2024 TWAS-ICCBS Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme for Developing Countries.

The TWAS-ICCBS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is a collaboration between The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) located at the University of Karachi in Pakistan. This fellowship program aims to provide support and opportunities for early-career researchers from developing countries to conduct postdoctoral research in the fields of chemical and biological sciences at ICCBS.

ICCBS is a renowned research institution in the fields of chemistry, biology, and related disciplines, with state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant research community. Through its collaboration with TWAS, ICCBS offers postdoctoral fellowships to outstanding researchers who wish to pursue advanced research and training in one of ICCBS’s laboratories.

The TWAS-ICCBS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program provides successful applicants with financial support to cover living expenses, research expenses, and travel costs associated with their fellowship. The duration of the fellowship typically ranges from six months to two years, depending on the specific research project and funding availability.

Fellows have the opportunity to conduct research under the supervision of experienced faculty members and researchers at ICCBS, working on projects that align with their research interests and career goals. They also have access to ICCBS’s world-class facilities, laboratories, and research infrastructure, as well as opportunities to collaborate with other researchers and participate in seminars, workshops, and conferences.

The fellowship program is open to researchers from developing countries who have obtained a doctoral degree in a relevant field of chemical or biological sciences within the past five years. Applicants are selected based on their academic qualifications, research experience, publications, and the scientific merit and feasibility of their proposed research project.

Overall, the TWAS-ICCBS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers a valuable opportunity for early-career researchers from developing countries to gain international research experience, enhance their skills and expertise, and contribute to scientific knowledge and innovation in the fields of chemical and biological sciences. By supporting capacity building and collaboration in scientific research, the program aims to promote sustainable development and address global challenges facing developing countries.

The International Centre for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) — comprising the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and the Dr. Panjwani Centre for Molecular and Drug Research in Karachi, Pakistan — and TWAS offer fellowships to young scientists from developing countries (other than Pakistan) who wish to pursue research towards a PhD in chemical and biological sciences.

TWAS-ICCBS Postgraduate Fellowships are tenable at the International Center for Chemical and Biological Sciences (ICCBS) – comprising the H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry and the Dr. Panjwani Center for Molecular and Drug Research – for studies leading to a PhD degree in the following fields: organic chemistry, biochemistry, biotechnology, molecular medicine, pharmacology, physical chemistry or analytical chemistry.

Benefits

ICCBS will provide a monthly stipend which should be used to cover living costs such as food, accommodation, local transportation and incidental minor illness. The monthly stipend will not be convertible into foreign currency.

Requirements For The TWAS-ICCBS Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

Applicants for these fellowships must meet the following criteria:

Be a maximum age of 45 years on 31 December of the application year.
Be nationals of a developing country (other than Pakistan);
Hold a PhD degree in a field of natural sciences;
Must not hold any visa for temporary or permanent residency in Pakistan or any developed country;
Be regularly employed in a developing country (other than Pakistan) and hold a research assignment there;
Provide a certificate of good health from a qualified medical doctor;
Provide an official Preliminary Acceptance Letter from ICCBS (see sample letter that can be downloaded below or contained in the online application form). Requests for acceptance must be directed to the Director of ICCBS, Prof. Dr. Farzana Shaheen (farzana-shaheen@iccs.edu or hej@cyber.net.pk or pcmd@cyber.net.pk or protocol.iccbs@iccs.edu) who will facilitate the assignment of a host supervisor. In contacting Prof. Farzana Shaheen, applicants must accompany their request for a preliminary acceptance letter with copy of their CV, a research proposal outline and two recommendation letters.
Provide evidence of proficiency in English, if medium of education was not English.
Candidates are encouraged to refer to the following resources to test their level of English:https://www.daad.de/en/study-and-research-in-germany/scholarships/important-information-for-scholarship-applicants/ (see Point 9)https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/english-levels/online-english-level-test https://www.britishcouncil.org/english/learn-online/englishscore
Provide evidence of proficiency in English, if medium of education was not English;
Provide evidence that s/he will return to her/his home country on completion of the fellowship;
Not take up other assignments during the period of her/his fellowship;
Be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.