After completing a doctoral degree in chemistry, individuals often ponder their next steps, considering options like academia, industry, or postdoctoral positions. While securing a postdoctoral opportunity may seem daunting, it's certainly achievable even for those without a plethora of high-impact research articles or extensive post-PhD experience.
Certainly, having a strong publication record and
established connections of supervisors can bolster one's chances. However, it's
essential to recognize that there are pathways to postdoctoral positions beyond
these traditional markers of success.
Minimum eligibility for postdoctoral opportunities for early career researchers
Understanding the landscape of postdoctoral fellowships and
their application timelines is key. Many fellowship programs exist to support
early-career researchers, providing opportunities to pursue postdoctoral
research in diverse fields and locations. By actively exploring and applying
for these fellowships, individuals can increase their chances of securing a
postdoctoral position, regardless of their publication record or prior
experience. However, you should at least have 1 first author publication or 4-5
co-author articles in peer reviewed journals.
Ultimately, the key lies in awareness and proactive engagement with available opportunities. By staying informed about fellowship programs and their application cycles, individuals can position themselves effectively to embark on the next phase of their research career.
- The applicant must hold a Ph.D. degree in Chemistry or is about to receive the PhD degree in next six months.
- The maximum age limit for applying is usually 35 years, although this can vary slightly depending on the specific guidelines for each year.
- The candidate must have obtained their Ph.D. degree within the last five years.
- They should have a proven track record of research publications in reputed journals.
Postdoctoral Fellowships for Chemistry Scholars in India
Various government/private institutes and agencies releases notifications for the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program periodically throughout the year. However, some fellowship opportunities are only available once in a year and generally release notifications mostly during first quarter of every year.
- National Post Doctoral Fellowship (N-PDF) by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB). (Announces the opening of applications in the first quarter of the calendar year)
- Department of Science and Technology (DST) INSPIRE Faculty Scheme. (Releases notifications for the INSPIRE Faculty Scheme in the first half of the calendar year)
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Postdoctoral Fellowship. (Usually releases notifications for the Postdoctoral Fellowship program in the first quarter of the calendar year)
- Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. (Releases notifications periodically throughout the year)
- Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) Postdoctoral Fellowship. (Releases notifications periodically throughout the year)
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. (Releases notifications periodically throughout the year)
- Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR) Postdoctoral Fellowship. (Releases notifications periodically throughout the year)
- Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) Postdoctoral Fellowship. (Releases notifications periodically throughout the year)
- Department of Biotechnology (DBT) Postdoctoral Fellowship. (Releases notifications periodically throughout the year)
- Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Postdoctoral Fellowship. (Releases notifications periodically throughout the year)
Postdoctoral Fellowships for Chemistry Scholars in Overseas
- Indo-US Postdoctoral Fellowship: Collaboration between India and the US for postdoc research.
- Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Individual Fellowships: Funded by the EU for researchers across the globe.
- Humboldt Research Fellowship: Funded by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, open to all nationalities.
- Newton International Fellowships: Funded by the UK government for international researchers.
- HFSP Cross-Disciplinary Fellowships (CDF): International fellowship.
- Royal Society Newton International Fellowship: Funded by the UK government for international researchers.
- CIFAR Azrieli Global Scholars Program: For early-career researchers in Canada and globally.
- JSPS Postdoctoral Fellowship: Funded by Japan Society for the Promotion of Science.
- SNSF Postdoctoral Fellowships: Funded by the Swiss National Science Foundation.
- EMBL Interdisciplinary Postdocs: At the European Molecular Biology Laboratory.
- Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships: For foreign scholars.
- DAAD Research Grants.
- CAS President's International Fellowship Initiative: For international scholars in China.
How to apply for postdoctoral Fellowship in India and Overseas
Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for a Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
- Begin by reviewing the eligibility criteria of the fellowship program and identifying the countries where applications are accepted.
- Next, seek out a suitable host institution by exploring various university or research institute websites. Look for potential supervisors whose collaboration aligns with your research interests and would be beneficial for your project.
- Craft a cover letter outlining your research interests, past experiences, and expectations. Attach your curriculum vitae (CV) and email it to the potential supervisor, expressing your interest in applying for the fellowship program and proposing to collaborate on a research project.
- Upon finding a supervisor willing to support your application, proceed to develop a research project in collaboration with them. Ensure the project addresses the objectives of the fellowship program and aligns with your research interests and expertise.
- Compile all requested certificates and documents, and submit your project proposal before the application deadline. Pay close attention to any specific requirements outlined by the fellowship program and ensure all necessary materials are included in your submission.
