The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 offer one of the most competitive fully funded postdoc opportunities in Europe for researchers working in cybersecurity, data science, AI, and digital trust. Hosted at the École polytechnique fédérale de Lausanne in collaboration with the Cyber-Defence Campus, this fellowship allows early-career researchers to conduct high-impact research in Switzerland for up to two years with full salary and research support. If you are looking for fully funded postdoctoral fellowships in Switzerland, postdoc jobs in cybersecurity, or AI security research funding in Europe, this program should be high on your list.

CYD Postdoctoral Fellowships in Switzerland—Overview

Host Country: Switzerland
Host Institution: EPFL & CYD Campus (with a Swiss higher education institution)
Program Level: Postdoctoral Fellowship
Duration: Up to 2 years
Funding Type: Fully funded (salary + research + conference support)
Application Mode: Online
Eligible Applicants: International researchers (all nationalities)
Deadline (Stage 1): 25 February 2026 (17:00 CET)

Research Focus & Priority Areas

The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships target cross-disciplinary cyber-defence research with strong real-world relevance. Priority areas include:

Cybersecurity and cyber-physical system protection
Security of AI and AI-based defence mechanisms
Data science and AI for cyber-threat analysis
Privacy, digital trust, and secure identity technologies
Cyber Threat Intelligence and vulnerability analysis
Automation of cyber defence (red team and blue team systems)
Security of transportation, space, and critical infrastructure systems

Projects must demonstrate clear impact on Swiss cyber-defence and foster collaboration between the CYD Campus and Swiss universities.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

Open to all nationalities (no age limit)
PhD completed before the fellowship start date
Commitment to conduct research in a different lab from PhD and current postdoc
Endorsement from a professor at a Swiss higher education institution
Strong academic track record with excellent publications and grades
Research proposal aligned with CYD Campus priorities

This is a highly competitive postdoctoral fellowship, where academic excellence is the primary evaluation criterion.

Click Here for Detailed CYD Distinguished Postdoc Jobs in Switzerland 2026

Application Process

Follow this process to apply for the CYD EPFL Postdoctoral Fellowship in Europe:

Step 1: Review CYD Switzerland Postdoctoral Fellowships’ official guidelines and prioritized research topics

Click Here to Read the CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships in Europe Guidelines

Step 2: Check the Switzerland Fellowship Application Toolkit and prepare the required documents

Click Here to Explore the EPFL Research Fellowships Toolkit for High-Salary Postdoc in Europe

Prepare Stage 1 documents, including:

Motivation letter
Research pre-proposal
Academic CV
Degree certificates and transcripts
Two recommendation letters

Step 3: Submit Research Fellowship Application Online

Click Here to Apply Online for CYD Postdoctoral AI research jobs in Europe

Financial Benefits & Funding Coverage

The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship is fully funded, offering:

Full postdoctoral salary based on Swiss salary scales
Social security contributions covered
Research funding: Up to CHF 3,000 per year
Conference and travel funding: Up to CHF 5,000 per year
Access to world-class research facilities at EPFL and CYD Campus
Professional mentoring and networking within Switzerland’s cyber-defence ecosystem

This makes it one of the most attractive postdoc funding opportunities in Europe.

Apply Now – Start Research Careers in Switzerland

The CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 in Switzerland represent a rare opportunity to secure fully funded postdoc research in cybersecurity and AI at one of Europe’s most prestigious institutions. With generous funding, strong mentorship, and global visibility, this fellowship is ideal for ambitious researchers ready to make an impact in cyber-defence.

Click Here to Explore and Apply for CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowships in Switzerland

Also Check: List of Open International Research and Postdoc Fellowships Worldwide 2026

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Is the CYD Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellowship fully funded?
Yes. It covers salary, social security, research costs, and conference travel.

Can international applicants apply?
Yes. Researchers from any country are eligible.

Is IELTS or TOEFL required?
No standardized English test is required. All documents must be submitted in English.

How competitive is the fellowship?
Extremely competitive. Selection is based on academic excellence and project relevance.

Can I apply without a Swiss supervisor?
You need endorsement from a Swiss professor by Stage 2 of the application.

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