Organisation/Company MPI of Biochemistry Department Grants Office Research Field Biological sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Application Deadline 31 Dec 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Berlin) Country Germany Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 32-40 Offer Starting Date 1 Jun 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe – COFUND Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101261790 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No
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.
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.
- long-term leave allowance
- special needs allowance
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.
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:
- an eligibility check to verify compliance with programme requirements and completeness of documentation;
- 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;
- submission of a full research proposal by shortlisted candidates;
- 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;
- 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.
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available 20 Company/Institute Implementing partner at various institutes Country Europe Geofield
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