Hosting Offer at Sabancı University – MIDST Lab

"Midstlab" of Atilgan Group at Sabancı University is looking for outstanding postdoctoral researchers interested in applying for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) 2026.

Join an interdisciplinary research environment where theoretical physics, network science, computational biology, and mathematical modelling come together to address fundamental questions in biology and materials science. Prof. Ali Rana Atilgan develops computational and theoretical approaches to understand how the dynamics of complex molecular systems give rise to biological and physical function. His research combines network-based descriptions of protein dynamics, stochastic processes, and statistical physics with applications ranging from biomolecular function and antibiotic resistance evolution to functional materials.

Current research activities focus on three complementary directions: temporal-network dynamics of biomolecules, where finite-time network models reveal the mechanisms underlying protein function; optimization of antibiotic resistance, where evolutionary trajectories are modelled to design treatment strategies that reverse drug resistance; and thermodynamics of ferroelectric thin films, where rigorous theoretical frameworks are developed to understand electrocaloric phenomena and functional dielectric materials. These research directions offer excellent opportunities for ambitious postdoctoral researchers to develop original MSCA projects at the interface of computational biology, complex systems, statistical physics, and materials science.

Researchers joining MIDST Lab will have the opportunity to develop novel analytical and simulation methods, collaborate across disciplines, access advanced computational resources, and contribute to internationally competitive research addressing fundamental scientific questions with applications in biomedicine and energy materials.

HOST INSTITUTION:

On a national level, SU has been one of the most successful universities in Türkiye in terms of the number of EU Framework Programmes funded projects per faculty member. The Sabancı University Research and Technology Transfer Office (SU ATT) is well-structured to manage the 262 active projects simultaneously, with approximately 57% of the total budget allocated to EU projects.

Research at SU is an interdisciplinary effort extending across all branches of science, technology, and arts. Academic activities are performed within the framework of three faculties composed of non-departmental and interdisciplinary programs: the Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and the School of Management, which feature a total of 12 undergraduate, 52 graduate and 17 doctoral programs. SU has also several research centres, including Integrated Manufacturing Research and Application Center (SU-IMC), Data Analytics Research and Application Center (VERIM), Center of Excellence in Nano Diagnostics (EFSUN)

OFFER DESCRIPTION & REQUIREMENTS:

The potential applicants are expected to have a strong background in a programming language of their own preference. We are also interested in candidates with an applied mathematics background and an interest in biological problems. MIDSTLab is well-equipped in this area with computational resources, graduate students, and researchers. Candidates should have strong motivation and team spirit with enthusiasm to bring scientific questions to successful conclusions.

Please check the conditions and your eligibility at the following link: 

https://marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu/actions/postdoctoral-fellowships

HOW TO APPLY?

For applications, the expression of interest should be submitted by email to alirana.atilgan@sabanciuniv.edu with the subject "Expression of interest for the MSCA PostDoctoral Fellowship 2026 – Midst Lab. - name of the candidate". The Expression of interest should include the following information:

1. Curriculum Vitae

2.  A brief outline of the proposed research project with defined objectives (max 2 pages)

3. Motivation letter

HOSTING OFFERS:

• Proposal review support by the Engineering and Natural Sciences Project Office

• Full support for project administration

• Access to key computational servers, databases, software and labs

• Secondments at the extensive collaborator network of the host

• Full access to the university Information Center, Sports Center and other available facilities and Research Centers