Postdoc Positions

Offer Description

SynCell-nExUs, (“SynCellEU programme for recruiting next generation European leaders in Synthetic Cell research”) is a new pan-European postdoctoral excellence programme led by the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science e.V. and managed in collaboration with the European Synthetic Cell Initiative (SynCellEU). The programme will run for five years, during which a total of 40 postdoctoral fellowships will be offered. The appointed fellows will join an interdisciplinary community of researchers dedicated to building synthetic cells from the bottom up. By recreating essential cellular functions, this community aims to better understand how living cells work and to translate this knowledge into cutting-edge, nature-inspired technologies. In this 1st call, SynCell-nExUs offers 20 fully funded, 3-year postdoctoral fellowships.

Applicants are invited to develop their own research project in one of the following SynCell nExUs research lines on synthetic cells:

• Metabolism and energy;
• Division and replication;
• Information processing and evolution;
• Enabling technologies.

Selected fellows will be appointed at one of the proposed hosting labs, where they will work at the own research project, while being embedded in the lab and receiving supervision by the hosting PI. At the same time, they will participate in the activities of the network. They also will have the opportunity for exchange through a personalized programme of visits and secondments. Detailed information can be found in the Application Package that can be downloaded on the SnCell-nExUs website (see link under "Application Procedure")

Where to apply

Website: https://syntheticcell.eu/syncellnexus/how-to-apply/

Requirements

• Research Field: Other
• Education Level: PhD or equivalent

Additional Information

Benefits

Duration of contract is 3 years. Temporary.

A job of 32-40 hours per week depending on the hosting country.

Appointment is at one of the participating hosting labs, with full social security coverage in the hosting country.

A competitive salary in line with MSCA COFUND requirements. The remuneration will include the applicable social security contributions, taxes, and other mandatory deductions in accordance with the national legislation of the host institution.

Where applicable, additional allowances may be provided, including a long-term leave allowance and a special needs allowance.

For further details on the employment conditions and remuneration, please consult the Application Package that can be downloaded here: https://syntheticcell.eu/syncellnexus/how-to-apply/

Eligibility criteria

A PhD degree, in a field relevant to the SynCell-nExUs programme, at the time of the call deadline. Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis, but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered as postdoctoral researchers and will be considered eligible to apply.

Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

Ability to work independently as well as in multidisciplinary research teams.

Excellent knowledge of the English language.

Good organisational and time-management skills.

Please consult the Application Package for further details and templates.

Furthermore, candidates must comply with the COFUND-specific eligibility rules:

Mobility rule: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation or implementing partner for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the deadline of the co-funded programme's call.

Applicants must not already be permanently employed by the organisation hosting them

Selection process

Applications are evaluated by independent international experts within the relevant scientific committee, ensuring a transparent, merit-based process while excluding proposed hosts from assessing candidates in their own research area. The selection procedure consists of five stages:

1. an eligibility check to verify compliance with programme requirements and completeness of documentation;
2. a remote scientific evaluation (40 points) assessing academic excellence, research achievements, research proposal quality, and motivation, with a minimum score of 25/40 required to progress;
3. submission of a full research proposal by shortlisted candidates;
4. an online interview and full proposal assessment (60 points combined), evaluating research quality, scientific potential, leadership capacity, and communication skills, with a minimum score of 35/60 required;
5. and final ranking and fellowship offers based on a total score out of 100 points.

All applicants receive feedback through an Evaluation Summary Report, and reserve lists are maintained to fill any vacancies.

For a more detailed description of the evaluation methodology, scoring criteria, timelines, and procedures, applicants are encouraged to consult the Guide for Applicants available on the website.

Work Location(s)

• Number of offers available: 20
• Company/Institute: Implementing partner at various institutes
• Country: Europe

Contact

• City: München
• Website: https://www.biochem.mpg.de/
• Street: Am Klopferspitz 18
• Postal Code: 82152