Next deadline for applications is 01/11/2026, with earliest starting date 01/03/2027

Scope

To support short-term visits (minimum one month up to four months) by early-career scientists (up to three years from the PhD) of any nationality to spend part of their research experience at ESO. We aim at offering a flexible channel through which young astronomers can enrich their professional profile with short-term research experience in the vibrant scientific environment of one of the world's leading observatories. With this programme, ESO aims to promote scientific interaction with its community and research institutions worldwide and enhance ESO's role as an astronomical centre of excellence.

While working on their research project, there will be the opportunity for early-career astronomers to promote their research and look for new potential collaborators through this programme.

While visiting the ESO-HQ in Garching, the early-career scientists have the unique chance to meet ESO experts who are deeply involved in the development and operations of the ESO facilities (La Silla Paranal Observatory, including APEX, and ALMA), e.g. proposal preparation, observation preparation, data processing and archive research. The Office for Science is happy to help the visitor upon arrival and facilitate possible informal encounters with ESO experts. Such meetings will be offered on a best-effort basis and depending on the availability of the ESO resources.

Who is eligible

Through this programme, ESO accepts applications from students enrolled in a PhD in astronomy or related disciplines and from Post-Doctoral researchers up to three years from the PhD. No nationality is in principle excluded. However, preference will be given to nationals of Australia, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and Chile irrespective of gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, ethnicity or religion.

ESO has established diversity as an important value of the Organisation, is committed to providing an equal opportunities environment and is actively seeking to promote a diverse and inclusive workforce.

PhD students or scientists without an affiliation and job contract during the entire time of the planned visit are not eligible for this programme.

How to apply

There are four application deadlines each year. The earliest possible start dates are 3.5 or 4 months after the corresponding application deadline, as follows:

Eligible scientists who wish to apply are kindly requested to contact an ESO staff member or fellow directly and coordinate their planned visit with them. Alternatively, prospective applicants may contact the Chair of the ESO Visitor Selection Committee (VSC) (vsc-chair@eso.org), who can put them in touch with an ESO staff member in their field.

Applicants should then complete the application form (see the menu on the right) and submit it by email to the Chair of the VSC (vsc-chair@eso.org). They should also ensure that their hosting ESO staff member or fellow submits a letter of support to the same email address before the application deadline.

The length of the visits can vary from one month to a maximum of four. As a rule, visitors of the past two years will not be allowed a new visit in this scheme. If you have been a visitor more than two years ago, please provide a brief summary of the outcome of your past visit. Applications for shorter visits are handled directly by the Head of the Office for Science and the Director for Science.

The Visitor Programme tends to be heavily subscribed during the summer months (June–August). Whenever possible, applicants are therefore encouraged to plan visits at other times of the year.

Selection Committee and evaluation process

Applications to the ESO Visitor Programme are evaluated by the ESO Scientific Visitor Selection Committee (VSC). The members of the VSC are selected from the ESO Faculty and represent a broad range of scientific expertise. Following each application deadline, the VSC reviews all submitted applications and recommends candidates to the Head of the Office for Science. It follows the approved visits with the appropriate correspondence and arrangements and globally monitors the ongoing visits to make them successful.

The evaluation is done considering the candidate's scientific excellence and the scientific project proposed for the visit. Also, the project's feasibility in terms of goals against the requested time is taken into consideration. 

While synergies between the proposed work plan during the visits with the scientific interest of the ESO scientific community are not mandatory, ESO strongly encourages visitors to use this opportunity to interact and establish new collaborations with the community of ESO staff, fellows and students.

Support to and Duties of the Visitors

While at ESO, a scientific visitor has the status of Unpaid Associate and receives a monthly allowance to cover living expenses and family support (if needed). Generally, ESO provides accommodation for visitors in the form of fully furnished apartments in Garching. Should the visitor arrange to stay elsewhere, reimbursement of accommodation expenses at the level of the costs of a comparable ESO apartment is possible if rent proof of payment is submitted. Travel expenses to and from ESO are also generally reimbursed.  

Upon his/her arrival, the visitor is supported by the secretary of the scientific visitor programme, Denisa Tako (denisa.tako@eso.org), on the administrative aspects of their visit. The contact person (the scientific collaborator at ESO or a member of the staff identified at the time of the invitation) has the task of introducing the visitor to the scientific life at ESO. An office is assigned to every approved visitor, as well as a computer terminal upon request and an account. 

All visitors are requested to give either a seminar or an informal discussion during their stay at ESO. We also request that any publications resulting from the visit include an acknowledgement of the ESO Scientific Visitor Programme.

All guests are expected to adhere to the ESO code of conduct.