MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 – Amyloid Fibrils in Foams and Emulsions

RE: MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 – Amyloid Fibrils in Foams and Emulsions

Host Institution: Jerzy Haber Institute of Catalysis and Surface Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences (Kraków, Poland)

Research Group: Interfacial Interactions in Dispersed Systems

Supervisor: Dr. Georgi Gochev, PhD, DSc

MSCA Call Deadline: 09 September 2026

Internal Expression of Interest Deadline: 31 May 2026

🌍 About MSCA PF

The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships are among the most prestigious European funding schemes, supporting excellent researchers through mobility, advanced training, and international collaboration.

⚠️ Important Note

This is a hosting offer, not a direct employment contract. Appointment is subject to successful funding under the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 call.

🎯 What We Offer

·     Full support in MSCA PF 2026 proposal preparation (May-August)

·     Co-development of a competitive and innovative project

·     Mentoring and career development support

·     Integration into an international research network

🏛️ Research Environment

The project will be hosted by the Interfacial Interactions in Dispersed Systems Group offering:

·     Expertise in colloid and interface science

·     Access to advanced experimental infrastructure

·     International collaborations

🔬 Project Overview

Amyloid fibrils derived from food proteins are emerging as highly efficient stabilizers of soft-matter colloids, such as foams and emulsions, typically outperforming native proteins. However, their behaviour across length scales remains insufficiently understood, limiting rational design. This project addresses this challenge through a multiscale experimental approach, linking fibril structural and physicochemical properties to interfacial organization and macroscopic colloidal stability. The main scientific novelty is the first systematic study of thin liquid films (TLFs) stabilized by amyloid fibrils. A TLF is a nanometer-thick liquid layer separating adjacent bubbles in foam or droplets in emulsion. TLF represents the key mesoscale element governing bubble or droplet coalescence – the primary destabilization mechanism in foams and emulsions. By establishing interrelations between fibril properties, interfacial organization and TLF stability, the project aims to uncover the fundamental mechanisms governing fibril-mediated stabilization in soft-matter colloids.

The research will focus on:

·     Structural characterization of amyloid fibrils derived from food proteins

·     Adsorption, surface rheology and nanoscale organization at soft-matter interfaces

·     Translation of interfacial behaviour into thin liquid film stability

·     Elucidation of fibril-mediated stabilization mechanisms in foams and emulsions

Within this scope, the exact project description and the proposal will be co-developed with the candidate, allowing alignment with his/her expertise, scientific interests and career goals.

🧪 Methodological Approach

The project will be carried out in Kraków within a collaborative and international research environment, combining complementary experimental techniques, including:

·  Interfacial rheology

·  Surface-sensitive spectroscopy and neutron reflectometry

ü Secondment to Münster, Germany

ü Proposal-based access to neutron facilities in Grenoble, France

·     Thin liquid film investigations

ü Secondment to Sofia, Bulgaria

🎯 Expected Outcomes

The project will advance the fundamental understanding of protein-based soft-matter colloids, contributing to:

·     Food and bio-based colloidal systems

·     Advanced functional materials

·     Sustainable materials and formulations

👤 Candidate Profile

We welcome candidates who:

·     Hold a PhD in chemistry, chemical engineering, physics, biophysics, or a related field

·     Have a strong interest in colloids, interfaces, and protein systems

·     Demonstrate creativity, independence, and motivation

·     Comply with MSCA PF mobility and eligibility rules

📩 Application Procedure

Motivated candidates are invited to send:

·     A brief CV (2–3 pages, including scientific background)

·     A short cover letter outlining the candidate’s vision and potential synergy with the project’s scope

to: georgi.gochev@ikifp.edu.pl

(Informal inquiries are welcome)