SQUASH Fellowship Program

2nd International Call for Postdoctoral Researchers

The final deadline for submitting complete applications to the public call is June 1, 2026, 8:00 a.m. CET

The SQUASH Program is a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND initiative offering 3-year postdoctoral positions in quantum science and technology. This 2nd international call invites outstanding researchers from around the world to join leading Slovenian and international institutions in shaping the future of quantum innovation. This 2nd Call (last call) is open from March 1, 2026 until June 1, 2026, 8:00 a.m. CET.

1. Subject of the call

The Jožef Stefan Institute is announcing a public call for participation in the SQUASH program – the Slovenian Quantum Science Hub. This is an innovative, intersectoral training and career-development program, co-funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions program GA n. 101177446 and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation of the Republic of Slovenia.

The aim of the SQUASH program is to enhance the research excellence and career opportunities of exceptional postdoctoral researchers from around the world. Selected candidates will have the opportunity to develop their research ideas in one of four areas of quantum science:

Quantum Theory
Quantum Materials
Quantum Technology
Quantum Computing and Information

The program, led by the Jožef Stefan Institute, includes collaboration with prominent associated partners from Slovenia, the EU, and beyond. It promotes career mobility and offers top-level training in scientific and transferable skills. Through this last - 2nd Call, SQUASH aims to employ 20 individuals for 3-year full-time postdoctoral contracts with competitive salaries, excellent research conditions, and international mobility.

2. Why apply?

The Slovenian Quantum Science Hub is an innovative, intersectoral program for training and career development. It is a highly competitive initiative offering researchers attractive conditions. The program will provide:

40, 3-year full-time employment contracts as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND fellow, with complete academic freedom to carry out your research project and a budget for research, training and travel,
Opportunities for international and intersectoral mobility through secondments with prominent SQUASH partners from Slovenia, various parts of Europe, North America, India, and Japan,
Strong links with industry through collaboration with SQUASH non-academic partners,
High-quality courses on SQUASH research topics, supplemented by extensive soft-skills programs, including transferable-skills development.

SQUASH is a project aligned with the strategic priorities of both Slovenia and the European Union. It provides young researchers from diverse fields of quantum science—ranging from physics, chemistry, and materials science to computing and engineering—a pathway to scientific maturity and independence.

Join us and develop your career in Slovenia, where science, innovation, and quality of life converge!

3. Who can apply?

Important documents and templates

Guide for applicants

Europass CV

Motivation letter

Research proposal (docx)

Research proposal (pdf)

Research proposal (tex)

Ethics appraisal procedure

Interview Guidelines

FaQ

1. Subject of the call

Quantum Theory
Quantum Materials
Quantum Technology
Quantum Computing and Information

2. Why apply?

40, 3-year full-time employment contracts as a Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND fellow, with complete academic freedom to carry out your research project and a budget for research, training and travel,
Opportunities for international and intersectoral mobility through secondments with prominent SQUASH partners from Slovenia, various parts of Europe, North America, India, and Japan,
Strong links with industry through collaboration with SQUASH non-academic partners,
High-quality courses on SQUASH research topics, supplemented by extensive soft-skills programs, including transferable-skills development.

Join us and develop your career in Slovenia, where science, innovation, and quality of life converge!

3. Who can apply?

To participate in the evaluation process, applicants must meet the following criteria by the application deadline:

Hold a doctoral degree (or have successfully defended their dissertation, even if the degree is not yet formally awarded).
Comply with the mobility rule, i.e., have not resided or carried out their main activities in Slovenia for more than 12 months within the last 3 years before the application deadline.
Propose an independent postdoctoral research project aligned with one or more of the key research areas of the program.
Applicants are encouraged to consult potential supervisors, who can guide the applicant through the application process.

SQUASH promotes an inclusive, diverse, and supportive research environment, encouraging applications from underrepresented groups.

