Call for Expressions of Interest: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026

Topic 1

• Ismael Blanco – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2191-5712 
• Carlos Delclós – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3061-7709 

Topic 2: 

• Margarita León – https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9457-5822 
• Daniel Edmiston – https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8715-654X 
• Ixchel Pérez Duran – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3665-3380 

Topic 3: 

• Eva Ostergaard-Nielsen – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4576-5763 

Topic 4:  

• Antoni Verger – https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3255-7703 

IGOP examines how overlapping social, economic, political and ecological transformations stress welfare systems and democratic governance, generating differentiated patterns of precarity, access to rights and institutional responsiveness. Crises are conceptualised not as isolated and external events, but as interconnected institutional processes unfolding through public action.  

We develop competitive research (promoted by the European Commission with Horizon Europe, by the Government of Spain -several calls from the State Research Agency-, by the Government of the Generalitat of Catalonia as well as by private entities) such as applied research, through agreements or specific assignments with various institutions and entities 

We have a broad research agenda, mostly focused on the analysis of various social problems and public policy responses. 

Our research is grouped under the following thematic sub-axes: 

• Socio-Spatial Inequality and Urban Policies. 
• Social Inequality and Welfare State Reforms. 
• Urban collective action, right to the city and proximity policies. 
• Public administration and citizenship. 

Regular mentoring, structured career support and the sustained arrival of postdoctoral researchers linked to competitive projects (including ERC, MSCA, Horizon Europe and national grants) reinforce both the institute’s internal coherence and its capacity to integrate new talent. A central priority for IGOP is the development of early-career researchers. Doctoral candidates and postdoctoral fellows receive structured mentoring geared toward their consolidation as independent scholars, including support for defining research agendas, drafting and revising manuscripts, presenting work in academic and policy settings and cultivating professional networks. IGOP accompanies doctoral candidates through the final stages of their dissertations and provides guidance for competitive programmes such as Juan de la Cierva, MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships and the Early Career Workshop on Comparative Social and Public Policy (COSPPO), which help consolidating skills and building international research connections. IGOP also encourages active participation in research stays, specialised workshops and methodological training activities, supporting conference participation, international mobility and manuscript preparation. These practices foster rigorous research habits, provide spaces for constructive feedback and strengthen an ethos of continuous learning and collaboration. 

More information: https://igop.uab.cat/en/  

The Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) is a top-tier European university, offering an ideal environment for MSCA fellows to achieve independence and career excellence. 

• World-Class Prestige: Ranked 172nd globally, 71st in Europe and 2nd in Spain (QS World University Rankings 2026). The UAB is consistently among the top 3 universities in Spain.
• Proven Success in MSCA: A highly experienced Host Institution with 30 MSCA-PF projects already awarded under Horizon Europe, ensuring expert knowledge in managing these grants.
• A Unique Campus Experience: Our research is integrated into a single, multidisciplinary campus located 20 km from Barcelona. This fosters cross-sectoral collaboration with nearby research centres and industry.
• Career Development: Holder of the ‘HR Excellence in Research’ award since 2014, the UAB is committed to the European Charter for Researchers and provides a clear framework for professional growth.
• Comprehensive Support:
  • Specialized Grants Office: Expert advice and training during the proposal writing and submission phase.
  • International Support Service (ISS): An official Euraxess Contact Point providing dedicated assistance to incoming researchers and their families (visas, housing, schools, etc).
  • Commitment to Sustainability: Framed within the Healthy and Sustainable Campus Plan (2023-2027).

Applicants must fulfil the MSCA-PF 2026 requirements by the call deadline (09/09/2026): 

• PhD Degree: Must have a PhD at the time of the call deadline. 

• Research Experience: Maximum of 8 years full-time equivalent (FTE) experience in research post-PhD (exceptions apply for career breaks, parental leave or research outside the EU for returning nationals). 

• Mobility Rule: Must not have resided or carried out their main activity in Spain for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline (i.e., between 09/09/2023 and 09/09/2026). 

Interested candidates should send the following documents (in English) to Charlotte Fernandez (IGOP’s research coordinador) charlotte.fernandez@uab.cat by 04/05/2026: 

1. Curriculum Vitae (max. 3 pages), highlighting, projects, awards, and at least 5 most relevant publications.
2. Research Statement / Project Abstract max. 1 page outlining your research idea. 
3. Cover Letter explaining your motivation and how your profile fits the group (max. 1 page). 
4. Names and contacts of at least two referees. 
5. A signed letter certifying that you comply with the MSCA elegibility criteria  

Subject line: MSCA-PF-2026-EoI_[Candidate Surname_Name] 

In case the candidate has been preselected UAB will perform an eligibility check and ask for additional supporting documentation (such as the PhD certificate).