Elevate Your Research with a World-Class Fellowship
The Polymer Synthesis and Biomaterials Group at Charles University, led by Dr. Ondřej Sedláček, invites ambitious early-career researchers to co-develop a proposal for the 2026 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship and the Programme CHARLESTON (MSCA COFUND). We are looking for talented scientists ready to push the boundaries of polymer chemistry and biomaterials in a dynamic, international environment.
Our lab bridges the gap between precision organic synthesis and advanced macromolecular engineering. We don’t just host you; we partner with you. We provide intensive mentorship and administrative support to turn your vision into a winning grant.
Research Opportunities: From Self-Assembly to Upcycling
We encourage you to bring your own research ideas, but we are particularly interested in candidates who wish to leverage our lab’s core strengths:
- Precision Nanomaterials via PISA: Utilizing Polymerization-Induced Self-Assembly (PISA) to create functional nanostructures for drug delivery, catalysis, and responsive surfaces.
- Sustainable Chemistry & Polymer Upcycling: Addressing the plastic crisis through the upcycling of commodity polymers using emerging C-H activation via Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT). This allows us to transform inert plastics into high-value functional materials.
- Novel Bio/Nanomaterials based on Poly(2-oxazolines) and Poly(2-oxazine)s: We focus on the synthesis and application of these „pseudo-peptidic“ polymers as superior alternatives to PEG. Your project could explore new synthetic pathways, high-definition architectures, or their use in advanced nanomedicine and stimuli-responsive systems.
One Proposal = Four Chances to Get Funded!
The MSCA competition is fierce, but by choosing our lab in Prague, you maximize your success. By preparing one high-quality proposal, you are automatically positioned for four distinct funding streams:
- MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship: The prestigious primary EU grant for top-tier researchers.
- ERA Fellowships: Additional EU funding for high-quality proposals hosted in „Widening Countries“ like the Czech Republic.
- Programme CHARLESTON: A prestigious MSCA COFUND scheme at Charles University. It offers 2-year fellowships with excellent conditions, focusing on the „3i“ principle (International, Interdisciplinary, and Intersectoral mobility).
- MSCA-CZ (OP JAK): A robust Czech national „safety net“ that funds projects scoring 70% or higher in the MSCA evaluation. The budget and salary are virtually identical to the original MSCA grant.
Financial Contributions: Competitive Funding for Your Career
The MSCA-PF and Charleston grants use a UNIT-COST model based on the months of implementation (12–24 months). It fully covers your salary, social security, and research costs.
Net Salary Example: For a researcher with a mobility allowance, the gross salary is ~€6,347/month, resulting in a net salary of approximately €3,545. If the family allowance applies, the net increases to ~€3,865.
Institutional Support for Your Research:
- Research, Training, and Networking (€1,000/month): Covers your lab supplies, conference fees, publication costs, and research stays.
- Management & Indirect Costs (€650/month): Covers the host institution’s administrative and support services.
Eligibility & Candidate Profile
To be eligible for the 2026 call, you must meet these mandatory criteria by September 9, 2026:
- PhD Degree: You must have successfully defended your Ph.D. thesis.
- Experience Limit: You must have been awarded your Ph.D. less than 8 years ago.
- Mobility Rule: You must not have resided or worked in the Czech Republic for more than 12 months between Sept 2023 and Sept 2026.
The following are highly welcomed:
- A strong track record of first-author or independent publications.
- International experience (Ph.D. or research stays abroad).
- A Ph.D. from a prestigious university.
- Experience in international or non-academic sector collaborations.
How to Apply & Deadlines
Before applying, we recommend you read our group’s latest papers to ensure alignment with our ongoing projects and mentor expertise.
Possible Start Date: Selected candidates typically start between January 2027 and August 2027
Internal Expression of Interest Deadline: May 30, 2025
(This allows us 3+ months to co-write the full proposal before the Sept 2025 submission for the 2026 cycle).
To apply, please send the following to sedlacek@natur.cuni.cz
- Scientific CV (including a full list of publications).
- Motivation Letter (max 1 page).
- Project Abstract (max 1 page, summarizing your proposed project concept).
Selected candidates will receive intensive feedback and 1-on-1 mentorship from Prof. Sedláček and the University’s European Project Office to prepare the final submission.