The SynCell-nExUs Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 offer 20 funded research positions in Europe, each lasting 36 months. Led by the Max Planck Society and co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND, the programme provides paid postdoctoral employment, social security coverage, research training, and opportunities for international collaboration.
Researchers of all nationalities can apply, provided they have a relevant PhD or complete an unconditional doctoral defence before the deadline and meet the MSCA mobility rule for their proposed host country. The fellowships cover synthetic biology, biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology, and related research fields. Applications are open until 31 December 2026 at 23:59 Central European Time (CET). Selected researchers will join participating European institutions in 2027, with individual start dates agreed with their hosts.
SynCell-nExUs Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027: Overview
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Programme | SynCell-nExUs Postdoctoral Fellowship |
| Funding scheme | Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND |
| Coordinating organisation | Max Planck Society, Germany |
| Fellowship positions | 20 in the first call; 40 across two calls |
| Host countries | Nine European countries |
| Academic level | Postdoctoral research |
| Fellowship duration | 36 months |
| Funding | Gross salary, employment benefits and social security |
| Nationality | Open internationally, subject to eligibility rules |
| Application status | Open |
| Application deadline | 31 December 2026, 23:59 CET |
| Expected start | June–August 2027, subject to host agreement |
| Application method | Online, through research-area-specific portals |
The programme is coordinated by the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry and the Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology. It brings together universities and research institutes working on the development and understanding of synthetic cells.
Research Areas and Available Postdoctoral Positions
SynCell-nExUs supports bottom-up synthetic biology, an interdisciplinary research field that seeks to construct cell-like systems from biological and chemical components.
Applicants develop their own research ideas within one of four programme areas.
| Research area | Examples of research topics |
|---|---|
| Metabolism and Energy for Synthetic Cells | Artificial photosynthesis, carbon-converting networks, minimal metabolism, artificial organelles and membrane energetics |
| Synthetic Cell Division and Replication | Artificial cell division, chromosome segregation, synthetic cytoskeletons, DNA partitioning and membrane fission |
| Information Processing and Evolution of Synthetic Cells | Artificial genetic systems, synthetic signalling, protocell evolution, autocatalytic networks and minimal multicellular systems |
| Enabling Technologies for Synthetic Cells | Protein design, DNA/RNA origami, cell-free protein expression, microfluidics, synthetic compartments and biofabrication |
The programme also covers research involving molecular biology, genetics, biophysics, computational biology, nanotechnology and biosystems engineering.
Applicants are not restricted to copying an existing supervisor’s research project. They must develop an original proposal that fits the programme’s scientific themes and the expertise and infrastructure of potential host laboratories.
Researchers whose expertise is closer to organic chemistry, synthetic methodology, or advanced materials may also want to explore the MATERIALIZE Postdoctoral Fellowship 2027 in Poland. It offers 15 three-year positions through a separate MSCA COFUND programme, with applications closing on 15 January 2027.
Who Is Eligible for the SynCell-nExUs Fellowship?
The programme accepts international applicants who satisfy its academic, employment and mobility requirements.
To qualify, you must:
- Hold a relevant PhD or have completed an unconditional successful doctoral defence before 31 December 2026.
- Have completed doctoral research in a field relevant to the SynCell-nExUs programme.
- Not be permanently employed by your proposed recruiting institution.
- Meet the MSCA mobility rule for the country of your intended host institution.
- Submit the required application documents in English before the deadline.
Applicants who have not yet received their PhD certificate may still qualify if they completed an unconditional successful doctoral defence before 31 December 2026. Their doctoral school must provide a letter confirming the successful defence and an estimated degree award date compatible with the fellowship start. A defence that remains subject to outstanding corrections or further academic requirements does not meet this condition.
Can the fellowship be completed remotely? No. Successful fellows are expected to live and conduct their research in the country of their employing institution. Approved secondments, conferences, training activities, holidays, and other authorised travel are permitted, but the programme does not support arrangements where a researcher remains primarily based in another country.
Can researchers from outside Europe apply?
Yes. The programme does not impose an EU-only nationality requirement.
However, applicants must satisfy the MSCA mobility rule: they must not have lived or carried out their main activity, such as employment or studies, in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before 31 December 2026.
For example, a researcher currently working in Germany may still be eligible for a fellowship in the Netherlands or France, even if they would not qualify for a German host under the mobility rule.
The restriction concerns the country of recruitment, not simply whether the applicant has previously worked in Europe.
