About the Institute

National Institute of Chemistry (NIC), a leading research institution in Slovenia in the field of chemistry and related sciences, is always open to welcoming motivated candidates for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions Postdoctoral Fellowship Scheme applications (MSCA PF) in the fields of health, environmental protection, circular economy, sustainable energy, low carbon technology, climate change and analytics. 

We welcome applications of highly motivated experienced researchers with a doctoral degree of any nationality. Postdoctoral fellowships last from one to two years. There are currently no open research positions, however you are welcome to contact researchers directly and pitch your research idea for the fellowship to apply with National Institute of Chemistry as your Host Institution. 

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (Call ID: HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01) 

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? 

There are main requirements of eligibility: 

1. Be a Postdoctoral Researcher: Be in possession of a doctoral degree, defined as a successfully defended doctoral thesis, even if the doctoral degree has yet to be awarded. 

2. Have a maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent research experience: Measured from the date that the researcher was in a possession of a doctoral degree and certified by appropriate documents. Periods of inactivity in research do not count towards the time of research experience (e.g. unemployment, employment outside research, long-term sick leave, maternity/parental leave etc). 

3. Researcher can be of any nationality but must not have lived or worked in Slovenia for more than 12 months during the three years up to the closing date of the call (mobility rule). 

4. The applicants must choose the National Institute of Chemistry, Slovenia as their Host Institution. European Fellowships: the researcher must move or have moved to the Slovenia where the NIC is located. 

5. All areas of research. 

 
Only one proposal per individual researcher can be submitted. 

Applicants should possess a strong publication record (e.g. at least 2 or 3 publications as first author in first quartile internationally recognised journals). Your CV should provide evidence of independence and you will be expected to co-create the proposal idea with your host supervisor. Interdisciplinary and Intersectoral approaches are strongly encouraged. 

HOW TO APPLY? 

In order to apply the applicants must:  

• establish contact with a researcher at NIC (potential supervisor) and  

• receive a confirmation that they will support the application.

• Get in contact with the Project Management Office (PMO) at NIC (projektna.pisarna(at)ki.si), which will guide you through the application process.  

We strongly encourage you to begin your preparations as soon as possible to take full advantage of the guidance available. The deadline for announcing your intent for submitting a proposal and receive support from the PMO is June 1^st, 2026.  
Knowledge of Slovenian is not required. Strong knowledge of English language is necessary. 
If you will be successful in the application, you will be offered a full-time research position for the duration of the grant (between 12 and 24 months).  In case of fruitful collaboration, there are possible further employment opportunities at NIC, after the end of your MSCA PF grant. 

SUPPORT FOR APPLICANTS 

1. Eligibility checks. We can assist you with verifying your eligibility. 
2. Draft proposal writing (June-August). Applicants register themselves and their proposal in the online Participant Portal using the validated PIC of NIC. Applicants write their proposal with input and support from their supervisor and the PMO team. 
3. Feedback on the draft proposal (June-August). The NIC PMO team has in depth experience with MSCA PF proposals and will give feedback on all sections of the proposal. You will receive NIC’s MSCA PF Internal Guidelines upon confirmation by the supervisor. 
4. Feedback on part A. The NIC PMO team will verify whether the information in part A is complete.  
5. Deadline for Applicants at NIC (7 September 2026). Final MSCA PF deadline (9 September 2026). 
 
Please address any inquiries to the email address: projektna.pisarna(at)ki.si 

The National Institute of Chemistry is an equal opportunities employer with an excellent international reputation and a diverse team from many countries.