Postdoctoral fellowships, research scientist positions and early-career grants open to Pakistani citizens — from Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Humboldt fellowships to salaried postdoc jobs in Europe, the Gulf and East Asia.
How to apply as a Pakistani researcher
- Check the time-since-PhD rule. MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships require no more than 8 years of experience since the PhD; Humboldt Research Fellowships for postdocs allow up to 4 years. Career breaks can extend these limits.
- Find a host first. Most fellowships are written together with a host supervisor. Contact potential hosts 3–6 months before the call closes.
- Mobility rules matter. MSCA requires that you have not lived or worked mainly in the host country for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the deadline.
- Salaried jobs vs fellowships. A postdoc job is an employment contract for a specific project; a fellowship funds your own project. Apply for both.
- Prepare a strong research proposal and publication list. See our research proposal guide.
- Apply only through official portals — genuine fellowships never charge application fees.
Open postdoc opportunities for Pakistani citizens
PhD & Research Positions in ERC-Funded Projects (Europe)
European Research Council (ERC) grant holders · via EURAXESS
Multiple countries
- Salary
- Open to all nationalities
- Study level: PhD, Postdoc / early career
- PhD contracts usually 3–4 years
Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships — Research (PhD & Postdoc)
Swiss Confederation (SERI / FCS)
Switzerland
- Stipend
- Open to all nationalities
- Study level: PhD, Postdoc / early career
- Up to the length set in the award (PhD, postdoc or research stay)
Humboldt Research Fellowship (Germany)
Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
Germany
- Fully funded, Stipend
- All nationalities except Germany
- Study level: Postdoc / early career
- 6–24 months (postdocs) · 6–18 months (experienced)
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (Europe & Global)
European Commission — Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
Multiple countries
- Fully funded, Salary
- Open to all nationalities
- Study level: Postdoc / early career
- 1–2 years (European) · 2–3 years (Global)
EURAXESS: PhD, Postdoc & Research Jobs in Europe
European Commission — EURAXESS
Multiple countries
- Salary
- Open to all nationalities
- Study level: PhD, Postdoc / early career
- Varies by position (PhD positions are usually 3–4 years)
Want to know which of these you qualify for? Create a free profile — add your PhD year and every listing shows your eligibility. Questions? Message us on WhatsApp.