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Call for Expressions of Interest – ATRAE Scientist Position (permanent) with IFAE

The Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) invites expressions of interest from outstanding researchers to join its Gravitational Waves Group, working on the Virgo, LIGO, and Einstein Telescope collaborations, in the framework of the 2026 ATRAE Program (https://www.aei.gob.es/en/atrae) of the Spanish Funding Agency.

Research Environment

IFAE performs research in particle physics, astroparticle physics and cosmology, and develops technologies for the benefit of the whole society. IFAE’s mission is to address fundamental physics questions by acting as a major partner and a leader in the scientific collaborations at the forefront of our field, while preparing for future technological breakthroughs. IFAE has been distinguished three times with the Severo Ochoa Excellence award from the Spanish Funding Agency.

The IFAE Gravitational Waves Group plays an active role in Virgo and LIGO experiments in several areas including detector characterization, physics data analysis, and R&D for next-generation observatories, with a particular emphasis on the Einstein Telescope.

Successful candidates will benefit from:

  • A vibrant, collaborative research environment.
  • Strong institutional support for independent research lines.
  • Access to international collaborations and infrastructure.
  • Mentorship and strategic support for ATRAE applications.

Profile Sought

We welcome expressions of interest from researchers with a strong track record and leadership potential in areas including (but not limited to):

  • Gravitational-wave detector operations and data analysis.
  • Detector characterization and noise mitigation.
  • Instrumentation and R&D for next-generation detectors.

Candidates should be eligible to apply to the ATRAE Program and be interested in establishing or consolidating an independent research line at IFAE.

ATRAE Program

The ATRAE Program, funded by the Spanish Funding Agency, defines about 1M€ individual grants and aims to attract and retain research talent by supporting the long-term incorporation of established researchers into Spanish research institutions.

The next call is expected by April 2026.

For reference the 2025 ATRAE call can be consulted at https://www.aei.gob.es/en/node/5072.

How to Express Interest

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact us informally to discuss mutual interests and institutional support for an ATRAE application.

Please include:

  • A brief CV.
  • A short summary of research interests and future plans.
  • Indication of alignment with the IFAE gravitational-wave program.

Contact

For expressions of interest and informal inquiries, please contact:

Mario Martinez – IFAE GW Group Team Leader and IFAE Deputy Director
mmp(at)ifae.es

Eugenio Coccia – IFAE Director
eugenio.coccia(at)ifae.es

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PhD Position at University of Auckland in New Zealand

The University of Auckland in New Zealand is seeking a highly motivated and skilled student with a strong background in physics, mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related discipline to take on a three-year PhD project that will help us prepare for the next galactic supernova using deep learning.

Core-collapse supernovae are among the most energetic events in the Universe and are expected to produce rich gravitational-wave (GW) signals that encode information about extreme matter, rotation, and explosion mechanisms. Unlike compact binary mergers, these signals are poorly modelled and difficult to detect using traditional matched-filtering techniques. This PhD project aims to develop and apply modern deep learning methods to detect and characterise supernova GW signals in data from ground-based detectors such as LIGO, Virgo, and KAGRA.

The successful candidate will design probabilistic deep learning models to learn physically meaningful signal representations and to perform Bayesian inference in the presence of realistic detector noise and transient glitches. The project will explore how learned latent spaces can be used for detection, parameter estimation, and model comparison, and how these approaches complement existing burst and excess-power searches used by the LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA Collaboration.

This research sits at the intersection of astrophysics, statistics, and artificial intelligence, and will involve close interaction with international GW data-analysis efforts. The student will gain experience in deep learning, Bayesian inference, high-performance computing, and gravitational-wave astronomy, with opportunities to contribute to cutting-edge searches for the first gravitational-wave detection of a core-collapse supernova.

Applicants should have a strong background in physics, mathematics, statistics, computer science, or a related discipline, with an interest in machine learning and astrophysical data analysis. Programming experience (e.g. Python, PyTorch/JAX) is desirable.

The PhD scholarship is available from March 2026 and provides an annual (tax-free) stipend of $35,000 NZD plus tuition fees for three years.

To apply for this scholarship, please send your CV, academic transcript, and a description of yourself to Dr Matt Edwards (matt.edwards(at)auckland.ac.nz).

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Deputy System Engineer – Scientific Instrumentation for Space Missions at AEI Hannover

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute) is a world-leading center specializing in gravitational physics, gravitational-wave research, and precision laser interferometry. The institute has more than 400 employees across its Potsdam and Hannover locations. For our Hannover site, we are seeking a:

Deputy System Engineer – Scientific Instrumentation for Space Missions at AEI Hannover

The position is embedded in the “Laser Interferometry in Space” group, which has contributed significantly to missions such as LISA Pathfinder and GRACE-FO and is currently playing a leading role in ESA’s LISA mission. You will join a multidisciplinary and international team working at the forefront of spaceborne gravitational-wave detection.

