ESA Research Fellowship in Space Science (Postdoctoral Fellowships)
Solar-Terrestrial Sciences (ST)
We are pleased to announce the 2026 Call for Applications for the European Space Agency's Research Fellowships in Space Science. We expect to hire ~9-10 postdoctoral fellows who will start their fellowship in fall 2027.
The deadline for applications is 21 September 2026.
ESA's postdoctoral Research Fellowship programme offers early-career researchers the possibility to carry out independent research in a variety of disciplines. Research Fellowships in Space Science offer the opportunity to contribute to ESA's endeavour to explore our Solar System and the Universe in the fields of heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, and fundamental physics.
ESA Research Fellow contracts have a maximum duration of three years. Projects initially last two years and are frequently extended to a third year upon submission of a dedicated proposal.
Research Fellowships in Space Science can be located at any of the following institutes:
- European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Villafranca del Castillo near Madrid, Spain
- European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands
- ESA Office at Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) in Baltimore, Maryland, USA
Detailed information and a link to the application portal can be found on the fellowship webpage: https://www.cosmos.esa.int/fellowship