4. The application

Applications must be written in English and submitted via the online portal of the Jožef Stefan Institute for the SQUASH program before the application deadline (June 1, 2026, 8:00 a.m. CET).

The portal requires each applicant to first register and then complete the following sections:

Personal information
Eligibility
Academic profile
Non-academic experience
Details of participation in any communication, promotional, or dissemination activities (excluding scientific publications)
Research field for which they are applying
Ethics questionnaire

In addition, applicants must upload the following documents:

Europass CV with standard academic and research information, including a complete list of publications.
Motivation letter, based on a predefined set of questions, explaining the applicant's interest in the SQUASH program and the reasons for their application, including how they expect the program to enhance their career goals.
Research proposal (word, pdf) (maximum 10 pages), addressing how the proposal aligns with one or more key research areas, as well as the objectives and purpose of the proposed project, the state of the art, originality and innovation of the proposal, research methodology, and expected outcomes. The proposal should also include a dissemination and communication plan, including an exploitation strategy if applicable. It must include a Gantt chart and financial plan, as well as requirements for work to be carried out during a mandatory secondment with one of the associated partners or at another location outside the project.
Completed Ethics Self-Assessment and also an Ethics Statement of not more than 2 pages, including a description of the nature of these issues and how they plan to deal with them, annexing the Ethics Statement to the Project Proposal. (Template in pdf)
Recommendation letters from two evaluators outside the SQUASH program, assessing the applicant's previous research activities, research abilities, and work experience. Applicants can also send recommendation letters via the AcademicJobsOnline website.

Eligibility Summary

PhD awarded (or thesis defended)
Mobility rule: not in Slovenia >12 months in past 3 years
Research proposal aligned with SQUASH themes

Timeline for the 2nd Call - 2026

5. Employment details

Researchers will be employed under a standard 3-year fixed-term employment contract following national regulations. All legitimate statutory benefits under national regulations and host institution rules will apply, including working hours, flexible working time, paid annual leave, sick leave, parental leave, social security, pension insurance, and family allowances.
Researchers will receive a monthly gross salary of €5.600,00/€6.100,00 (without/with family allowance). This is gross* amount that includes all taxes and other statutory contributions. The researcher's net salary will be determined after deducting all mandatory social security contributions and direct taxes. The researcher will be contracted to work for 40 hours per week, with national (bank) holidays and approx. 25–30 personal free days (depending on previous working experience, social circumstances such as number of children, etc.) and fully paid maternity/paternity/parental leave. The institution will pay the salary in accordance with national legislation and established practice, providing equal working conditions, rights, and obligations as for other employees and researchers. Employment conditions will comply with the European Charter and Code for Researchers.
In Call 2, the expected starting date of employment is between 1 January 2027 and 1 March 2027, provided that all administrative procedures related to employment and moving to Slovenia are completed by then.

For more information, please refer to the Applicant's Guide.
*Gross salary with employer's social contributions.

6. Evaluation criteria, candidate selection and redress

6. 1. Selection Process: Transparent and Evaluation in 7 Stages

The SQUASH selection procedure ensures a fair, transparent, and merit-based recruitment of postdoctoral fellows. The process is aligned with the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and consists of the following 7 key stages:

1. Eligibility Check

Immediately after the submission deadline, all applications are reviewed to ensure they meet formal eligibility requirements (e.g., PhD status, mobility rule, complete documents). Only eligible applications proceed to evaluation.

2. Proposal Evaluation by Experts

Eligible proposals are evaluated remotely by a Proposal Evaluation Committee consisting of international experts in the relevant scientific fields. Each application is reviewed by three independent evaluators.

3. Consensus Score and Shortlisting

A consensus score is reached from the individual assessments. Applications that score 8 or higher (out of 10) are shortlisted for the next stage. Feedback reports are compiled for each applicant.

4. Invitation to Interview

The top 40 shortlisted candidates are invited to an online interview. Invitations are issued with clear instructions and evaluation guidelines for transparency and preparation.