Fellowship Salary, Funding and Benefits
SynCell-nExUs provides paid postdoctoral employment rather than a conventional student scholarship.
Selected researchers receive a 36-month employment contract, or an equivalent direct contract, with social security coverage under the applicable national employment arrangements.
The official Applicant Guide publishes institution-specific gross salary figures. Selected examples include:
| Host institution | Published gross remuneration |
|---|---|
| Institute of Science and Technology Austria | €5,250/month |
| Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Germany | €5,709.87/month |
| Heidelberg University, Germany | €4,759–€5,873/month |
| Delft University of Technology, Netherlands | €3,706–€5,760/month |
| University of Groningen, Netherlands | €4,422/month |
| University of Trieste, Italy | €3,810.20/month |
| University of Geneva, Switzerland | Approximately €7,380/month |
These are gross amounts, not take-home salaries. The final net salary depends on the employing institution, taxation, social security contributions and applicable employment regulations. Some figures are starting rates, while others depend on experience.
The programme also provides opportunities for professional training, mentoring, conferences, networking and research secondments. Fellows are strongly encouraged to undertake at least one exchange visit, typically lasting one to three months, at another participating laboratory.
Applicants should consult Table 8 of the official Applicant Guide for the remuneration and employment conditions of their intended host.
Researchers comparing European postdoctoral funding programmes may also consider the TIES2 Fellowship Finland 2027, another MSCA COFUND opportunity offering three-year research appointments. TIES2 has a different research structure and requires intersectoral collaboration, so applicants should compare the eligibility conditions and research expectations before choosing where to apply.
Required Documents for the Application
Applicants must prepare their documents using the official application package.
| Document | Important requirements |
|---|---|
| Academic CV | Maximum three pages, including up to one page for honours, awards and past achievements |
| Research pre-proposal | Maximum three pages for the main research proposal |
| Eligibility declaration | Completed and signed self-assessment form |
| Academic records | Bachelor’s, master’s and PhD certificates and official transcripts in English |
| Referee details | At least two referees, including the PhD supervisor |
| PhD defence confirmation | Required where the defence is complete but the degree has not yet been awarded |
The CV and research proposal templates specify Arial font, a minimum size of 11 points and margins of at least 2.5 cm.
Your academic CV should make your research experience, publications, technical skills, and contributions easy to assess. For additional guidance, see our guide to writing an academic CV for master’s, PhD, and postdoctoral applications. For SynCell-nExUs, however, follow the official three-page CV limit and the programme’s required structure.
The official pre-proposal template contains a scientific abstract of up to 500 words and a lay abstract of up to 300 words, followed by the main three-page research section. The research section must explain the project’s scientific objectives, proposed approach, interdisciplinary dimensions, suitability of the host institution, and relevance to SynCell-nExUs. Follow the template’s section breaks and formatting instructions carefully, as additional pages beyond the permitted limit will not be evaluated.
If you need help developing a focused research question, explaining the research gap, or outlining a feasible methodology, our research proposal writing guide with examples covers these fundamentals. Although the examples focus on PhD applications, the principles are also relevant to postdoctoral proposals. Use the SynCell-nExUs template for the actual submission.
The programme permits AI-assisted language editing and proofreading. If generative AI is used in preparing the proposal, applicants should disclose the tool, its purpose and the sections affected, as instructed in the Applicant Guide.
How to Apply for SynCell-nExUs Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027
Applications must be submitted online through the official programme portal. Email and postal applications are not accepted.
Step 1: Visit the official SynCell-nExUs application page and download the complete application package.
SynCell-nExUs Postdoctoral Fellowships 2027 Application Guidelines
Step 2: Review the four research areas and identify the one that best matches your research proposal.
Step 3: Explore participating supervisors and select up to three preferred hosts in order of preference.
List of SynCell-nExUs Supervisors (Call I)
Step 4: Complete the CV, eligibility declaration, pre-proposal and supporting academic documents.
Step 5: Select the Apply link corresponding to your chosen research area.
Apply Here for SynCell-nExUs Postdoctoral Positions 2027
Upload the CV in the résumé field, the proposal in the cover-letter field, academic records in the diplomas section, and the eligibility form under other documents.
Review the application and submit it before 31 December 2026 at 23:59 CET.
Only one application is permitted per call. Applicants can resubmit an updated application before the deadline, with the latest submitted version counting as the final application.
Important: Select one main research area and submit only one application for Open Call I. You may identify up to three preferred supervisors within your proposal, but this does not permit multiple applications through different research-area portals. You can revise and resubmit your application before the deadline; only the latest submitted version will count.
