The LEAPS ULTRAFAST Network is funded by Horizon Europe’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. LEAPS ULTRAFAST presents an unparalleled opportunity for around 50 postdoctoral researchers to engage in groundbreaking research and advanced training across renowned international research facilities in the field of Ultrafast Science.
Fellows gain access to an exceptional ecosystem of over 20 large-scale facilities, including world-leading light sources. The programme enables groundbreaking research in key domains such as matter and materials, energy and environment, health and life sciences, and future technologies. Beyond experimental work, participants follow a comprehensive career development training program focused on transferable skills like communication, project management, and entrepreneurship. By uniting top photon science centers and fostering intersectoral mobility, the network aims to prepare fellows for diverse careers while addressing major societal and industrial challenges.
Learn more about the programme [here]
Learn more about the application process [here]
Please note: If you would like to apply asap please register your intent to apply via the following email ([email protected]), we will then contact you to submit your full application via the tool. The deadline is 30.09.2026 and the evaluation will only start then.
Applying
Before applying, please read the website carefully. You will find the application link at the bottom of the page soon.
Please note: If you would like to apply asap please register your intent to apply via the following email ([email protected]), we will then contact you to submit your full application via the tool. The deadline is 30.09.2026 and the evaluation will only start then.
Fellowships are awarded in three rounds of calls. The dates for the first call are:
- The call for applications will be opening on July 6th 2026
- The call for applications will be closing on Sept. 30th 2026
- Online interviews will take place on the week of December 9th, 2026
- Fellowship Start: Beginning of 2027
Candidate Profile
Applicants must have:
- PhD degree or successfully defended doctoral thesis by the programme call deadline.
- Publication record at the time of application showing at least one original accepted publication, in press, or published in a peer-reviewed journal. If the applicant is not the first author of that publication, a confirmation by the first author or supervisor is required to confirm that the applicant’s contribution to the scientific c
- Compliance with the MSCA mobility rule: Researchers 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.
- For International European Research Organisations (IEROs) and other international organisations — such as CERN, EMBL, ESRF, or ILL — the mobility rule instead applies to the organisation itself: applicants must not have spent more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline at that same organisation. In practice: time spent at an IERO and other international organisations only affects your eligibility if it exceeds 12 months within the 36-month reference period, and this applies regardless of which LEAPS Ultrafast partner institution you apply to.
- Recruited researchers may be of any nationality. LEAPS ULTRAFAST integrates gender and diversity considerations into all selection and encourages researchers returning after career breaks to apply.
LEAPS ULTRAFAST encourages researchers returning after career breaks (e.g., parental or care leave) to apply. While PhDs should ideally have been awarded within the past five years to support early-career researchers and in order to acknowledge that postdoctoral positions should be transient in the career of a researcher, candidates with documented career breaks will also be considered. LEAPS ULTRAFAST integrates gender and diversity considerations into all selection.
Selection Process
Fellows will be selected through a transparent, impartial, and equitable recruitment process. Each application will be handled by our online application system. In the course of the online application, a project proposal an CV will need to be uploaded. The selection will focus on both the applicant’s scientific excellence and their potential to become a successful and independent researcher in academia or industry.
The LEAPS ULTRAFAST programme fully integrates gender and diversity considerations into all selection and recruitment processes.
Application
For fellowship applications, applicants need to select a preferred research area. We strongly advise applicants to contact the hosts of the respective research areas and discuss the technical feasibility.
Working Conditions and Salaries
- Please find here further information on the working conditions and salaries at DESY.
- Please find here further information on the working conditions and salaries at XFEL.
- Please see here for further information on the working conditions and salaries at HFML-FELIX.
- Please see here for more information on the working conditions and salaries at HZDR.
- Please see here for further information on the working conditions and salaries at PSI.
- Please see here for further information on the working conditions and salaries at SOLEIL.
- Please see here for further information on the working conditions and salaries at CMAM.
To apply for this job please visit www.leaps-ultrafast.eu.
