Host Your Research at National Institute of Biology (NIB) with MSCA-PF Funding!

Are you an ambitious postdoctoral researcher ready to take the next step in your scientific career? Join the National Institute of Biology (NIB) as your host institution for a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship (MSCA‑PF) and conduct cutting‑edge research with leading experts in biology, ecology, biotechnology, and environmental sciences.

We welcome motivated researchers from around the world who want to develop independent projects while benefiting from strong mentorship, career development support, and an international research environment.

🔬 Research Topics of Interest

dr. Matjaž Kuntner – Evolutionary Biology / Biogeography
Candidates prepare their own projects aligned with the EZ Lab (https://www.ezlab.si/),,) focusing on evolutionary biology or biogeography. Topics may include phylogenetics, integrative taxonomy, or advanced evolutionary analyses. Spiders and Madagascar are expected to be key focal points, though other taxa and regions are possible.

dr. David Dobnik – Genome Heterogeneity in AAV Gene Therapy Vectors
AAVs are leading tools in gene therapy, yet the consistency of their genomes remains poorly understood. This project investigates molecular mechanisms behind AAV genome heterogeneity using advanced analytical and molecular biology approaches. Fellows will gain highly interdisciplinary expertise relevant for academia and biotech/pharma.

dr. Andreja Ramšak – Micro/Nanoplastics: Energetic Imbalance & Transgenerational Effects
MPs/NPs absorb pollutants and overlap in size with particles ingested by marine invertebrates, causing reduced energy absorption, metabolic stress, and impaired reproduction. Recent findings highlight significant energetic and transgenerational impacts. The project will use state‑of‑the‑art biochemical assays, biomarkers, and kinetic analyses to study energy metabolism in benthic invertebrates (e.g., Mytilus spp.) exposed to multiple stressors.

dr. Anže Županič – Multiscale Digital Twin of Plants Under Environmental Stress
The goal is to develop a predictive Plant Digital Twin combining molecular interaction networks, cell‑level automata, and dynamic organ‑level models. The challenge is to create a computationally efficient yet biologically realistic multiscale system for simulating plant growth in varying environments.

dr. Tina Eleršek – Nature‑Based Solutions for Reducing Eutrophication
The research focuses on evaluating the effectiveness of nature‑based solutions (e.g., constructed wetlands, floating treatment wetlands) for nutrient removal and their impact on biological quality elements. Emphasis is on experiments, data analysis, modelling, citizen science, and management recommendations within frameworks such as the Water Framework Directive.

dr. Alenka Žunič Kosi – Semiochemicals & Chemical Communication in Insects
The project centers on volatile semiochemicals and pheromones in insects, especially longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae). Work includes preparing pheromone standards, organic synthesis, structural confirmation (GC–MS, NMR), and biological validation (GC–EAD, behavioural assays). The research can extend to ecologically or economically important insect groups.
Desired skills: organic synthesis, volatile compound analysis, interest in chemical ecology.

👥 Available Mentors

• dr. Matjaž Kuntner – Evolutionary biology, biodiversity, biogeography

• dr. David Dobnik – Molecular biology, gene therapy vectors, AAV analytics

• dr. Andreja Ramšak – Marine biology, ecotoxicology, stress physiology

• dr. Anže Županič – Systems biology, modelling, bioinformatics

• dr. Tina Eleršek – Freshwater ecology, eutrophication

• dr. Alenka Žunič Kosi – Organic/analytical chemistry, chemical ecology

📅 Timeline

We are currently accepting Expressions of Interest for the next MSCA‑PF call. NIB will support selected candidates in developing competitive fellowship proposals.

📩 Contact

Ivica Ilic & Andreja Poljak
projectoffice@nib.si