Your Duties and Responsibilities

  • Support the LISA System Engineer in system engineering activities and progressively assume deputy responsibilities.
  • Coordinate system-level decisions and participate in internal and external technical meetings.
  • Contribute to system design, verification tasks, and technical documentation preparation.
  • Maintain accurate configuration control and documentation.
  • Plan and support Assembly, Integration and Test (AIT) activities.
  • Prepare requirements and procedures for safe hardware handling, shipment, and verification.
  • Operate and verify Ground Support Equipment and test facilities during subsystem and system testing.
  • Participate in verification campaigns at AEI and partner sites.
  • Support Product Assurance (PA) activities, including non-conformance tracking and inspections.
  • Contribute to design reviews, test readiness reviews, and acceptance reviews.
  • Support procurement processes and prepare technical specifications.
  • Collaborate closely with industrial partners, space agencies, and internal project teams.

Your Profile

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in engineering, physics, or a related field.
  • Experience in system engineering, testing, verification, or product assurance.
  • Familiarity with ECSS workflows, test automation, or electronics verification.
  • Hands-on experience with laboratory or test equipment is an advantage.
  • Strong communication skills in English (level C1 minimum); German is an asset but not required.
  • Organisational talent and the ability to manage multiple parallel tasks.
  • Structured and careful working style with strong documentation practices.

We Offer

  • An international, collaborative research environment.
  • Work at the forefront of spaceborne gravitational-wave detection.
  • Regular interaction with ESA, DLR, laboratories, and industrial partners.
  • Access to state-of-the-art laboratories and infrastructure.
  • Competitive salary according to the German TVöD Bund guidelines.
  • Initial 2-year contract with the possibility of extension.

How to Apply
Are you interested? Then we look forward to receiving your online application (cover letter, CV, university certificates, letter of recommendation and other supporting documents) without a photo. Please upload your complete application documents combined into a single PDF on our applicant portal:
https://jobs.aei.mpg.de/245/deputy-system-engineer-scientific-instrumentation-for-space-missions/apply

Questions can be directed to the LISA Program Office (lisa-program-office(at)aei.mpg.de).

The applications received will be considered from January 15th, 2026. The advertisement is valid until the position is filled.

Further information
The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. The Max-Planck-Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. For more information about our institute, please visit https://www.aei.mpg.de/.

Pease find here details.

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Test Engineer at AEI Hannover

The Max Planck Institute for Gravitational Physics (Albert Einstein Institute, AEI) is a world-leading research center specializing in gravitational physics, gravitational-wave detection, and precision laser interferometry. With more than 400 employees across its Hannover and Potsdam locations, AEI plays a key role in several major international space missions. For our Hannover location, we are seeking a motivated:

Test Engineer

to support the verification of the LISA Signal Detection Processing Chain, the LISA Phasemeter and the Ground Support Equipment (GSE) used for testing. The LISA mission is a flagship ESA/NASA project designed to detect gravitational waves from space, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to one of the world’s most ambitious scientific endeavors.

Your Duties and Responsibilities
Execute functional and performance tests of the equipment under test according to ECSS standards.

  • Set up, operate, and validate test benches, measurement equipment, and GSE.
  • Maintain, calibrate, and verify AEI’s GSE and testing infrastructure.
  • Analyze test results, document findings, and support troubleshooting.
  • Prepare test procedures, verification documents, and test reports.
  • Collaborate with system engineering, electronics, software teams, and external partners.
  • Support integration and verification campaigns at AEI and partner facilities.
  • Ensure compliance with quality and product assurance procedures.

Your Profile

  • Master’s degree or equivalent in electrical engineering, physics, systems engineering, or a related technical field.
  • Excellent English skills (C1 level minimum); German is an asset but not required.
  • Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and measurement systems.
  • Structured, detail-oriented working style and strong analytical skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a technical team.
  • Experience with data analysis tools (e.g., Python, MATLAB) is an advantage.
  • Familiarity with precision measurement systems or ECSS standards is beneficial but not required.
  • Motivation to contribute to a major international space mission.

We Offer

  • The opportunity to work on a globally leading space science project.
  • A dynamic, international research environment with highly skilled teams.
  • Hands-on experience with cutting-edge instrumentation and test facilities.
  • Professional development opportunities and room to grow into broader responsibilities.
  • Flexible and supportive working conditions within the Max Planck Society.

