Research Associate (f/m/d) - Postdoc Fellowship “Port to Europe”

Pursue excellence and take the next step in your research journey! 

RWTH Aachen University, one of Europe’s top technical universities, invites you to set up your next project in a place where academic freedom, long-term funding, and European culture and values converge. RWTH addresses bold scientific questions and embraces a strong responsibility toward society by fostering interdisciplinary research and enabling the transfer of knowledge into meaningful applications.

The “Port to Europe” Postdoc Fellowship offers you the opportunity to join RWTH Aachen University as an integrated member of its research community. This two-year fellowship is open to all disciplines and supports postdocs with a strong research profile, an excellent academic track record, and a desire to build their future career in a reliable, innovation-driven academic ecosystem.

Are you an early-career researcher based outside the European Union, looking for a supportive, forward-thinking and inspiring environment to boost your academic career?

Start your application process now and carry out your project to Europe.

Fellowship at a Glance

• Duration: 24 months
• Location: RWTH Aachen University, Germany
• Start date: Flexible, latest by March 31, 2026
• Employment: Full-time position (EG 13 TV-L, or equivalent fellowship is possible)
• Research fields: Open to all disciplines
• Applicants are expected to propose a project that is aligned with the research focus of their prospective host’s chair, institute, or lab and is supported by the host.

For details please check the RWTH Port to Europe website or contact the Center for Young Academics (CYA).

Your Profile

You are eligible if you:

• are currently based outside the European Union (including German nationals abroad)
• hold a PhD (max. 4 years after doctorate*) or will complete it by February 28, 2026 
• did not obtain your PhD at RWTH Aachen
• are not currently affiliated with RWTH Aachen

*Career breaks, e.g. parental leave or caregiving time, will be taken into account. Please mention them in your CV if applicable.

Your Duties and Responsibilities

As a postdoctoral fellow, you will:

• Conduct research in the respective field of your project, independently shape your academic profile, and publish your results in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Support academic collaboration and administration within your host institute and contribute to a vibrant research environment.
• Teaching: As part of the fellowship, teaching duties are expected in consultation with the host. The scope and format of teaching will depend on the host's needs and the fellow's previous teaching experience.

Please submit your completed application here.
The deadline for applications is October 5, 2025 at 11:59pm (CET). Please read the requirements and instructions carefully before applying.

Application Documents (PDF format)

• Letter of motivation (max. 1 page)
• Research proposal (max. 4 pages, excl. references)
• CV incl. academic achievements and list of up to 10 key publications (max. 5 pages)
• Letter of support from a host at RWTH Aachen (max. 1 page)
• PhD certificate or proof of expected completion
• Copies of previous university degrees (e.g. Bachelor, Master)

Evaluation Criteria

• Clarity and cogency of the motivation letter
• Academic achievements (e.g. publications, awards, own third-party funding or experience in its acquisition, teaching experience, transfer)
• Potential for collaboration with RWTH
• Scientific quality and originality of the proposed project

What We Offer

The successful candidate will be employed under a regular employment contract.
The position is to be filled at the earliest possible date and offered for a fixed term of two years.
The fixed-term employment is possible as it constitutes one of the fixed-term options of the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (German Act on Fixed-term Scientific Contracts).
This is a full-time position with the possibility of a part-time contract upon request.
The salary is based on the German public service salary scale (TV-L).
The position corresponds to a pay grade of EG 13 TV-L.

About us

RWTH is a certified family-friendly University. We support our employees in maintaining a good work-life balance with a wide range of health, advising, and prevention services, for example university sports. Employees who are covered by collective bargaining agreements and civil servants have access to an extensive range of further training courses and the opportunity to purchase a job ticket.
RWTH is an equal opportunities employer. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from all suitably qualified candidates, particularly from groups that are underrepresented at the University. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability or age. RWTH is strongly committed to encouraging women in their careers. Female applicants are given preference if they are equally suitable, competent, and professionally qualified, unless a fellow candidate is favored for a specific reason.
As RWTH is committed to equality of opportunity, we ask you not to include a photo in your application.
You can find information on the personal data we collect from applicants in accordance with Articles 13 and 14 of the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) at http://www.rwth-aachen.de/dsgvo-information-bewerbung.