Join the FunGlass research centre of excellence through MSCA PF

The Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalised Glass (FunGlass, www.funglass.eu) is looking for ambitious researchers who want to push the boundaries of glass science through the prestigious MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships programme. Join our dynamic, multicultural team of over 80 professionals, including researchers, technicians, PhD students and innovation specialists, and gain access to world-class research facilities and career development opportunities.

If you are considering applying, please note these key dates:

  • Internal MSCA PF call @FunGlass closes: 3 JUNE 2026
  • MSCA call closes: 9 September 2026

APPLICATION INFORMATION:

Fellowships are open to researchers meeting the following criteria:

  • PhD degree at the time of the deadline for applications (applicants who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet been formally awarded the doctoral degree will also be considered eligible to apply).
  • Maximum of eight years of experience in research, from the date of the award of PhD degree, years of experience outside research and career breaks will not count towards the above maximum, nor will years of experience in research in third countries, for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries who wish to reintegrate to Europe.
  • The candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Slovakia for more than 12 months in the 36 monthsimmediately before the call deadline on 10 September 2025.

Candidates are expected to apply for the research topic that corresponds to the scientific domains of the FunGlass Centre (described below) through which the candidate will demonstrate their excellence and potential to significantly improve the Centre’s research performance.

Researchers interested in applying for an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship at FunGlass should submit the following documents via email to Mrs. Marcela Brodová (marcela.brodova@tnuni.sk) by 3 June 2026. Please include the name of the department to which your project relates in the subject line of your email (example: MSCA PF – Dpt. of Coating processes).

  • Cover Letter – Including a statement confirming the applicant meets the eligibility criteria.
  • Curriculum Vitae (Max. 2 pages) – Accompanied by a list of the most relevant publications.
  • Letter of Interest – Outlining the research proposal with an abstract and identifying synergies with a FunGlass scientific domain.
  • Additional Supporting Documents – Any other relevant information that may support the evaluation process.

Following the submission process, department heads will review and pre-select applications and will further communicate with shortlisted candidates to develop and refine their research topic proposals.

 

ABOUT FunGlass

FunGlass – Centre for Functional and Surface Functionalized Glass was established through the Horizon 2020 Teaming project (2017–2024) and has since grown into an internationally recognized, rapidly developing Centre of Excellence. Equipped with state-of-the-art infrastructure, it operates at Alexander Dubček University of Trenčín, Slovakia, in a region with a strong glass and ceramic industry presence.

The Centre boasts a talented international research team, state-of-the-art facilities, a globally connected and double degree doctoral program, modern management processes tailored to its needs, and a dedicated administrative department that actively supports researchers.

 The Centre is dedicated to pioneering research in functional glass materials and the functionalization of conventional glass, unlocking new possibilities for innovative applications in society. At FunGlass, our team shares a common mission: to push the boundaries of knowledge in glass science. Recent research topics include:

  • Key enabling technologies for photocatalysis, advancing energy-efficient and sustainable processes.
  • Hydrogen-powered glass melting, promoting greener manufacturing solutions.
  • Composite implants for biomedical applications.
  • Antibacterial glass coatings, enhancing hygiene and healthcare solutions.
  • Waste glass recovery and recycling, supporting circular economy initiatives.
  • Corrosion-resistant coatings, improving durability in extreme environments.

 During its tenure, the Centre managed to build strong relationships with respected academic partners (Prof. Boccaccini FAU (DE), prof. Wondraczek FSU DE), prof. Bernardo UNIPD (ITA), prof. Duran CSIC (ESP), CEITEC Brno (CZ), IIS SAS (SK), etc.) as well as industrial partners (AGC, Lithoz, Treibacher, RONA a. s., John Manville Slovakia, Vetropack a. s., Stevanato Group, Vetropack a. s., etc.) which proves the relevance of our research on an international scale and its potential for industrial applications.

OFFER for grant holders

The FunGlass Centre offers for the successful MSCA PF grant holders with FunGlass as a hosting institution:

  • Contract for 2 + 2 years (2 years funded from MSCA + 2 years extension). FunGlass offers its MSCA fellows an automatic option to extend duration of their contract by two additional years (under the same terms as MSCA PF grant but funded from FunGlass institutional resources)
  • State-of-the-art research infrastructure – including an investment of €9M in new laboratories inaugurated in 2022 (a full list of our equipment is available at https://www.funglass.eu/equipment/.
  • Access to secondments with world leading academic and industrial partners.
  • Grant proposal services – support with preparation and implementation of your MSCA IF grant from a project management team with a track record of coordinating large multinational research projects.
  • Eligibility to participate in MSCA widening grant scheme: SLOVAKIA belongs among the „widening coutries“ so researchers applying for a standard European Fellowship with a host organisation in a “widening country” can opt in to be considered for the ERA Fellowships call (directly in template). The best ERA Fellowships projects will be awarded to excellent applicants who were not selected under the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships call due to budget constraints. In addition, the applicants whose MSCA PF project proposals ranked above a predefined quality threshold (85%) but which was not funded by Horizon Europe due to budgetary constraints will be awarded by the Seal of Excellence label. This project will receive the certificate of the “Seal of Excellence” together with the evaluation results letter. These projects are judged to deserve funding and are recommended to receive support from other EU or national sources.