How to Apply
Are you interested? Then we look forward to receiving your online application (cover letter, CV, university certificates, letter of recommendation and other supporting documents) without a photo. Please upload your complete application documents combined into a single PDF on our applicant portal:https://jobs.aei.mpg.de/244/test-engineer/apply

Questions can be directed to the LISA Program Office (lisa-program-office(at)aei.mpg.de). 

The applications received will be considered from January 15th, 2026. The advertisement is valid until the position is filled.

Further information
The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or disability. The Max-Planck-Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. For more information about our institute, please visit https://www.aei.mpg.de/.

Please find here details.

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Postdoc position GW Instrumentation at the University of Antwerp

The Department of Physics in the Faculty of Science is looking for a full-time (100%) postdoctoral scholarship holder in the field of Physics or a related field.

The Particle Physics research group carries out research in particle physics (CMS experiment at CERN LHC) and gravitational waves. Members of the group are involved with Virgo instrumentation, LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA data analysis, and Instrumentation Science with the Einstein Telescope. The University of Antwerp is a founding partner of the ETPathfinder project, and members of the group take part in the instrumentation developments related to this facility in Maastricht. The University of Antwerp is also one of the initial founding research units of the Einstein Telescope Collaboration.

Are you interested in technology and techniques which allow us to observe black holes colliding a million light years out in the cosmos? We are looking for a postdoc to work on the cross section of research, education and collaboration with industry and join the ETpathfinder Smart Skills Lab project. Application deadline is 26 February 2026.

ETpathfinder is a field laboratory for research, development and validation of new technologies for the Einstein Telescope. Based on a full interferometer configuration ETpathfinder aims to perform length measurements at the level of a thousandths of a proton diameter, which requires going beyond the state of art in a variety of fields including optics, sensors, lasers, materials, cryogenic cooling, vibration damping, vacuum and controls.

The ETpathfinder Smart Skills lab is a new initiative with the aim of providing training to companies and industry partners in ETpathfinder related technologies and skills. These skills trainings will be offered in particular to small and medium enterprises (SME) in Flanders and the south of the Netherlands (Limburg and Noord Brabant). The ETpathfinder Smart Skills lab is an initiative of 17 academic and educational partners from the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

Position

  • You would join a cohort of 11 ETpathfinder Technology Experts who will initially work for 12 months with the ETpathfinder team to get trained in the ETpathfinder facility at Maastricht. Afterwards you will develop training modules and deliver them (online & practical) to SMEs.
  • You will work in close collaboration with the ETpathfinder team (consisting of more than 20 research institutes and universities from 7 countries) and the ETpathfinder Smart Skills Lab team.
  • The location of this full-time job is in the Department of Physics, University of Antwerp, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerp, Belgium. You will be expected to spend a significant fraction of your time at the ETpathfinder facility in Maastricht (Maastricht University, Duboisdomein 30, Maastricht, the Netherlands).
  • Your research focus will be on seismic isolation & control, which is also the primary commitment of the University of Antwerp towards the ETpathfinder project. This involves contributions to the construction, installation, and commissioning of position sensors, actuators, mirror tower suspensions, and local control loops. During the second phase of the project you will use your obtained experience in this field to develop training modules (tutorials, etc.) and transfer your knowledge to local industry (SMEs).

Profile

  • You hold a PhD in Physics or a related field from a non-Belgian institution (or you will have obtained it by the time you start work).
  • You are proficient in English language and have good communication skills (essential)
  • You can work independently (essential)
  • You are flexible in collaboration with others (essential)
  • Experience in research relevant for gravitational wave instrumentation (desirable)
  • Experience in education and outreach (desirable)
  • Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
  • Your teaching competences are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
  • You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

What we offer

  • We offer a full-time appointment as a postdoctoral scholarship holder for a period of 2-years (1+1 renewable);
  • The planned start date is 1 April 2026 or as soon as possible after that date.
  • Your monthly scholarship amount is calculated according to the scholarship amounts for postdoctoral scholarship holders on the pay scales for Contract Research Staff (Dutch: Bijzonder Academisch Personeel, BAP).
  • You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
  • You will do most of your work at the university campus Groenenborger, and at the ETpathfinder facility in Maastricht, Duboisdomein 30 (NL) in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
  • Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here.

Want to apply?

  • You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 26 February 2026 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on the ‘Apply’ button and complete the online application form. Be sure to include the following attachments:
  • a motivation letter (with description of past research)
  • your academic CV
  • three letters of reference
  • The selection committee reviews all applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision is made, we will notify you. If you are still eligible after the pre-selection, you will be informed about the possible next step(s) in the selection procedure.
  • If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs(at)uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact dr. Hans Van Haevermaet (hans.vanhaevermaet(at)uantwerpen.be).

