Vilnius University (VU) invites motivated researchers with a strong track record to prepare joint applications for 2026 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA PF) call with a deadline on September 9, 2026. MSCA PFs are among Europe’s most prestigious research schemes, supporting researchers’ career development while strengthening their creative, innovative capacity and promoting excellence in research.
- European Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to researchers of any nationality who wish to engage in R&I projects by either coming to Europe from any country in the world or moving within Europe (12-24 months).
- Global Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to European nationals or long-term residents who wish to engage in R&I projects with organisations outside EU Member States and Horizon Europe Associated Countries (12-24 months outgoing phase in a non-associated Third Country & 12 months mandatory return phase to a host organisation in Europe).
- Boost your chances of success with ERA Fellowships! If you are applying for the European Postdoctoral Fellowship with a host institution in a widening country (such as Lithuania), and your proposal is not funded under the MSCA PF call due to budget limitations, it will automatically be resubmitted to the ERA Fellowships call, which will give your project an additional opportunity to receive support.
- Additional incentive available for researchers applying with host institutions in Lithuania! The Government of the Republic of Lithuania has transferred some European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) funds to the Horizon Europe programme, enabling the European Commission to finance more well-evaluated MSCA PF projects submitted with Lithuanian institutions.
HOST INSTITUTION AND RESEARCH GROUP
Founded in 1579, VU combines centuries of academic excellence with a strong contemporary research culture. As the largest university in Lithuania, it comprises 15 academic units and brings together more than 3,400 academic staff and over 26,000 students. Its active research community is supported by extensive infrastructure, including research institutes, 3 university hospitals, the oldest academic library in the Baltics, 3 botanical gardens, and an astronomical observatory, creating a fertile environment for scientific discovery and innovation.
VU consistently ranks as the top university in the country, excelling in both education and a broad range of fundamental and applied research. Recognised among Central and Eastern Europe’s leading research institutions, it fosters cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research and maintains strong partnerships within a global academic network.
The Department of Single Cell Analytics at the Institute of Biotechnology of VU Life Sciences Center operates at the intersection of molecular biology, microfluidics, and data analytics, focusing on impactful projects with clear societal benefits. It is currently advancing two directions: i) the development of novel single-cell multi-omics technologies and ii) the fundamental studies of the cancer biology and its microenvironment. As one of the few groups in Europe with deep, integrated expertise in single-cell -omics techniques, it can offer a unique environment for a motivated researchers eager to bridge the gap between experimental work and advanced -omics data interpretation.
The prospective MSCA candidate will join a supportive and collaborative environment that prioritizes both good science and personal growth. The fellow will have full access to cutting-edge infrastructure and bespoke mentorship, allowing to strengthen their expertise in computational biology, tech-dev or fundamental cancer research according to their career goals. By leveraging the host group’s extensive international network, a candidate can gain the professional support and connections necessary to establish themselves as a leader in single-cell biology field.
SUPERVISOR
Prof. Dr. Linas Mažutis is an internationally educated scientist with an extensive record in technology development and single-cell research. He earned his PhD at the University of Strasbourg under Andrew Griffiths (a pioneer in directed evolution) and completed a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard University in David Weitz’s lab. By combining droplet microfluidics with molecular barcoding, he co-developed the first high-throughput scRNA-Seq method, which became a cornerstone of modern biology.
Following his tenure as Head of the Single Cell Research Initiative at Sloan Kettering Institute, he returned to Vilnius University to continue his research in cancer biology. Most recently, his group reported a single-cell technology built on Semi-Permeable Capsules (SPCs). These capsules enable complex, multi-step chemical reactions on single-cells previously impossible with droplet platforms. For a post-doc fellow, the Mazutis lab offers a stimulating environment to innovate and uncover new biology.
PREFERRED EXPERIENCE AND PERSONAL SKILLS
We encourage highly motivated individuals with a passion for tackling challenging research projects to apply. While all candidates will be evaluated based on their unique achievements and potential, preference might be given to those with a strong background in bioinformatics and computational sciences and those having advanced technical expertise in biochemistry and molecular biology. A proven track record of research excellence, evidenced by a corresponding publication record, is highly desirable.
POSSIBLE RESEARCH TOPICS
The potential topics include:
- Tackling cancer plasticity in leukemia patients
- Single-cell multi-omics landscape of hematopoiesis
- A Single-Cell Methylomics Approach to Epigenetic Memory
ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS
- Supported fellows must be in possession of PhD at the call deadline (September 9, 2026).
- Have up to 8 years experience in research from the date of award of the doctoral degree at the call deadline.
- Fellows must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the beneficiary (for European Postdoctoral Fellowships), or the host organisation for the outgoing phase (for Global Postdoctoral Fellowships) for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the call deadline
Detailed information on the eligibility can be found on p. 81-83 of the MSCA Work Programme 2026-2027.
HOW TO APPLY?
- Contact the supervisor Prof. Linas Mažutis (linas.mazutis@bti.vu.lt) directly to express your interest in making a joint application based on your research interests. Do not forget to provide the following documents (cc to research@cr.vu.lt):
- curriculum vitae
- list of publications
- proposal summary
- Request a letter from your supervisor endorsing you as a candidate and send it to the Research Projects Office (research@cr.vu.lt).
- After receiving your supervisor’s endorsement, you can start preparing your MSCA PF project proposal. Please note that in order to prepare and submit your application on time (by September 9, 2026), you can seek support from VU Research Projects Office (research@cr.vu.lt).
For more information follow the link.
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