5. Interview Stage

Candidates are assessed during a 40-minute recorded interview by an Interview Evaluation Panel. The evaluation focuses on the applicant’s communication skills, motivation, project feasibility, and alignment with the program.

6. Final Selection and Ranking

Interview scores are combined with proposal scores using a weighted formula:

70% written proposal score
30% interview score

Final rankings are compiled and presented to the Governing Board, which formally approves the list of selected fellows and a reserve list.

7. Notification and Feedback

All applicants are notified of the outcome. Rejected applicants receive an evaluation summary report. A redress procedure is in place to address possible procedural errors.

Equality between genders is guaranteed, and all forms of discrimination against individuals applying as young researchers are strictly prohibited.

1. Eligibility Check

2. Proposal Evaluation by Experts

3. Consensus Score and Shortlisting

A consensus score is reached from the individual assessments. Applications that score 0 or higher (out of 10) are shortlisted for the next stage. Feedback reports are compiled for each applicant.

4. Invitation to Interview

The top 40 shortlisted candidates are invited to an online interview. Invitations are issued with clear instructions and evaluation guidelines for transparency and preparation.

5. Interview Stage

6. Final Selection and Ranking

Interview scores are combined with proposal scores using a weighted formula:

70% written proposal score
30% interview score

Final rankings are compiled and presented to the Governing Board, which formally approves the list of selected fellows and a reserve list.

7. Notification and Feedback

All applicants are notified of the outcome. Rejected applicants receive an evaluation summary report. A redress procedure is in place to address possible procedural errors.

Equality between genders is guaranteed, and all forms of discrimination against individuals applying as young researchers are strictly prohibited.

Evaluation criteria

Written Proposal Evaluation (70%)

Table 1.1a. Evaluation criteria applied to the applicant and the research proposal.

Proposal (50% weight of the total score)

Excellence (25%)

Implementation and Feasibility (15%)

Dissemination and Impact (10%)

State of the art description; Clarity of research objectives and research methodology; Originality and pertinence of the proposed research; Relevance to the Key Research Areas

Quality and effectiveness of the work plan; Feasibility within given time-frame and available budget; Appropriateness of the researcher's professional experience competences and skills to carry out the research project; Match between the project and the selected SQUASH host research group(s)

Dissemination-and-exploitation plan (range/diversity of dissemination activities including conference attendance, conference organisation, seminars, outreach activities, etc.); Expected impact on the research field; Expected impact on the strengthening of the SQUASH network

Applicant (50% weight of the total score)

Track record (20%)

Leadership Qualities and Motivation of the Applicant (15%)

Career development (15%)

Research experience and past achievements; Professional Recognitions and Services

Clarity and quality of research and career goals; Demonstrated leadership qualities and ability to go beyond disciplinary specialisms

Relevance of the project for the applicant's career development; Expected new partnerships and relevance of potential cross-sectoral collaboration

Interview Assessment (30%)

Table 1.1 b: Evaluation criteria applied to the applicant in the interview.

Project (50% weight of the total score)

Presentation (25%)

Discussion (25%)

Clarity of the presentation, research objectives and methodology; How the project goes beyond the state of the art

Knowledge of the proposal's research field and how it fits in the broader scientific context; Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan; Awareness of risks and appropriateness of mitigation plans

Researcher (50% weight of the total score)

Expected career impact (25%)

Potential of the applicant (25%)

Motivation; Career path vision

Potential for leadership; Communication skills; Independent thinking, ability to propose excellent research; Creativity, originality of ideas

Written Proposal Evaluation (70%)

Table 1.1a. Evaluation criteria applied to the applicant and the research proposal.

