Call for postdoctoral candidates for a Marie Curie fellowship 2026 (MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship)

19 March 2026

Call for postdoctoral candidates for a Marie Curie fellowship 2026

For a PostDoc in industry at KeyGene

Are you a talented postdoctoral researcher eager to make your mark in the innovative world of plant research? KeyGene, a leader in cutting-edge crop innovations, invites you to jointly apply for an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship. This is your chance to accelerate your career and be part of groundbreaking research that shapes the future of agriculture.

The Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship Program (MSCA-PF) aims to support the career development and training of excellent researchers through international mobility. Researchers with a strong scientific background and a promising research project are invited to reach out to KeyGene. Selected candidates will collaborate closely with the KeyGene team to prepare and submit a successful application to the MSCA-PF program.

Why KeyGene?

As a Marie Curie Fellow at KeyGene, you will be part of an energetic and inclusive team, driven by a passion for scientific discovery and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities. Our global network spans research and business sectors, empowering you to make real-world impact.

Fields of Action

• AI for crop innovation
• Apomixis
• Digital phenotyping
• Gene editing
• Lead gene discovery for disease resistance
• Pan-genomics
• Protein-protein interaction research
• Single-cell genomics technologies
• Systems biology
• Cell & Tissue delivery and regeneration

Your profile

We are looking for candidates who meet the following criteria:

• PhD in relevant fields: plant sciences, functional genomics, molecular & applied genetics, bioinformatics, artificial intelligence, systems biology, etc.
• Proven scientific expertise: demonstrated by high-impact publications and/or patents.
• Innovative vision: strong ideas for R&D in molecular breeding, trait development, technology development, data science, and artificial intelligence.
• Entrepreneurial spirit: ambitious, customer-oriented, and keen on translating R&D into groundbreaking applications.
• Communication skills: strong networking and collaborative abilities.

Who can apply?

• PhD Degree: candidates with a doctoral degree and a maximum of 8 years full-time experience as a postdoctoral researcher.
• Mobility: candidates have worked or resided in the Netherlands for less than 12 months in the 36 months before the call deadline (September 9, 2026).
• MSCA-PF Eligibility: align with Horizon Europe’s criteria (see the Horizon Europe MSCA work programme, from page 80).

What KeyGene Offers

We offer support to the selected candidates in preparing and submitting an MSCA-PF. When the application is granted, you will be offered:

• Temporary employment contract
• Insights into business oriented innovative research: dive into pioneering projects that push the boundaries of science and plant breeding.
• Career development: achieve your personal career goals with robust support and mentorship.

At KeyGene, your research journey is just the beginning of a transformative career in science and innovation.

About the MSCA Post-doctoral Fellowship

MSCA-PF aims to enhance the creative and innovative potential of PhD holders through advanced training and international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral mobility.

About KeyGene

KeyGene is at the forefront of crop innovation to tackle the toughest R&D challenges. Our team of over 120 professionals from over 15 countries around the world collaborates with partners in academia and industry to enhance breeding for sustainability, crop yield and quality in vegetables and other crops.