Please find here details.

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Tenure Track/Faculty Position in Physics at SISSA

The Physics Area at the "Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati" (SISSA) in Trieste, Italy, invites expressions of interest for a faculty position from outstanding female candidates with a strong research record in any of the fields covered by the Area (Astrophysics and Cosmology, Astroparticle and Gravitational Physics, Condensed Matter Physics, Statistical Physics, Statistical Physics of Biological Systems, Theoretical Particle Physics, Theoretical and Scientific Data Science).

The appointment procedure will be activated at the assistant professor, tenure-track, level* or associate professor level. The successful candidate is expected to work as an independent principal investigator, promoting and leading research activities to complement the current expertise of the present SISSA groups, as well as to attract external funds, take an active part in the SISSA PhD teaching programme, and supervise graduate students (selected on a competitive basis and funded by bursaries provided by SISSA).

Expressions of interest should be sent (in English and via Academic Jobs Online only) preferably by June 10, 2026. They should include:

  1. Curriculum Vitae and the names of at least three referees.
  2. 2. Description of current research interests.
  3. 3. List of ten publications of greatest interest for the selection.

The International School for Advanced Studies (SISSA) is a leading research and training institution (PhD School) located in Trieste, Italy. The campus is in a green area on the hills close to Trieste and is efficiently connected to the city by public transport. SISSA offers to its community first rate research facilities (e.g. High Performance Computing facilities) and services (canteen and kindergarten services located on site). The Physics Area at SISSA has connections with the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), the National Institute for Nuclear Physics (INFN), the National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF) and the National Council for Research (CNR). SISSA is also a founding member of several research Institutes such as IFPU and iGAP. More information on research in Physics at SISSA can be found here: Physics Area.

*In the Italian system, a tenure-track position corresponds to a “ricercatore TT”, i.e. an assistant professor to be confirmed (on the sole basis of her/his results) as a tenured associate professor starting from three years after appointment.

Please find here details.

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Openings for Multiple Postdoctoral Positions at ICTP-AP Beijing

The International Centre for Theoretical Physics – Asia Pacific (ICTP-AP), at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences (UCAS), will open multiple postdoctoral positions in 2026. The positions will provide successful candidates the opportunity to concurrently pursue their own research directions in gravitational-wave and/or dark-matter physics and phenomenology, while also collaborating with members of the ICTP-AP/UCAS LIGO group. Application deadline: March 31st 2026.

About the Institution ICTP-AP is the first UNESCO Category II centre in fundamental sciences established in China. It is a non-profit organisation dedicated to high-level research, education, and training in frontier areas of basic science and related interdisciplinary fields. The Centre is jointly supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC), and the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP, Italy), and is hosted by UCAS. Official website: https://ictp-ap.org

Position Details

  • Location: Beijing, China
  • Duration: Two years, renewable up to three years
  • Salary & Benefits:
  • Annual pre-tax salary of RMB 250,000 (excluding the employer’s contribution to social insurance and housing fund)
  • Housing allowance: RMB 6,000 per month
  • Generous support for travel and research expenses
  • Applicants are encouraged to apply for national/postdoctoral fellowship programs; successful awards will lead to corresponding salary increases

About the group The successful candidates will join the gravitational-wave group at ICTP-AP and conduct research in collaboration with Andrew L. Miller at ICTP-AP, as well as other faculty, postdocs and students.

The ICTP-AP gravitational-wave group focuses on using LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA as precision instruments to probe particle dark matter and exotic compact objects. It currently has two faculty members (Huaike Guo and Andrew L. Miller), five postdocs, and five PhD students. The group develops and applies robust data-analysis methods for continuous and long-duration gravitational-wave signals, and is involved in stochastic gravitational-wave background studies. Research spans gravitational-wave astronomy, particle physics, and statistical inference, and is carried out in close interaction with international collaborations.

We welcome new collaborations and research directions.

About Beijing Beijing is a vibrant international metropolis with a population of over 20 million, combining modern urban life with a rich cultural and historical heritage. The city is made up of many distinct neighborhoods and is surrounded by mountains, offering access to outdoor activities as well as nearby historical landmarks, including several well-preserved sections of the Great Wall.

As a major transportation hub, Beijing provides convenient high-speed rail and air connections to other regions of China, making it easy to explore the country. Supported by a large academic community and a diverse international population, the city offers a stimulating environment for both professional and personal life at a reasonable cost of living.

