NeuroCure Talents Postdoc Program

Call for applications - NeuroCure Talents

We invite highly qualified postdoctoral researchers from around the globe to apply for a three-year fully funded NeuroCure Talents Fellowship. Successful applicants will be hosted by a NeuroCure PI lab and supported to develop an independent and collaborative research agenda within the Cluster and the Berlin neuroscience community.

What we offer:

• Independent research funding: Full salary position including social security benefits (German public sector pay grade E13*), plus a personal budget for travel, conferences, and training.
• Structured mentorship: Guidance from experienced NeuroCure principal investigators.

• Collaborative environment: NeuroCure brings together basic and clinical researchers in an interdisciplinary and translational research network that aims to better understand disease mechanisms and develop new therapies for neurological and psychiatric disorders. The Cluster is embedded in Berlin’s diverse and vibrant neuroscience community, including numerous renowned research institutions and a wide range of research foci from cellular and molecular neurosciences to systems and computational approaches. Collaborations with other labs - both within and outside NeuroCure - are actively encouraged to foster interdisciplinary projects that advance basic, clinical, and translational neurosciences.

• Professional development: Regular workshops, seminars, and peer‑networking events; support for science communication, open science, innovation management, and strategic career planning.
• Family‑friendly & inclusive culture: NeuroCure is committed to fostering a family‑friendly and inclusive work environment that welcomes researchers from all backgrounds, including underrepresented groups.
  
  

Eligibility:

• Career stage: Postdocs with an academic age** up to ten years (after PhD) can apply.
• Research experience: Candidates should have a strong track record of producing high-quality, impactful research that advances their field, including at least one first‑ or last‑author publication in a peer‑reviewed journal. Familiarity with open science practices and robust research data management is a prerequisite.
• Thematic fit: Research interests must align with the thematic areas of the participating NeuroCure labs (see below).
• Skills: Fluency in spoken and written English, as well as excellent communication skills, are essential.
• Diversity: Women, scientists with disabilities, and other underrepresented groups are especially encouraged to apply.
  
  

How to Apply:

1. Register on the NeuroCure MERIT portal.

We recommend registering as early as possible to review the application guidelines and familiarize yourself with the required information.

2. Complete the application by entering all required information and uploading all required documents. Incomplete drafts can be saved and resumed at any time up to the deadline. The portal will be open for entering application information on January 9, 2026.

3. Submit the completed application by February 8, 2026

4. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an online selection symposium (anticipated dates: March 19 & 20, 2026).

Participating NeuroCure labs:

Please see the NeuroCure members’ profiles for detailed information about their research foci.

^{According to § 110 of the Berlin Higher Education Act (BerlHG), the employee is granted time for their own scientific qualification.}

^{* German public sector pay grade E13 within the “Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst (TVöD) -VKA ” – the labor agreement governing salaries for municipal employees in Germany. The exact experience level is determined by the employee’s qualifications and number of years of relevant work experience.}

^{**Academic age is calculated as years after receiving your doctoral degree (life/natural sciences candidates and others) or license to practice medicine (medical candidates) , deducting times outside of research due to, e.g., parental leave, full-time care responsibilities, long-term serious illness or other personal hardships (e.g., asylum seeking), clinical training, full-time employment in industry, etc..}