MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated early-career researcher to apply with us for the upcoming MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship, the top scheme of this kind for early-career researchers from the European Commission. We are looking for someone passionate about understanding the rules that guide rapid adaptation in microbes, in particular how the interplay between epistasis and mutation biases shapes adaptive predictability (see Couce 2024 Science; Melero-Jiménez 2025 Nat Commun; Barber & Couce 2026 Nat Commun). The ideal candidate has demonstrated experience in experimental evolution, molecular biology, or bioinformatics, and is able to work with a high degree of independence. The candidate is expected to contribute ideas to shape the project to be submitted. We will prioritize projects focusing on the evolution of microbial consortia, either in the context of the human microbiota adapting to antibiotics, or plant-associated and pathogenic bacteria. The call deadline is 9 September 2026. This highly regarded fellowship provides generous funding for a 2-year period. Feedback from the call is expected in early 2027, and, if successful, the estimated starting date would be between April–May 2027 (extendable up to September 2027).
Eligibility (MUST READ; strict criteria, candidates not fitting the eligibility criteria will not be considered):
- Candidates must hold a doctoral degree and have a maximum of 8 years of postdoctoral experience.
- The call is extremely competitive, candidates should have ≥3 first-author research articles in prominent journals (specialist or multidisciplinary; reviews and opinion pieces do not count).
- International mobility is required. At the call deadline (9 September 2026), candidates must not have resided or worked in Spain for more than 12 of the previous 36 months.
To apply, please send a single PDF to acouce@cnb.csic.es including:
- A complete CV (with contact information)
- A 1-page motivation letter outlining your 3–5 most relevant research contributions
- A brief 1-page proposal of your future research project
Please include “MSCA-IF.MicrobialEvolution” in the subject line. The call is highly competitive; only candidates truly meeting ALL requirements will be considered.

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