Qualifications

  1. A PhD in Physics
  2. Strong academic record
  3. Research experience in gravitational-wave physics, particularly in any of the following areas: o Probes of dark matter with gravitational waves o Continuous gravitational waves o Gravitational-wave searches for primordial black holes o Data analysis for next-generation ground- and space-based gravitational-wave detectors
  4. Demonstrated ability to conduct independent research, with high-quality publications as first or lead author in top journals of the field

Application Materials

  1. Cover letter and curriculum vitae
  2. List of publications
  3. Brief research statement detailing the applicant’s experience and what they would like to do at ICTP-AP
  4. Two letters of recommendation from experts in the field

Recruitment Process

  1. Applications will be accepted starting from the date of announcement until the position is filled
  2. Application review is expected to begin on January 23, 2026 The start date is negotiable, with early start encouraged.

Contact Information For any inquiries, please email Andrew L. Miller at: andrew.miller.ligo(at)ucas.ac.cn .

Please find here full details.

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Postdoctoral position in GW cosmology at ICG, University of Portsmouth

This postdoctoral position will focus on testing dark energy and modified gravity models with cosmological observations. Two aspects of this are of interest for this position, candidates are welcome via either route:

i) Linking simulations of large-scale structure (LSS) in modified gravity theories to observables relevant to stage IV surveys. Relevant skills include: experience with running and handling outputs from numerical simulations of LSS. Experience constructing emulators. Experience with forecasting and/or data analysis of galaxy clustering and weak lensing observables. Experience with HOD modelling. Other experience in constraining gravity with LSS will be considered.

ii) Testing gravity through the association of gravitational waves (GWs) and galaxies, e.g. dark sirens, GW-galaxy cross-correlation. Relevant skills include: experience with dark sirens software pipelines (e.g. gwcosmo, IcaroGW, CHIMERA…). Experience with GW x LSS cross-correlation computations. Experience with forecasting for 3G GW detectors. Other experience in GW cosmology will be considered.

Application deadline: 02/01/2026

The successful candidate will join the research team of Prof. Tessa Baker, and contribute to the ERC-funded SHADE project. Queries on the post can be directed to tessa.baker@port.ac.uk.

The working pattern for this post is full-time. Whilst there is a need to be in Portsmouth a few days a week, hybrid working is available for this role.

The interviews are currently anticipated to be held on 19 January 2025.

This appointment is a fixed-term contract for 12 months.

Applications (application form, CV, publication list and research proposal for the fellowship) should be submitted by the closing date. Applicants should also arrange for three letters of recommendation to be sent by email to icg-recruitment(at)port.ac.uk, to arrive by the same date.

Please find here full details.

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ETpathfinder Visiting Scientists Programme Open For Applications

The ETpathfinder Visiting Scientists Programme provides funding to welcome researchers and engineers to our ETpathfinder R&D facility in Maastricht, the Netherlands. This program is designed for senior scientists and engineers, postdoctoral researchers and experienced PhD students who wish to engage with cutting-edge interferometric technology while contributing their expertise to advance our experimental capabilities.

ETpathfinder serves as a R&D fieldlab facility for developing technologies that will enable future -generation gravitational wave detectors, such as Einstein Telescope. Our research focuses on high-precision interferometry with cryogenic silicon test masses, seismic isolation systems, optics, photonics, quantum noise reduction, controls and environmental monitoring as well as on engineering, systems engineering, integration and cleanliness aspects.

For any questions or enquiries, please contact us via etpf-visiting-scientist-prog(at)nikhef.nl

Applications can be submitted via this webpage.

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Global Talent Ireland Call

Global Talent Ireland aims to attract exceptional mid-career and established researchers from across the globe to Ireland. Researchers funded through this programme are required to transfer their research activities from their current location to an Eligible Research Body in Ireland. Given its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, Research Ireland welcomes applications from women and those from historically underserved communities.
  • Deadline for Expression of Interest: 28th August 2025
  • Deadline for full-proposal: October 2025
  • Duration: 6 years
  • Amount: €2.25M to 3.25M (direct costs)

The programme budget includes the resources to build a research team (e.g., staff, consumables and travel) to carry out high-impact, world-class research, and additional start-up costs to support the researcher’s move to Ireland.

The programme comprises two streams: Rising Stars and Research Leaders. High level details are outlined in the table below:

Career stage

Award duration

Research funding

Startup funding

Maximum budget request

Rising Star

5-15 years post-PhD

6 years

€1.5M

€0.75M

€2.25M

Research leader

16+ years post-PhD

6 years

€2.5M

€0.75M

€3.25M

Please find here full details.