Marie Curie (MSCA) & ERA Postdoctoral Fellowships at the Polish Academy of Sciences

If you are a postdoctoral researcher eager to expand your academic horizons through cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration in Europe, the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships offer you an exceptional opportunity. Applications are now open for the 2025 cohort, and the Institute of Philosophy and Sociology of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IFiS-PAN) in Warsaw invites expressions of interest from highly motivated candidates. These fellowships are ideal for researchers looking to establish themselves as independent scholars, particularly in the fields of philosophy, social sciences, and cognitive studies. Here's everything you need to know about this exciting opportunity.

🗒️ Fellowship Summary

Location: Warsaw, Poland
Host Institution: Institute of Philosophy and Sociology (IFiS), Polish Academy of Sciences
Academic Level: Postdoctoral
Areas of Focus: Philosophy (theoretical, modern, political, continental), social sciences, cognitive science, philosophy of mind, science and technology studies
Target Group: Early-career researchers (within 8 years post-PhD) of any nationality
Funding: Competitive salary, travel and mobility allowance, research costs, and family allowance where applicable
Duration: Typically 12–24 months
Application Deadline:

- Expression of Interest: 16 May 2025

- MSCA Final Application: 10 September 2025

Eligible To: Researchers who have not resided or worked in Poland for more than 12 months in the last 3 years before the deadline

🎓 Fellowship Overview

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are designed to promote international mobility and the development of high-quality research projects across disciplines. Fellows hosted at IFiS-PAN will benefit from advanced academic mentorship, engagement in institutional research initiatives, and a robust intellectual community.

Projects hosted at IFiS-PAN may explore themes such as:

Theoretical Philosophy: Explainable AI, scientific understanding, complexity, models and representation, philosophy of mind, epistemology of science
Modern & Early Modern Philosophy: History of philosophy, intellectual heritage from the Renaissance onwards
Continental & Political Philosophy: Critical theory, phenomenology, psychoanalysis, philosophical anthropology, postsecularism

Supervision is provided by world-class scholars including Associate Professors Daniel Kostić, Marcin Milkowski, Danilo Facca, Jagna Brudzińska, Adam Lipszyc, and Mikołaj Ratajczak. Fellows will also be integrated into a wide network of national and international researchers, with opportunities to participate in seminars, workshops, and academic conferences.

Additionally, applicants whose MSCA proposals are not funded may still be considered for ERA Fellowships automatically—an initiative supporting researchers hosted in Widening Countries like Poland. Those scoring above 85% also receive the MSCA Seal of Excellence, which makes them eligible for Poland’s Ulam NAWA Programme, offering equivalent support and conditions.

🎁 Fellowship Benefits

Monthly Living Allowance: Competitive salary package
Mobility Allowance: Supports relocation and travel
Family Allowance: Available for eligible fellows with dependents
Research Costs: Budget for project activities, publications, and conferences
Mentorship: Experienced supervisors and former MSCA Fellows provide guidance
Career Development: International visibility and skills training in research, communication, and leadership

✅ Eligibility Criteria

Must hold a PhD by the time of the call deadline
Up to 8 years of postdoctoral research experience
Open to all nationalities
Must not have lived or worked in Poland for more than 12 months in the past 3 years
Strong alignment of the proposed project with the research priorities of IFiS-PAN
Women, LGBTQ+ researchers, ethnic minorities, individuals from economically disadvantaged or war-affected regions, and first-generation scholars are especially encouraged to apply.

📝 Application Procedure

Step 1: Expression of Interest, Deadline: 16 May 2025

Submit the following documents by email to the appropriate supervisor based on your research area:

A detailed Curriculum Vitae (with publication list)
A 2-page research proposal outlining your project, objectives, and fit with IFiS-PAN's research scope