Proposal (50% weight of the total score)

Excellence (25%)

State of the art description; Clarity of research objectives and research methodology; Originality and pertinence of the proposed research; Relevance to the Key Research Areas

Implementation and Feasibility (15%)

Dissemination and Impact (10%)

Applicant (50% weight of the total score)

Track record (20%)

Research experience and past achievements; Professional Recognitions and Services

Leadership qualities and motivation of the applicant (15%)

Clarity and quality of research and career goals; Demonstrated leadership qualities and ability to go beyond disciplinary specialisms

Career development (15%)

Relevance of the project for the applicant's career development; Expected new partnerships and relevance of potential cross-sectoral collaboration

Interview Assessment (30%)

Table 1.1 b: Evaluation criteria applied to the applicant in the interview.

Project (50% weight of the total score)

Presentation (25%)

Clarity of the presentation, research objectives and methodology; How the project goes beyond the state of the art

Discussion (25%)

Knowledge of the proposal's research field and how it fits in the broader scientific context; Coherence and effectiveness of the work plan; Awareness of risks and appropriateness of mitigation plans

Researcher (50% weight of the total score)

Expected career impact (25%)

Motivation; Career path vision

Potential of the applicant (25%)

Potential for leadership; Communication skills; Independent thinking, ability to propose excellent research; Creativity, originality of ideas

Guidelines for the inteview

Interview Guidelines

6. 2. Redress

Any applicant who is rejected during the evaluation process has the right to submit an appeal under the following conditions:

Scope of Redress: Appeals can only address procedural errors in the evaluation process. Disagreements with the scores or opinions of evaluators will not be considered valid grounds for appeal.
Where to Appeal: Appeals must be submitted to the Executive Board of the SQUASH program. Contact: squash@ijs.si
Time Limit: Appeals must be filed within 7 days of the applicant being informed of the rejection.
Final Decision: If a procedural mistake is confirmed, the Governing Board will re-evaluate the application. The Governing Board’s decision following the redress review is final and binding.

7. Ensuring equal opportunities

SQUASH is committed to fostering an inclusive research environment. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates, regardless of gender identity, nationality, ethnic background, disability, age, or sexual orientation.

8. Additional information

The final deadline for submitting complete applications to the public call is June 1, 2026, 08:00 a.m. CET.

Only complete applications submitted in English through the online portal and received by the application deadline will be considered. Applications submitted before the call’s publication date or after the specified deadline will not be considered.

Important documents and templates

Guide for applicants

Europass CV

Motivation letter

Research proposal (word)

Research proposal (pdf)

Ethics appraisal procedure

FaQ

Frequently asked questions - FAQ

Q: What does SQUASH stand for?

A: SQUASH stands for Slovenian Quantum Science Hub.

Q: How do I apply for the fellowship?

A: All applications must be submitted online through the official SQUASH platform: https://join.squash.ijs.si/.

The applicant must register on the SQUASH platform and create an account using a valid e-mail address and a password. This e-mail address will be used for all future correspondence.

Upon registration, the applicant will receive an automatic confirmation e-mail with a link to access the platform. The system will also redirect the applicant to their personal dashboard.

The applicant must complete all online forms and upload the required documents using the templates provided on the SQUASH website [https://squash.ijs.si/en/2nd-call/] or on the platform.

You will find all additional information as well as the detailed Guide for applicants on the SQUASH website: https://squash.ijs.si/en/2nd-call/.

Q: Can I submit an application by email?

A: No. All applications must be submitted through the SQUASH online platform. Submissions by e-mail will not be accepted.

Q: Do I have to use the templates provided?

A: Yes. Where templates are provided, they must be used. Where a template is not provided, a free-form document may be submitted.

Q: Do my documents need to be translated into English?

A: Official documents providing evidence for compliance with the Mobility rule are not required to be translated if dates and other relevant information is clearly visible. Other documents must follow the translation requirements of the call.

Q: Are automatically generated certificates (from a university system) acceptable?

A: Yes, electronically generated official certificates are accepted.

Q: If I cannot obtain my official diploma at the moment, is an electronically signed graduation certificate acceptable?

A: Yes, electronically signed certificates are acceptable at the application stage. Original documents may be requested later during the employment process.

