How to apply?

Applications should include:

• Curriculum vitae (two pages max, without photo)
• Research outline (two pages max, including 5–lines abstract/summary and a brief financial plan)
• Complete list of publications and talks (highlight 3 publications that best represent your research)
• Doctoral certificate
  

Documents that should be submitted to MCQST directly:

• Support letter from MCQST host committing to offer laboratory and office space
• Two letters of recommendation, at least one from an external expert outside MCQST

Send all application documents to support[at]mcqst.de

The application for 2026 is closed.

Thank you to everyone who applied to the program!

Selection Process

The MCQST Executive Committee selects the Junior Researcher START Fellows. In a two-stage selection process, candidates who successfully passed the first stage will be invited for an interview in Munich, likely in spring 2026. Selection criteria are scientific excellence and an original research proposal.

• Priority will be given to outstanding candidates who not only present an excellent research proposal but also demonstrate the leadership skills required to establish and lead their own research group.
• In the case of equally ranked proposals, preference will be given to candidates from outside the MCQST community.
• The start date of the fellowship will be fixed in agreement with the MCQST office, but should begin no later than 1 January 2027.

MCQST is an equal opportunity employer, and it is important to us to make our selection processes as fair and transparent as possible. Furthermore, we would like to explicitly encourage researchers with a background that is underrepresented in the QST community to apply. We are committed to creating and sustaining a welcoming work environment for everyone, regardless of ethnicity, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, social class, or age.