The FunGlass Centre comprises six research departments, each mentored by leading experts in glass science and technology from renowned partner institutions across Europe:

  • Department of Biomaterials
    • Lead by Dr. Martin Michálek
    • Focuses on in depth studies of various bioactive materials based on bioglass, bioceramic and biopolymers and their treatment and functionalization with the aim of adding them new functionalities. The focus of the department is to overcome the limitations of bioglass and biomaterials in general. The second area includes addition of new functionalities to bioactive materials, with specific focus on therapeutic factors such as targeted drug release.
  • Department of Coating Processes
  • Lead by assoc. prof. Amir Pakseresht
  • The coating department focuses on developing advanced high-temperature coatings (TBCs/EBCs) by synthesizing novel sprayable powders combined with optimized air/suspension plasma spray parameters to achieve tailored coating structures and ensure rigorous durability evaluation. Design and synthesize new high-entropy powders for next-generation TBCs and develop polymer-derived ceramic (PDC) coatings for high-temperature oxidation resistance. Fabrication of anti-reflective and low-emissivity (ZnO/TiO₂/SiO₂, Ag, and Al) coatings, as well as wear-resistant coatings (TiN, Si₃N₄, and DLC) on glass substrates using a hybrid PECVD-PVD method. This approach aims to optimize optical and mechanical properties through precise material selection and process control in an industrial pilot setup. Development of anti-corrosive composite coatings for metallic structures, particularly for biomedical implants surfaces of biodegradable (Mg, AZ31B, WE43B), permanent (Ni-Ti alloys) implants and light alloys utilizing Sol-Gel, PEO, and EPD methods. Evaluation of corrosion resistance through impedance, hydrogen evolution, and pH variations, alongside mechanical assessments like adhesion and hardness. Synthesis of Novel nanoparticle-based carrier systems and multifunctional polymer/metallic composite coatings and their corrosion inhibition capabilities in acidic and alkaline environments.
  • The department pioneers the research and development of next-generation functional materials, with emphasis on advanced glass-based systems, luminescent glasses and glass-ceramics, inorganic phosphors, MOFs, and high-entropy oxide materials. Its activities address cutting-edge applications in energy-efficient HB-LED lighting, optical and electrochemical sensing, gas separation, and sustainable environmental technologies. It also develops innovative photo- and electrocatalytic materials for hydrogen production and wastewater remediation.
  • Lead by Dr. Jozef Kraxner
  • Department of Glass Processing focuses on applied research in glass, glass-ceramics and advanced ceramic-based materials, with strong links to industrial needs and international collaboration. The department develops innovative solutions in glass recycling and upcycling, including porous 3D glass structures, glass-ceramic foams, and solid, hollow and porous glass microspheres for advanced applications. A major research direction is additive manufacturing of glass/glass-ceramics and ceramics, covering SLA, DIW, FDM and binder jetting technologies for lightweight structures, bioactive scaffolds, SOFC components, water-treatment systems and multi-material architectures. The department also supports the glass industry through lab-scale melting, characterization of glass and molten glass properties, optimization of melting and fining processes, low-emission glass production, refractory corrosion studies, ion-exchange treatments, and high-temperature observation. By combining sustainability, digital manufacturing, advanced glass and ceramic processing, functional material design and industrial problem-solving, the department offers an attractive environment for MSCA fellows interested in applied research with strong scientific, technological and societal impact.
  • The Joint Glass Centre is a joint laboratory of FunGlass, Institute of Inorganic Chemistry of the Slovak Academy of Sciences and Slovak University of Technology. Its research activities focus on the design, processing, and characterization of advanced glass, glass‑ceramic and ceramic materials with tailored properties with strong emphasis on understanding structure–property relationships in complex oxide systems, including bioactive glasses, optical and photonic materials, glass‑based composites, and high entropy oxides. Other major research directions involve understanding of mechanical properties and fracture of brittle materials, and DFT, MD, and FEM modeling of properties of solids.

USEFUL LINKS for more information on the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fewship is available:

Full call details:

https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/topic-details/HORIZON-MSCA-2026-PF-01-01?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=relevance&keywords=msca&isExactMatch=true&status=31094501,31094502,31094503&frameworkProgramme=43108390

Relevant documents and information