Q: Do I need to have defended my PhD at the time of applying or by the time the fellowship is awarded?

A: To be eligible for the fellowship, you need to have defended your PhD by the application deadline. Proof of holding a PhD must be uploaded with the application. Accepted documents include:

an English original or certified English translation of the PhD certificate, or
an English original or certified English translation of an official statement from the institution confirming the date of the successful defense in cases where the doctoral degree has not yet been formally awarded by the application deadline.

Q: Is my PhD field relevant for eligibility?

A: There are no restrictions as regards the exact field the applicant holds a PhD in. The research proposal must align with one of the key research areas of the fellowship programme (see more: https://squash.ijs.si/en/research-areas/). Applicants should explain the connection between their previous work and the proposed project within the application and project proposal. This is addressed in the proposal template under the Excellence section, subsection “2.4 Relevance for the Key Research Area(s)”. Applicants may further elaborate on this connection in their motivation letter.

Q: Do I need Europass CV?

A: Yes, you do. Create your Europass CV.

Q: Does the CV include publications?

A: Yes. The required Europass CV must include a complete list of publications as part of the academic and research record.

Q: Do applicants need a letter from the host organization?

A: Applicants do not need a formal letter from the host institution. However, it is highly recommended that they reach out to potential supervisors for help as regards preparing the proposal.

Q: How are recommendation letters submitted? Can I upload them myself?

A: Recommendation letters must be submitted solely through the official channels selected at the beginning of the application process. Referees have 48 extra hours after the call deadline to upload their letters. Candidates cannot upload the letters themselves. If a referee is unavailable, applicants should determine an alternative referee before the application deadline. For more information, please refer to Section 6.3 of the Guide for Applicants, available at https://squash.ijs.si/en/2nd-call/

Q: How do I send recommendation letters through the Academic Jobs online portal?

A: Detailed instructions for sending letters through the Academic jobs online are available in section 6.3 of the Guide for Applicants, available at https://squash.ijs.si/en/2nd-call/

Q: What is the exact deadline for reference letters?

A: Referees may submit their letters up to 48 hours after the call deadline. Later submissions will not be accepted.

Q: How do I choose a potential supervisor and should I reach out to them before submitting my application?

A: The list of supervisors is available on the Squash website: https://squash.ijs.si/en/advisors/. It is highly recommended to contact potential supervisors directly to discuss your project and receive guidance before submitting your proposal.

Q: Is it mandatory to contact my proposed supervisor prior to application?

A: No, but it is highly recommended. Applicants are encouraged to reach out to potential supervisors for guidance.

Q: Can I apply for multiple positions with multiple supervisors?

A: No. An applicant may only submit one proposal per call.

Q: Can I take my fellowship to another institution?

A: No. Fellowships are tied to the SQUASH host institution and the implementing partner. The fellowship cannot be transferred to a different institution.

Q: Are secondments essential to the proposal?

A: Secondments are mandatory. Applicants are expected to outline secondment plans in their proposals.

Q: Are costs associated with a secondment separate from annual research costs?

A: Yes, sometimes. Secondment-specific allowances are separate and may include subsistence support for high-cost locations.

Q: I am not happy with the result of my evaluation: what can I do?

A: Applicants may appeal within 7 days of receiving their report via a redress procedure, but only as regards procedural errors and not as regards grades or assessment reviewers provide in their reports.

Q: If successful, are there any restrictions on whether a postdoc researcher can hold funding from other sources (e.g., IRC, ERC)?

A: Yes. A postdoc researcher employed within SQUASH must not receive other income.

Q: Should the applicant define secondments in the proposal already?

A: Yes. One or more secondments should be detailed in the project proposal, including duration and host.

Q: How flexible is the secondment in terms of duration and timing?

A: The secondment plan can be adjusted during the project, as long as the total secondment period stays within the 3 to 12 months and is agreed upon by the supervisor(s).

Q: How should we add references to our proposals, in footnotes or at the end?

