MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 at Sabancı University Turkey | Fully Funded Postdoc Opportunity

Join Meltem Elitaş Hartmann’s Lab in Single-Cell Microengineering and AI-Based Cell Analysis

A highly competitive research opportunity is available for motivated researchers interested in applying for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 and joining the research group of Dr. Meltem Elitaş Hartmann at Sabancı University, Istanbul, Türkiye.

The research group is seeking talented postdoctoral candidates who are interested in developing innovative projects at the interface of:

• Single-cell biology
• Microfluidic technologies
• Quantitative microscopy
• Artificial intelligence
• Biomedical engineering
• Systems biology

The laboratory focuses on understanding how individual cells respond, adapt, and survive under stress conditions using advanced experimental and computational approaches.

About the Host Research Group

Dr. Meltem Elitaş Hartmann leads research in the area of single-cell microengineering of stress and adaptation. Her research combines engineering technologies with biological systems to investigate cellular heterogeneity and microbial behavior at the single-cell level.

The laboratory integrates:

Cell Stress Response Quantification
Studying how cells sense and respond to environmental challenges using quantitative approaches.

Antibiotic Tolerance and Persistence
Understanding bacterial survival strategies and adaptation mechanisms that contribute to antibiotic tolerance.

Microfluidic Platforms for Single-Cell Analysis
Developing advanced microengineering systems to isolate and analyze individual cells.

Advanced Microscopy and Live-Cell Imaging
Using high-resolution imaging approaches to monitor dynamic cellular processes.

Deep Learning-Based Image Analysis and Cell Tracking
Applying artificial intelligence and computational methods to extract biological information from complex imaging data.

About Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship is one of the most prestigious postdoctoral funding programs supported by the European Union under Horizon Europe.

The fellowship supports excellent researchers who want to:

Conduct independent research projects
Gain international research experience
Develop advanced scientific and transferable skills
Build global research collaborations
Strengthen their academic career development

The fellowship is open to researchers from different scientific backgrounds and nationalities who meet the eligibility requirements.

Fellowship Benefits

Successful MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows receive comprehensive financial support, including:

Competitive salary and living allowance
Mobility allowance for international researchers
Family allowance (where applicable)
Research, training, and networking support
Opportunities for international collaboration and career development

The fellowship provides researchers with the opportunity to work in a world-class research environment while developing their own scientific profile.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants should generally fulfill the following requirements:

PhD Qualification

• Applicants must hold a PhD degree at the time of application deadline.
• Researchers who have completed their PhD defense but are waiting for formal degree confirmation may also be eligible.

Research Experience

• Maximum of 8 years of research experience after obtaining a PhD (with possible extensions according to MSCA rules).

Mobility Requirement

Candidates must comply with the MSCA mobility rule:

• They should not have resided or carried out their main activity in Türkiye for more than 12 months during the 36 months before the application deadline.

Who Can Apply?

Candidates from the following backgrounds are encouraged to apply:

Microbiology
Biotechnology
Molecular Biology
Cell Biology
Biomedical Engineering
Bioengineering
Computational Biology
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Science
Systems Biology

Applicants with experience in:

• Cell culture
• Microscopy
• Image analysis
• Microfluidics
• Single-cell technologies
• Machine learning

will be especially relevant for this opportunity.

How to Apply?

Interested candidates should contact:

Dr. Meltem Elitaş Hartmann
Sabancı University, Istanbul, Türkiye

Email: [email protected]

Candidates are encouraged to prepare:

• Updated CV
• Publication list
• Research experience summary
• Proposed MSCA project ideas
• Short explanation of research interests

Early communication with the supervisor is recommended because MSCA applications require preparation of a strong joint research proposal.

Why Apply for an MSCA Fellowship?

The MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship provides researchers with:

International research experience
Access to advanced technologies and research networks
Opportunity to develop an independent research direction
Strong career development support
Recognition as an internationally competitive researcher

This opportunity is ideal for researchers interested in combining biology, engineering, microscopy, and artificial intelligence to answer important questions about cellular adaptation and stress responses.

Opportunity Summary

Fellowship: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026
Host Institution: Sabancı University, Istanbul, Türkiye
Supervisor: Dr. Meltem Elitaş Hartmann
Research Theme: Single-cell microengineering of stress and adaptation
Research Areas: Microfluidics, microscopy, AI-based image analysis, microbial behavior
Position Type: Fully funded postdoctoral fellowship opportunity