Selection Process and Evaluation Criteria
SynCell-nExUs uses a competitive, multi-stage evaluation process.
Applications first undergo an eligibility check. Eligible candidates are then assessed by independent scientific experts.
| Evaluation component | Maximum points |
|---|---|
| Academic excellence and research track record | 20 |
| Research pre-proposal | 15 |
| Career development potential and additional competencies | 5 |
| Full research proposal | 20 |
| Online interview | 40 |
| Total | 100 |
The evaluation gives substantial weight to the later stages. The initial assessment accounts for 40% of the final score, while the full proposal contributes 20% and the interview contributes another 40%. Shortlisted candidates therefore need to demonstrate that they can explain and defend their research independently, rather than relying entirely on their publication record or written proposal.
Applicants need at least 25 out of 40 points in the initial remote evaluation to remain eligible for shortlisting. Meeting this threshold does not guarantee an invitation.
The programme plans to invite 40 shortlisted applicants to prepare an extended research proposal of up to five pages and attend a 20-minute online interview.
The full proposal and interview together require a minimum of 35 out of 60 points for continued funding consideration.
Final offers depend on overall ranking, scientific compatibility with the host and available supervisory capacity.
Careers Help Desk Counter Angle: Your Host Choice Can Affect Eligibility and Placement
One important feature of SynCell-nExUs is that applicants compete through a programme-wide selection process, rather than applying for a guaranteed position with a particular supervisor.
You can nominate up to three supervisors, but your first preference is not guaranteed. Successful applicants receive placement opportunities according to their ranking and the availability of suitable hosts.
This creates two practical considerations.
First, check the mobility rule separately for every proposed host country. Being eligible for one institution does not automatically establish eligibility for another.
Second, make sure your proposal is feasible within the expertise and infrastructure of the laboratories you select. The programme allows applicants to contact supervisors to clarify research fit and available facilities, but prohibits supervisors from providing project suggestions or selection advice during recruitment.
A useful approach is to identify your proposed methods, required equipment and potential research collaborators before ranking your host preferences. This will help you explain why each proposed institution is suitable without relying on generic descriptions of its reputation.
If you decide to contact a potential host, keep your email focused on the laboratory’s expertise, facilities, and suitability for your proposed research. Our guide to emailing professors about research opportunities provides examples of concise, professional inquiries. Remember that SynCell-nExUs supervisors may clarify research fit and infrastructure, but cannot help develop your project idea or advise you on selection.
Ready to Apply for Postdoc Positions in Europe
The SynCell-nExUs Postdoctoral Fellowship offers international researchers three years of paid research employment in European synthetic biology laboratories. Before submitting, verify your PhD status, mobility eligibility, proposed research area and host compatibility. Give particular attention to the three-page proposal and the programme’s required templates. Application deadline: 31 December 2026, 23:59 CET.
Official Source: SynCell-nExUs Fellowships Call for Applications 2027
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is the SynCell-nExUs Postdoctoral Fellowship fully funded?
Yes. It provides a paid 36-month postdoctoral appointment with gross salary and social security coverage. Salary levels and additional employment benefits vary by host institution.
2. Can I apply without receiving my PhD certificate?
Yes, if you have successfully completed an unconditional doctoral defence before the application deadline and can provide the required confirmation from your doctoral school. A defence scheduled after the deadline does not satisfy this condition.
3. Do I need to contact a supervisor before applying?
Prior supervisor approval is not listed as a mandatory application requirement. You may contact potential supervisors to clarify infrastructure and thematic fit, but they cannot advise on project development or selection.
4. Is an IELTS or TOEFL score mandatory?
The Applicant Guide requires applications in English and assesses English proficiency, but it does not specify a universal mandatory IELTS or TOEFL score. Applicants should check the latest application instructions and any relevant host requirements.
5. When will successful applicants start their fellowships?
The Applicant Guide schedules fellowship starts between June and August 2027, with exact dates agreed with the employing institution. The programme’s public announcement states that successful candidates are expected to begin from August 2027.
6. Can unsuccessful applicants apply again?
Yes. Applicants who are not selected in the first call may apply in the second call, provided they still meet the eligibility conditions. The second call is scheduled to open on 31 July 2027 and close on 30 September 2027 at 23:59 CET.
Stay connected with Careers Help Desk for the latest international fellowships, scholarships, research opportunities and jobs abroad to empower your future!
0 Comments