📅 Last Updated: October 2026
Koç University Postdoc Fellowship 2026 — 95,000 TL/Month
Koç University in Istanbul, one of Türkiye’s leading research universities, has opened its KU Postdoctoral Fellowship Program for 2026–27. The call is open to researchers in all fields. Fellows receive 95,000 TL net a month, plus health insurance, a meal card and research support, on a 1-year contract extendable to 2 years.
The fellowship is open to early-career researchers within five years of their PhD, and external candidates are preferred. That makes it a realistic option for Pakistani and South Asian PhD holders. Applications close on 15 November 2026. This guide explains the benefits, eligibility, the strict application format, and how to secure the supervisor endorsement that every application needs.
| University/Organization | Koç University: Office of the Vice President for Research and Innovation (VPRI) |
| Country | Türkiye (Istanbul) |
| Degree/Level | Postdoctoral (within 5 years of PhD) |
| Funding Type | 95,000 TL net/month + health insurance + meal card + research support |
| Deadline | 15 November 2026, 23:59 (Turkey time) |
| Open To | International Researchers Worldwide |
| Pakistani Students Eligible | Yes |
| Official Link | Apply Here |
🎓 About the Koç University Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026
Koç University is a private, non-profit research university in Istanbul, established by the Vehbi Koç Foundation. It is known for strong research in engineering, the sciences, medicine, social sciences and business, and has well-equipped core facilities and an English-language academic environment.
The KU Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is run by the university’s research office (VPRI). Unlike project-specific postdoc jobs, it accepts proposals in all disciplines. You propose your own research plan with a Koç faculty supervisor, and the university’s fellowship committee selects the strongest candidates.
How it compares: Europe’s best-known postdoc fellowships, such as the Max Weber Fellowships or FRIAS in Freiburg, pay more but are extremely competitive and often limited to certain fields. Koç’s programme is open to every field, offers grant-writing and seed-funding support, and suits researchers who want to build an independent research profile while being supported by a strong supervisor.
💰 Benefits and Funding
- 💵 Fellowship amount: 95,000 TL net per month, on a fixed-term contract
- 🏥 Health insurance
- 🍽️ Meal allowance (meal card)
- 👶 Flexible nursery benefit for fellows with young children
- 📚 Library and sports facility access
- 🔬 Research support: access to infrastructure and core facilities, help with national and international grant applications, eligibility for internal seed grants, training programmes, and support for publishing, patenting and technology transfer
- 🛂 Visa and relocation support may be requested by international appointees
- 📆 Duration: 1 year, extendable to a maximum of 2 years (1+1), based on performance and funding
What it’s worth: 95,000 TL a month is roughly PKR 550,000–650,000 (approximate; the Turkish lira moves quickly, so check today’s rate). Istanbul is a large and increasingly expensive city, so housing will be your biggest cost. Ask your supervisor or the university about housing options early (verify current living costs).
Note that an earlier call paid a lower amount (72,000 TL), so make sure you rely on the 2026–27 figure.
✅ Eligibility Criteria
- PhD: a completed PhD, or official confirmation that you will complete within six months. Final-year PhD students may apply but must finish before the start date
- Career stage: within five years of your PhD at the time of appointment. Extensions may be considered for parental leave, compulsory service or medical reasons
- Research record: a strong publication record
- Skills: excellent written and spoken English, plus leadership, teamwork and a commitment to mentoring
- Preference: external candidates are preferred. Koç alumni and current affiliates may apply only if their project is clearly independent from their previous work
- Not eligible: anyone who has already held a Koç postdoc contract for more than two years
- Fields: all fields are eligible
English test status: no specific test score is listed. Excellent English is required and shown through your publications, proposal and interviews (verify on official website).
Pakistani students: eligible. There’s no nationality restriction, and external candidates are preferred.
✅ Strong Candidates
- Pakistani PhD holders within 5 years of graduating, with publications in respected international journals
- Researchers who can secure a Koç faculty supervisor’s endorsement before the deadline
- Applicants with an independent, well-scoped 1–2 year research plan
- Early-career researchers aiming to build a grant record through Koç’s seed grants and grant support
❌ Not the Right Fit If
- Your PhD was completed more than 5 years ago (without a qualifying extension)
- You can’t find a Koç supervisor willing to endorse you
- You need to start immediately, because international work permits can take 3–6 months
- You’re looking for a long-term (3+ year) position
On competitiveness for South Asian applicants: the supervisor endorsement is the gate. Pakistani applicants should email a Koç faculty member whose research closely matches theirs, with a one-page project idea and their CV, at least 2–3 weeks before 15 November. Publications in recognised international journals carry a lot of weight with the committee.
