Hosting Offer for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship

Are you a talented postdoctoral researcher eager to push the frontiers of nanomaterials science using state-of-the-art computational simulations?
The nanoQlab at the University of Milano-Bicocca offers a dynamic, interdisciplinary, and internationally connected environment where you can develop your own research project under the mentorship of Prof. Cristiana Di Valentin (ERC Grantee).
This is your chance to prepare a competitive Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal and take your career to the next level, working at the intersection of medicine, energy, catalysis, or sensing.

Organisation Description

The Department of Materials Science at the University of Milano-Bicocca is a leading Italian center for advanced research and education in materials science and nanotechnology.
Our activities range from fundamental studies to applied research in collaboration with international partners and industry.
The Department offers access to state-of-the-art computational and experimental facilities, including high-performance computing clusters, spectroscopy and microscopy laboratories, and advanced synthesis facilities.

https://www.mater.unimib.it/

Host Laboratory – nanoQlab

The selected MSCA-PF fellow will join the team of nanoQlab directed by Prof. Cristiana Di Valentin:

https://www.nanoQlab.mater.unimib.it

The lab focuses on quantum-mechanical modeling and multiscale molecular dynamics simulations of nanostructured materials and biological systems, with applications in:

• Nanomedicine – interactions of nanomaterials with biological systems and targeted drug-delivery processes;
• Catalysis – modeling of nanocatalysts for green and sustainable chemistry;
• Energy – materials for energy conversion and storage (photocatalysis, photovoltaics, electrocatalysis);
• Sensing – nanomaterials for chemical and biosensing applications.

Prof. Cristiana Di Valentin is Full Professor of Chemistry at the University of Milano-Bicocca and head of the nanoQlab.
She has extensive experience in computational chemistry, biochemistry and materials science and has coordinated several national and international research projects.
She was awarded a prestigious European Research Council (ERC) Grant, and her scientific activity has led to more than 230 peer-reviewed publications.
Her group maintains strong international collaborations and an interdisciplinary approach combining theory, simulation, and experiment.

The fellow will work closely with Prof. Di Valentin and the nanoQlab team to develop an original MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal, benefitting from scientific mentoring, research infrastructure, and administrative support.

Candidate Profile

• PhD (or equivalent) in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, Biotechnology, Engineering or related disciplines;
• Proven experience in computational modeling (e.g. DFT or molecular dynamics or machine learning);
• Interest in applying simulations to nanomaterials for medicine, catalysis, energy, or sensing;
• Excellent communication and proposal-writing skills in English;
• Motivation to develop an independent MSCA-PF research project in collaboration with nanoQlab.

What We Offer

• Scientific supervision by Prof. Cristiana Di Valentin (ERC Grantee);
• Access to high-performance computing facilities and research infrastructure at the Department of Materials Science and CINECA Supercomputing Center;
• Full guidance in preparing and submitting the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship proposal;
• International and interdisciplinary research environment in the heart of Milan.

Application Procedure

Interested candidates should send the following to Prof. Cristiana Di Valentin (cristiana.divalentin@unimib.it):

• Curriculum Vitae (max 2 pages);
• Short statement of research interests and MSCA-PF project idea (1 page).

Host Institution

nanoQlab – Department of Materials Science
University of Milano-Bicocca
Via Roberto Cozzi 55, 20125 Milano, Italy
https://www.mater.unimib.it/

About the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF)

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) are prestigious European fellowships funded by the European Commission’s Horizon Europe Programme.
They support experienced researchers (holding a PhD) who wish to carry out their own research project in collaboration with a host institution in Europe or beyond.

1️⃣ European Fellowships

These are the most common type of MSCA-PF.

• The research project is carried out in a European host institution (like the University of Milano-Bicocca).
• Open to researchers of any nationality.
• Duration: typically 12–24 months.
• The mobility rule applies: candidates must not have lived or worked in Italy for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the call deadline.
• Aim: enhance the researcher’s career through international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral mobility.

2️⃣ Global Fellowships

These fellowships allow researchers to carry out their project outside Europe, followed by a mandatory return phase in a European host institution (such as Milano-Bicocca).

• Open to EU or Horizon Europe Associated Country nationals.
• Duration: typically 24 months outside Europe + 12 months in Europe.
• Ideal for researchers aiming to build global collaborations while maintaining a strong European link.
• The return phase ensures reintegration into the European Research Area.

Funding and Evaluation

• Funding: covers researcher’s salary, mobility and family allowances, and a contribution to research, training and networking costs.
• Evaluation criteria:
  • Excellence of the candidate and project;
  • Impact on the researcher’s career development;
  • Quality and efficiency of the implementation.

Next Call (expected timeline)

• Call opening: April 2026 (tentative)
• Submission deadline: September 2026 (to be confirmed)
• Results announced: February 2027
• Projects starting: from mid-2027

Official information and application templates are available on:
https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu