IPHYS.
The selection procedure goes as follows:
- Candidates apply by uploading their file in PDF form to
https://programs-recruiting.epfl.ch/position/43941896 IPHYS deadline: 03/03/2026
- Applications should include the following documents: CV, 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), supporting professor/host institute support letter (using the template provided below) signed by the supporting professor and the applicant.
- Based on the files provided by the candidates, the Executive Committee and Director of the institute will decide which candidates are supported by IPHYS to submit an application at the SNSF. This list of supported candidates will be proposed to the SB Dean who takes the final decision.
- SB will send the fully signed supporting professor/host institute support letter to the supported candidates.
- With this support letter, candidates can request the Institutional confirmation letter from the Research Office (deadline 20/04/2026).
The application toolkit is available here. 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 (23h59) on the indicated date. Files received after the deadline will not be considered.
IPHYS pre-application deadline: March 3rd, 2026
EPFL pre-application deadline: April 20th, 2026
SNSF application deadline: May 5th, 2026 (17:00)
Links
IPHYS pre-application online platform
IPHYS template for supporting professor & host institute support letter
EPFL toolkit for SNSF Starting Grant