The TWAS-NCP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme is designed to offer young scientists from developing countries (excluding Pakistan) the opportunity to pursue postdoctoral research in the physical sciences at the National Centre for Physics (NCP) in Islamabad, Pakistan. This programme aims to foster international collaboration in the scientific community and promote advanced research in various scientific fields.
Programme Overview
- Research Opportunities: Fellows can engage in research in a wide range of scientific fields at NCP, including but not limited to Plasma Physics, High Energy Physics (both experimental and theoretical), Quantum Information, Applications of Ion Beam Techniques, Atomic Physics & Spectroscopy, and more. This diversity allows scholars to contribute to cutting-edge research and expand their scientific expertise.
- Duration: The fellowship lasts a minimum of six months and can extend up to 12 months, providing a substantial period for scholars to immerse themselves in research projects and collaborations.
- Support and Stipend: The NCP provides a monthly stipend to cover living costs such as food, accommodation, and health insurance. However, this stipend cannot be converted to foreign currency, indicating that it must be spent locally in Pakistan.
- Language of Instruction: All activities within the programme are conducted in English, ensuring that scholars from various backgrounds can participate effectively.
Eligibility Criteria
- Residency and Nationality: Applicants must be permanent residents of a developing country, excluding Pakistan, and must not hold any temporary or permanent residency visa for Pakistan or any developed country.
- Educational Background: Candidates should have a PhD in a natural sciences field and apply within five years of receiving their doctorate.
- Employment and Research Commitment: Applicants must be regularly employed in their home country and hold a research position there. They must also commit to returning to their home country after completing the fellowship.
- Health and Language Proficiency: A health certificate from a qualified doctor is required, and evidence of English proficiency must be provided if English was not the medium of prior education.
- Acceptance Letter: Applicants must secure an acceptance letter from NCP by contacting the Director of the Collaboration & Academic Activities Directorate (CAAD) at NCP and submitting a copy of their CV and research proposal outline.
Application Process
- Submission and Deadlines: Applications must be submitted through the TWAS online portal. The call for applications opens on 8 April 2024, and the deadline for submission is 1 July 2024 (midnight CEST time).
- Preliminary Acceptance: Securing an acceptance letter from NCP is essential for the application to be considered. Applicants are encouraged to obtain this letter as early as possible.
- Online Application: The application is submitted online, and applicants can save and retrieve their application until they are ready to submit it. After submission, modifications cannot be made.
Additional Considerations
- Family Financial Responsibility: Fellows are responsible for any financial costs associated with accompanying family members during their stay in Pakistan.
- Programme Participation: Applicants may only apply for one programme per calendar year within the TWAS and OWSD portfolios. If an institution head invites an external scholar under TWAS Visiting Professor programmes, the head may still apply for another programme.
For more information on the programme, including application instructions and further details, please visit the TWAS-NCP Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme page.
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