Join SynCell-nExUs and collaborate with leading researchers across Europe to tackle the big challenges in Synthetic Cells research.

Job 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 SynCell-nExUs website (see link under "Application Procedure").

Job requirements

• 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. Further, 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.

About the Programme

This five-year programme offers 40 fully funded three-year postdoctoral positions across a network of 50+ labs in 22 leading research institutions across Europe. Co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe and MSCA COFUND, it is designed to develop the next generation of leaders in bottom-up synthetic biology and related fields.

Fellows benefit from an outstanding training programme that combines cutting-edge research with professional development, including scientific communication, research diversity, transferable skills, and a dedicated personal development retreat. International and intersectoral collaboration is a core feature of the programme, supported by associated partners from the SynBioEU network and industry. Learn more: https://www.syntheticcell.eu/syncellnexus.

The SynCell-nExUs programme is coordinated by the Max Planck Society and brings together a network of participating institutions across Europe. Postdoctoral researchers recruited through the programme will be hosted by one of the participating institutions, where they will carry out their research under the supervision of researchers and group leaders at the respective host institution. TU Delft is one of the participating institutions in the SynCell-nExUs programme and co-coordinates the recruitment process. Depending on the selected research project and supervisor, successful candidates may therefore be appointed at TU Delft or at another participating institution elsewhere in Europe. Candidates apply to the SynCell-nExUs programme and its research opportunities rather than exclusively to a specific host institution. The final host institution and supervisor will be determined based on the selected research project and the outcome of the recruitment process.

Conditions of employment (depending on national regulations of host country)

• Duration of contract is 3 years. Temporary.
• A job of 32-40 hours per week.
• 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 SynCell-nExUS programme webpage: https://syntheticcell.eu/syncellnexus/

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Finn Mccartney, via syncellnexus@tudelft.nl.

This is an EU co-funded project, named SynCell-nExUs, with project number 101261790, within program HORIZON EUROPE/ Marie Sklodowska Curie Actions COFUND.

Application procedure
Applicants should consult the applicants guide and downloadable forms on the SynCell-nExUs website here: How to apply. For this call (call one of two) 20 36-months postdoc positions are available. Applications must be submitted by 31 December 2026 through the application portals that are linked on the SynCell-nExUs webpage. Applications sent by email or post will not be processed. Applications should comply with the instructions set out in the ‘guide for applicants’ document. Each applicant can submit only one application, in one of the four available research areas. In the application form, you will indicate your chosen area and sub-field and indicate up to three potential supervisors (hosting labs listed on the website).

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• As part of knowledge security, TU Delft conducts a risk assessment during the recruitment of personnel who will be appointed at TU Delft and employed under a TU Delft contract. We do this, among other things, to prevent the unwanted transfer of sensitive knowledge and technology. The assessment is based on information provided by the candidates themselves, such as their motivation letter and CV, and takes place at the final stages of the selection process. When the outcome of the assessment is negative, the candidate will be informed. The processing of personal data in the context of the risk assessment is carried out on the legal basis of the GDPR: performing a public task in the public interest. You can find more information about TU Delft’s assessment on our webpage on knowledge security. Candidates who are appointed at another participating institution within the SynCell-nExUs programme will be subject to the applicable procedures of that institution.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.