A: The formatting is not specified, so either footnotes or a reference list at the end is acceptable in a font size 8 or 9—choose based on clarity and space management. These references count towards the page limit.

Q: How should I correctly use the project proposal template?

A: Please follow the instructions for preparing your proposal within the 10-page limit:

Delete page 1 (title "Template…").
Place the title of your proposal onpage 2 of the template. This will be the first page of your proposal (it does not count towards the 10 pages).
Page 3 (instructions) should bedeleted after being read and taken into account.
Counting for sections 1–5 begins on page 4 of the template (which becomes page 2 of your proposal, and the first page that counts towards the 10-page limit).
Delete the instructions in italic on pages 4 and 5.
Section 6 (Gantt chart) does not counttowards the 10-page limit.
Literature and referencesmust be included in the proposal either as footnotes or in a final references section. Use font size 8 or 9. References count towards the 10-page limit.

Q: Is the 10-page total length flexible? I notice that the template does not force any limitations.

A: The 10-page total PDF limit is enforced. Even though the project proposal template allows more pages, all sections excluding the Gantt chart must fit within the 10 pages. The Gantt chart can exceed the 10-page limit and may take more pages as it does not count towards the 10-page restriction.

Q: What should be included in the Financial Plan for research and travel-related costs?

A: The financial plan should specify how the research, networking, and secondment budgets will be used, including travel, consumables, conference fees, and publication costs.

Q: What are the mobility requirements for applicants?

A: To meet the mobility rule, applicants must not have lived or carried out their main activity (work, study, etc.) in Slovenia for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the call deadline.

Q: What evidence do I need to provide to demonstrate compliance with the mobility rule?

A: Applicants must provide evidence covering at least 24 of the 36 months prior to the application deadline, demonstrating they had not resided or carried out their main activities in the host country for more than 12 months. Examples include employment contracts, residence certificates, or institutional confirmations. For further information please refer to section 6.3 of the Guide for Applicants.

Q: Is it possible for applicants who completed their PhD in Slovenia to apply?

A: Yes, provided they meet the mobility rule, i.e., they must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, study, etc.) in Slovenia for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately preceding the call deadline.

Q: If someone has only been visiting or working under a hosting agreement, does that count toward the 12-month limit?

A: Applicants must demonstrate that they had not resided in Slovenia or carried out their main activity (e.g., employment or study) in Slovenia for more than twelve months within the mentioned three-year period. Short-term visits, which are of personal nature do not count.

Q: Does the question in the Ethics Statement about activities in non-EU countries include conference travel?

A: Yes. In Horizon Europe, the ethics self-assessment covers any activities outside the EU, including dissemination activities such as conference participation. These should be taken into account in the ethics section. See more: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/common/guidance/how-to-complete-your-ethics-self-assessment_en.pdf

Q: The motivation letter template contains guiding questions with character limits. Should I answer each question separately?

A: Yes. It is recommended that applicants respond directly to each guiding question, as this ensures consistency and equal assessment for all candidates.

Q: The platform changed the name of my uploaded file when I submitted multiple versions. Is this a problem?

A: When multiple submissions occur on the same day, the system may automatically append characters to avoid duplicate filenames. This is normal and does not affect your application.

Q: Will I receive an acknowledgement after submitting my proposal?

A: Yes. All applicants who submit a complete application will receive an e-mail after the call closes. Applicants will be also notified as soon as the evaluation progresses to the next stage. All official communication will be sent by e-mail. The platform stays accessible until the end of the call.

Q: I cannot log into my account after the submission period. Who can help me?

A: The platform remains accessible until the end of the call. If login issues persist, contact us via squash@ijs.si. Applicants will also receive all important updates by e-mail.

Q: Is it possible to receive an extension to complete the application?

A: No. For transparency and fairness, applications must be submitted before the call deadline. Information about future calls is available on the Squash website: https://squash.ijs.si/en/discover-squash/.