Supporting Independence
To support young talents on their transition from postdocs to independent researchers, MCQST is offering Junior Researcher START Fellowships. With a total budget of 300.000 € for a funding period of two years, the fellows have the opportunity to start their own scientific project in one of the Research Units of MCQST.
The funds are flexible and may be spent in accordance with DFG rules for instrumentations, staff, consumables, travels as well as for the fellows' own salaries. Laboratory and office space will be provided by one of the MCQST Principal Investigators (PIs).
How to Apply
Eligible candidates are at the beginning of their academic career and have completed their doctoral degree in physics, mathematics, computer science, chemistry, or engineering within the last four years. Research experience in quantum science and technology is of advantage and should be documented by publications in high level academic journals.
Applications should include:
- Curriculum vitae (two pages max, without photo)
- Research outline (two pages max, including a financial plan)
- Complete list of publications and talks (please highlight 3 publications that best represent your research)
- Doctoral certificate
- Support letter from MCQST host committing to offer laboratory and office space
- Two letters of recommendation, at least one from an external expert (outside MCQST)
Send all application documents to support[at]mcqst.de
Applications are open. Please submit your application by 19 January 2025.
For those who are invited, we are planning interview days on 11 March 2025.
Please note that we cannot accept applications without a support declaration by a MCQST PI. If you are not already in contact with one of our PIs, please have a look at our members page. It is important that an MCQST PI supports your application as they will provide not only funding and academic guidance but also structural support like an office space. We are aware that this adds an extra hurdle for external applicants but this approach has proven very fruitful for a successful outcome of the fellowship in the past.
Selection Process
The MCQST Executive Committee together with an international Advisory Board will select the Junior Researcher START Fellows. In a two-stage selection process, candidates who successfully passed the first stage were invited for an interview on 11 March 2025. Selection criteria are scientific excellence and an original research proposal. The start date of the fellowship will be fixed in agreement with the MCQST office, but should begin no later than 1 January 2026.
MCQST is an equal opportunity employer and it is important to us to make our selection processes as fair and transparent as possible. Furthermore, we would like to explicitly encourage researchers with a background that is underrepresented in the QST community to apply. We are committed to creating and sustaining a welcoming work environment for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, social class, or age.
Meet our START Fellows
START Fellows
Farsane Tabataba-Vakili
Now: Prof. at Technische Universität Braunschweig
START Fellow 2024
Distinguished Postdoc 2021
Viviana Villafañe
START Fellow 2023
Distinguished Postdoc 2020
Postdoc Representative
Björn Sbierski
Now: Postdoc at Eberhard Karls Universität Tübingen
START Fellow 2021
Cambyse Rouzé
Now: Inria Starting Faculty Researcher at Inria (ISFP)
START Fellow 2020
Approximately 50% of MCQST START Fellows have transitioned to professorships or permanent positions in academia or industry. Positions held by MCQST alumni are indicated in italics.