📚 Fields and Research Environment
The 2026–27 call states that all fields are eligible. Koç has research strengths across:
- Engineering and natural sciences: materials, chemistry, physics, computer science, AI, biomedical engineering
- Medicine and health sciences
- Social sciences and humanities: economics, political science, international relations, psychology, history, archaeology
- Business and law
The fellowship committee evaluates academic qualifications, the novelty and significance of your proposal, fit with your supervisor, and resource availability. Annual reviews look at research output, supervisor feedback, mentoring, contributions to the university and grant outcomes.
📄 Required Documents
- CV with a full publication list, Google Scholar and LinkedIn links, and research experience
- PhD diploma, or an official letter confirming completion within six months
- Three recommendation letters, with one from your PhD advisor
- Project proposal as a single PDF, containing a Project Abstract (max 300 words) and a Research Plan (max 2 pages, 11-pt font, margins of at least 2 cm)
- Supervisor endorsement and acceptance letter(s) from a Koç faculty member, with a Mentoring & Training Plan of up to one page
Important: incomplete or non-compliant applications, including those that exceed the page limits, will not be evaluated. Format your research plan exactly as specified.
Note for Pakistani applicants: keep HEC-attested degree documents ready. They are often needed for the Turkish work permit and residence process after selection.
🧭 Step-by-Step Application Process
- Identify 1–3 Koç faculty members whose research matches yours, using the university’s department and faculty pages.
- Email a potential supervisor with a one-page project idea and your CV, and ask whether they would endorse your application.
- Write the project proposal: a 300-word abstract and a 2-page research plan in the required format.
- Prepare the Mentoring & Training Plan (1 page) with your supervisor.
- Arrange three recommendation letters, one from your PhD advisor.
- Apply online through the Koç University application platform by 15 November 2026, 23:59 Turkey time.
- If selected, start the Turkish work permit process straight away. The fellowship should begin within six months of the decision.
Practical tip: treat the supervisor’s endorsement letter as your real deadline. Faculty need time to read your proposal and write a letter, so aim to have it agreed by early November.
📅 Important Dates
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application deadline | 15 November 2026, 23:59 (Turkey time) |
| Committee evaluation and decision | After the deadline (verify on official website) |
| Fellowship start | Within 6 months of the decision |
| Work permit (international fellows) | About 3–6 months |
📌 Bookmark this page. We update deadlines as soon as changes are announced.
🌟 Why Apply
For early-career researchers, a Koç fellowship offers an independent, supported postdoc in any field, at a well-resourced university, with grant-writing support and seed funding that can launch your own research programme. Istanbul’s position between Europe and Asia also makes it a strong base for international collaboration.
Compare it with other fellowships on Gradualin, such as the Gulbenkian Institute Fellowship and the Harvard Radcliffe Fellowship, or read our Study in Turkey guide. You can also browse all Scholarships, research positions in Jobs & Internships, proposal-writing guides in Guidelines & Resources, and research conferences in Events & Conferences.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
These questions are based on what students most commonly search about this program.
Q: Can Pakistani researchers apply for the Koç University Postdoctoral Fellowship?
Yes. The fellowship is open to international applicants in all fields, and external candidates are preferred. You must be within five years of your PhD and have a Koç faculty supervisor’s endorsement.
Q: How much does the Koç postdoc fellowship pay?
95,000 TL net per month for the 2026–27 call, plus health insurance, a meal card, a flexible nursery benefit and research support.
Q: How long is the fellowship?
One year initially, extendable to a maximum of two years (1+1), based on performance and funding.
Q: Do I need a supervisor before applying?
Yes. You must submit a supervisor endorsement and acceptance letter from a Koç faculty member, together with a one-page mentoring and training plan.
Q: Can I apply before finishing my PhD?
Yes, if you’re in your final year and can provide an official letter confirming completion within six months. You must complete all PhD requirements before the fellowship starts.
Q: When is the deadline?
15 November 2026 at 23:59 Turkey time, through Koç University’s online application platform.
🔗 Official Source
- Koç University: KU Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (application platform)
- Koç University Research (VPRI)
Programme details are taken from Koç University’s official 2026–27 call for applications. Confirm the latest terms on the application platform before you apply.
📊 Summary Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | KU Postdoctoral Fellowship Program 2026–27 |
| University | Koç University, Istanbul, Türkiye |
| Fields | All fields |
| Fellowship | 95,000 TL net/month |
| Benefits | Health insurance, meal card, nursery benefit, seed grants, grant support |
| Duration | 1 year, extendable to 2 |
| Eligibility | Within 5 years of PhD; strong publications; external candidates preferred |
| Key Documents | CV, PhD diploma, 3 references, 2-page research plan, supervisor endorsement |
| Deadline | 15 November 2026 |
| Pakistani Students Eligible | Yes |
| Official Link | apply.ku.edu.tr |
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