Summary
The LEAPS ULTRAFAST Network, funded by Horizon Europe’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions, is offering approximately 50 postdoctoral fellowship positions for researchers interested in cutting-edge ultrafast science, photon science, advanced materials, energy, health, and future technologies.
The fellowships will run for 2 or 3 years, depending on the research area, with projects hosted across eight leading European research institutions and their world-class large-scale facilities, including synchrotrons, free-electron lasers (FELs), accelerators, and advanced laser laboratories.
Fellows will benefit from outstanding research opportunities, international collaborations, professional networking, and dedicated career-development training designed to prepare them for careers in both academia and industry.
LEAPS ULTRAFAST Postdoctoral Fellowships 2026 – Around 50 Funded Positions in Ultrafast Science
📋 Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme | LEAPS ULTRAFAST |
| Position | Postdoctoral Fellow |
| Number of Positions | Around 50 |
| Fellowship Duration | 2 or 3 years |
| Research Areas | Matter & Materials; Energy & Environment; Health & Life Sciences; Future Technologies |
| Host Institutions | DESY, European XFEL, PSI, HZDR, SOLEIL, Lund University/MAX IV, UAM/CMAM, HFML-FELIX |
| Facilities | Synchrotrons, FELs, accelerators, advanced laser systems and specialized laboratories |
| Location | Multiple locations across Europe |
| Call Opens | July 6, 2026 |
| Application Deadline | September 30, 2026 |
| Online Interviews | November 30 – December 9, 2026 |
| Expected Fellowship Start | Beginning of 2027 |
| Funding | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions / Horizon Europe |
Designation
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Approximately 50 fellowship positions are available across the LEAPS ULTRAFAST network.
🔬 Research Areas
The programme supports research across four major scientific domains:
1. Matter and Materials
Research may include:
- Electronic dynamics in molecules and materials
- Advanced materials research
- Ultrafast structural and electronic phenomena
2. Energy and Environment
Research may focus on:
- Catalytic reactions
- Green energy technologies
- Energy-related materials and processes
- Environmental challenges
3. Health and Life Sciences
Potential areas include:
- Biomolecular structures
- Molecular imaging
- Structural biology
- Research supporting drug development
4. Future Technologies
Research may include:
- Quantum materials
- Ultrafast photonics
- Next-generation computing technologies
- Advanced technological materials
📍 Location
Fellowships are hosted across the LEAPS ULTRAFAST network at leading European photon-science institutions and research facilities, including:
- DESY – Germany: PETRA III synchrotron and FLASH free-electron laser
- European XFEL – Germany: World’s largest X-ray laser
- PSI – Switzerland: SwissFEL free-electron laser
- HZDR – Germany: ELBE accelerator and high-power laser systems
- SOLEIL – France: High-intensity synchrotron
- Lund University / MAX IV – Sweden: Next-generation synchrotron light source
- UAM / CMAM – Spain: Ion beam facility
- HFML-FELIX – Netherlands: Free-electron laser facilities
Together, the network provides access to more than 20 large-scale facilities and specialized laboratories.
🎓 Eligibility / Qualification
The provided programme information identifies the opportunities as postdoctoral fellowships. Therefore, applicants should have a doctoral-level research background relevant to the proposed research project.
Candidates should have research interests and expertise aligned with areas such as:
- Ultrafast science
- Photon science
- Materials science
- Structural biology
- Energy and environmental research
- Accelerator physics
- Ultrafast photonics
- Quantum materials
- Molecular and atomic dynamics
Important: Applicants should consult the official LEAPS ULTRAFAST Applicant Guide and application information for the complete eligibility requirements, including doctoral-degree, mobility, experience, and other Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions conditions.
💼 Job Description
Selected Postdoctoral Fellows will:
- Conduct cutting-edge research at leading European photon-science facilities.
- Develop specialized scientific and technical expertise through high-quality research.
- Work with internationally recognized experimental and theoretical research groups.
- Access synchrotrons, free-electron lasers, accelerators, and advanced laser systems.
- Develop and shape research projects from a broad portfolio of scientific opportunities.
- Collaborate with universities, research centers, industry partners, supervisors, and research leaders.
- Participate in international and intersectoral research collaborations.
- Develop professional networks that can support future academic and industrial careers.
- Participate in dedicated career-development and transferable-skills training.
- Develop skills in communication, project management, innovation, and entrepreneurship.
- Contribute to research addressing major societal and industrial challenges, including molecular imaging, metrology, green energy, and advanced materials.
🌍 Why Join LEAPS ULTRAFAST?
The programme offers more than a traditional postdoctoral position. Fellows will receive:
- Access to 20+ large-scale facilities and specialized laboratories
- Research opportunities at world-leading photon-science centers
- Collaboration with internationally recognized scientists
- International and intersectoral networking opportunities
- Dedicated career-development training
- Training in communication, project management, innovation, and entrepreneurship
- Opportunities to build careers in both academia and industry
- Exposure to advanced experimental and theoretical research environments
📝 How to Apply
Interested researchers should review the official LEAPS ULTRAFAST programme and application guidelines and submit their application through the designated online application process.
Official Programme:
https://www.leaps-ultrafast.eu/programme
Application Information:
https://www.leaps-ultrafast.eu/applying
Applicants are strongly advised to carefully review the official Guide for Applicants before submitting their application.
Contact: leaps-ultrafast[at]desy.de
📅 Last Date to Apply
September 30, 2026
Important Dates
- Call Opening: July 6, 2026
- Application Deadline: September 30, 2026
- Online Interviews: November 30 – December 9, 2026
- Fellowship Start: Beginning of 2027
- Fellowship Duration: 2 or 3 years, depending on the research area
About LEAPS ULTRAFAST
LEAPS ULTRAFAST brings together eight leading European photon-science institutions to create an exceptional research and training environment for postdoctoral researchers. The network combines world-class research infrastructures with professional development and international collaboration, enabling Fellows to pursue ambitious research while developing skills for long-term careers.
Funded by: Horizon Europe – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
