Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF)

About the programme

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships (MSCA-PF) are funded under Horizon Europe and are among the most prestigious research grants available to early-career researchers worldwide. They are bottom-up, open to all scientific disciplines, and place the researcher firmly in the lead.

PHAETHON CoE goes beyond hosting. We actively train and mentor applicants to develop winning proposals, drawing on an experienced research management team and a strong track record in competitive EU funding. Our approach mirrors that of leading European research universities, with a level of personalised support that is particularly valuable for first-time MSCA-PF applicants.

The MSCA-PF emphasises mobility, training and career development — and so do we. Fellows joining PHAETHON gain access to world-class infrastructure, international networks and a clear path toward research independence.

Where your research fits

Fellows work across PHAETHON’s core themes, joining interdisciplinary teams that combine academic rigour with applied innovation orientation. All disciplines relevant to the following areas are welcome.

Power Systems

Smart Grids

Energy Communities

Green Hydrogen

Data Analysis

ICT in Energy

AI & Neural Networks

Renewable Energy Sources 

State-of-the-art infrastructure

HPC clusters, digital-twin facilities, solar testing installations and advanced energy labs on the University of Cyprus campus.

International networks

Strong links with DTU, University of Groningen and a broad industrial partnership base across Europe and beyond.   

Top-ranked researchers

Three PHAETHON researchers on the 2025 Stanford–Elsevier Top Scientists List. Fellows work directly alongside these teams.                                                         

Eligibility criteria

• PhD awarded by the call deadline. Candidates who have successfully defended but not yet formally received their degree are also eligible.

• Up to 8 years of post-PhD research experience. Career breaks, parental leave and time spent outside research are excluded from this count in line with MSCA rules.

• Mobility requirement. Must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Cyprus for more than 12 months in the 36 months before the call deadline.

• Demonstrated scientific excellence appropriate to career stage.

• Motivated to develop an independent research career in an international setting. 

• ERA Fellowship also available. Cyprus is a Widening country, so applicants who score highly in the MSCA-PF ranking but fall outside the funded threshold are automatically eligible for the ERA Fellowships call – a second funding route based on the same proposal.

Benefits

• Gross monthly salary €4,468 per month

+ €535 monthly mobility allowance

+ Research, training & networking budget

+ Family allowance (where applicable)

• Access to advanced laboratories, HPC and digital-twin infrastructure

• International collaborations and research secondments

• Structured career development and mentoring throughout the fellowship

• Visa sponsorship and relocation support

• Opportunity to become a Group Leader at PHAETHON after successful completion

• Strong positioning for ERC and national/international follow-on funding

• Continued collaboration with PHAETHON post-fellowship

• Equal, inclusive and research-driven work environment 

What makes PHAETHON different

• One-to-one proposal mentoring throughout the preparation process

• Supervisor matching aligned with your research focus

• Proposal writing workshops covering all sections: excellence, impact, implementation

• Administrative support for submission, visa, relocation and settling-in

• Post-fellowship pathways including group leader roles and ERC readiness

A place to focus and to live well

Cyprus offers year-round sun, easy access to the sea and mountains, a safe and welcoming environment, and a cost of living that is competitive within the EU. Short commutes and a relaxed pace outside work mean researchers maintain real balance alongside demanding academic output.

Fellows are hosted at the University of Cyprus: a modern, internationally diverse campus in Nicosia. PHAETHON provides dedicated support for relocation, visas and residence permits from day one.

How to apply

The process starts with a simple expression of interest. No full proposal is required until after matching and training with PHAETHON.

1. Express your interest — by 30 April 2026

Email a CV and a short research idea (1–2 pages) to phaethon.vacancies@ucy.ac.cy. Include the names and contact details of two referees.

For more information check our website: https://www.phaethon-coe.eu/msca-pf-at-phaethon/