MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026: The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) is a prestigious funding programme established by the European Union to support the career development of outstanding early-career researchers. The fellowship enables talented researchers to conduct independent research projects for 12–24 months at a host institution with expert supervision.
The Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute (CATRIN) at Palacký University Olomouc invites motivated postdoctoral researchers to submit joint MSCA-PF proposals. Selected candidates will receive full funding covering salary, social security, research costs, training, travel, and conference expenses. The programme also supports skill development in areas such as grant writing, project management, open science practices, and intellectual property management.
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 at CATRIN, Czech Republic
Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Fellowship Name | Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA-PF) |
| Host Institution | CATRIN – Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute |
| Location | Olomouc, Czech Republic |
| Duration | 12 – 24 Months |
| Funding | Fully funded (salary + research & training budget) |
| Application Mode | Online through OnBoard Application |
| Eligibility | PhD holders within 8 years of degree |
| Deadline | 9 September 2026 |
Designation
Postdoctoral Fellow (MSCA-PF Fellow)
Research Areas
Candidates may propose interdisciplinary projects aligned with CATRIN research strengths, including:
- Nanotechnology
- Biotechnology
- Biomedicine
- Advanced materials
- Chemical biology
- Biomedical sciences
- Molecular sciences
- Interdisciplinary science combining multiple research domains
Location
CATRIN – Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute
Palacký University Olomouc
Olomouc, Czech Republic
Eligibility / Qualification
Applicants must meet the following requirements by 9 September 2026:
Mandatory Criteria
- Successfully defended Ph.D. thesis.
- PhD awarded within the last 8 years.
- Must not have resided in the Czech Republic for more than 12 months between September 2023 and September 2026.
Preferred Qualifications
- Participation in research projects as co-investigator or work-package leader.
- International research experience (employment, PhD, or research stay abroad).
- PhD from a recognized or prestigious university.
- Strong publication record, preferably Q1 or Q2 journals.
- Experience in international collaborations.
- Collaboration experience with non-academic sectors.
- Evidence of first-author or independent publications.
Job Description
Selected fellows will:
- Design and conduct an independent research project with scientific novelty.
- Work under supervision of an expert at CATRIN.
- Combine multidisciplinary methods and knowledge to address research questions.
- Participate in training activities including:
- Research methodology
- Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
- Grant proposal writing
- Publication strategy
- Project management
- Open science practices
- Engage in scientific collaboration, conferences, and workshops.
- Contribute to the advancement of knowledge within the host research group.
Financial Support
The MSCA-PF fellowship provides full financial coverage, including:
- Competitive salary
- Social security and health insurance
- Research and training budget
- Funding for travel, workshops, conferences, and publication costs
Funding is calculated under the EU unit-cost model based on the duration of the project (12–24 months).
Alternative Funding Opportunities
Applicants submitting MSCA-PF proposals with CATRIN may also be considered for additional funding opportunities:
ERA Fellowships
- EU funding for highly ranked MSCA proposals not selected initially.
- Automatically considered if eligible.
MSCA-CZ
- Czech national funding for projects scoring 70% or above in MSCA evaluation but not funded.
- Applications resubmitted by the Czech host institution.
This provides three possible funding opportunities from one proposal.
Supervisors & Potential Mentors
Candidates may collaborate with leading researchers at CATRIN, including:
- Prof. Michal Otyepka
- Prof. Zdeněk Trávníček
- Aristides Bakandritsos
- Kateřina Poláková
- Jan Filip
- Štěpán Kment
- Bruno de la Torre
- Prof. Alexander Dömling
- Petr Jakubec
- Prof. Ivo Frébort
- Prof. Ladislav Bocák
- Nuria de Diego
- Marián Hajdúch
- Ján Vančo
Applicants are encouraged to review publications and research projects of potential supervisors before selecting their research topic.
Selection Process
Applications will be evaluated in several stages:
- Eligibility check
- Relevance assessment
- Interview with potential supervisor
Selected candidates will receive support from the CATRIN Grant Office, including:
- MSCA proposal preparation workshops
- Individual consultation sessions
- Guidance in proposal writing and submission
About CATRIN
CATRIN – the Czech Advanced Technology and Research Institute – is a multidisciplinary scientific center at Palacký University Olomouc focusing on nanotechnology, biotechnology, and biomedicine.
Key highlights:
- Over 180 scientists from around the world
- 33% international researchers
- 13 specialized research groups
- Strong collaboration with academic and industrial partners
- More than 270 publications in 2022, including many high-impact journals
- Active participation in major EU research programmes, including ERC and EIC grants
CATRIN provides state-of-the-art research infrastructure and a vibrant international environment for postdoctoral researchers.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should submit their application through the OnBoard Application Portal.
Applications typically require:
- CV
- Publication list
- Research proposal idea
- Motivation letter
- Identification of a potential supervisor
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted for interviews and supported in preparing the final MSCA-PF grant proposal.
Last Date to Apply
9 September 2026
