Careers of Postdoctoral Researchers

About SQUASH Calls

SQUASH, the Slovenian Quantum Science Hub, an innovative, intersectoral, career-development and training programme is co-funded by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme and the Slovenian Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation. 40 talented individuals will be hired by the Jožef Stefan Institute, where they will have the opportunity to develop their own research ideas in one of 4 areas of quantum sciences: Quantum Theory, Quantum Materials, Quantum Technology, and Quantum Computing and Information. Mobility options and top-level training in scientific and transferable skills are additional priorities of SQUASH, made possible by the programme’s exciting group of Associated Partners in Slovenia, the EU and beyond.

Benefits of the programme

Selected postdocs will benefit from joining one of already well-established groups with excellent research background and will further profit from the complementary training at one or more of the esteemed Associated partner organisations. The applicants will be able to select and work with highly skilled primary supervisors, to ensure the best outcome of their individual scientific projects. Each accepted project must fall into one of the four broad research areas of specializations in quantum science covered by SQUASH. However, no restrictions will be applied in terms of the exact topic of each individual project.

Who can apply?

To be eligible for the evaluation process, the applicants must meet the following criteria on the date of the call deadline:

  • Have been awarded a doctoral degree (Applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply),
  • Comply with the Mobility Rule, i.e., they must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Slovenia for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to the call deadline,
  • Applicants must propose a postdoctoral research project. They have complete freedom to choose the details of the project, provided that it aligns with one or more of the programme’s key research areas (see research areas).
  • Applicants are encouraged to reach out to potential supervisors that will provide necessary help with preparing the application.

How to apply?

The applications must be submitted through the SQUASH web portal before the deadline of the call. Only applications written in English will be considered.

 

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

  • Personal details,
  • Eligibility,
  • Academic profile,
  • Non-academic experience,
  • Details of involvement in any communication, outreach or dissemination activities (excluding scientific publications),
  • Research area they are applying for, and
  • Questionnaire on ethical issues.

 

In addition, applicants must upload the following documents:

  • Europass CV with standard academic and research record, including a complete list of publications, • Motivation statement (max. 2 pages), that is based on a predefined set of questions where the applicant explains their interest in the SQUASH programme,
  • Project proposal (max. 10 pages), addressing how the proposal fits to one or more of the four key research areas as well as the aims and objectives of the proposed project, state of the art, originality and innovation of the proposal, research methodology and expected outputs, dissemination and communication plan, including an exploitation strategy if applicable. The proposal must include a Gantt chart and a financial plan. Any requirements for work to be carried out on secondment at one of the Associated Partners, or at some other location external to the project.
  • Letters of support from two esteemed scientists external to the SQUASH programme, assessing the applicant’s previous research activities, research capacity and work experience. Applicants can also point to letters of support on the https://academicjobsonline.org/ website.
  • Doctoral certificate or a certificate of PhD defence if the doctoral certificate has not yet been awarded (in both cases with notarised English translation).
  • Documents that explain any career breaks, if applicable.

 

The applicants are invited to define their research topic. After this, if desired, they could be assisted in their proposal by a chosen potential supervisor. The SQUASH selection process is based purely on merit-based rankings by a pool of international expert reviewers.