Open Idea Competition
The Open Idea program comprises a total of eight postdoctoral positions advertised in four calls (2026 – 2029) with two positions each to start in years 2027 to 2030.
We are particularly committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in science. Six of the eight positions will be specifically reserved for researchers from our equity and diversity target groups (women, international researchers, first-generation academics). This initiative reflects our belief that diverse perspectives are essential for transformative research and innovation. By supporting early-career researchers from under-represented groups, we aim to create a more inclusive scientific ecosystem and ensure that the next generation of research leaders reflects the global diversity of talent.
We are looking for dynamic and open-minded personalities who enjoy conducting cutting-edge research in an interdisciplinary, international, and diverse team. We welcome applications from R21 researchers of all disciplines who have completed their PhD (or will have completed it before the start of the position). Candidates from all countries are encouraged to apply.
[1] Recognized Researchers (R2) according to the EURAXXES research profile descriptors see https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/. For the purposes of the program, you are no longer in an early career phase if you have already carried out projects under your own responsibility, have managed staff or have led a junior research group.
Your main responsibilities will include
We seek bold, original, and interdisciplinary research proposals that push the boundaries of knowledge. The Cluster welcomes projects that:
- Address fundamental questions and contribute to the long-term vision of The Martian Mindset
- Substantially extend the research conducted by the Cluster and the host’s group
- Integrate perspectives across disciplines
- Explore novel methodologies or challenge established paradigms.
Your convincing 3-year research program should demonstrate scientific originality, methodological rigor, feasibility, and potential for high-impact outcomes.
Requirements
Key Criteria are:
- PhD degree (or proof of imminent completion) in any field relevant to The Martian Mindset
- Academic excellence (e.g. outstanding dissertation, prizes, awards, high-impact publications …)
- Eagerness to contribute to a sustainable human exploration of space and to a green transition on Earth
- Convincing 3-year research program (see above, main responsibilities)
- Support from a host from one of the participating institutions (see below)
- Proficiency in English (written and spoken); German language skills are not required but are beneficial.
Host
The successful candidates are expected to carry out their research independently and will become project leaders in the Cluster. They will be hosted by an experienced researcher (R3-R42) from the University of Bremen or one of the Cluster’s participating institutions, who will also become a project leader in the Cluster if they are not already. The hosts need to provide a letter of support which confirms the availability of research facilities and explains how the proposed project substantially extends both the Cluster’s research and that of the host’s own research group. There must be no overlap with current research topics of the Cluster.
[2] Established (R3) or leading (R4) researchers according to EURAXXES research profile descriptors https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/.
We offer
Career Impact: Your Future, Our Commitment
These positions are designed not only to advance groundbreaking research but also to accelerate the career development of early-career researchers. As a postdoctoral researcher in The Martian Mindset, you will:
- Lead an independent research project with full scientific and budgetary autonomy.
- Receive personalized mentoring and career coaching.
- Gain experience in grant writing, team leadership, and public engagement.
- Benefit from integration into a vibrant, interdisciplinary research community.
- Get access to state-of-the-art, unique research infrastructure.
- Be supported in preparing applications for professorships, fellowships, and positions.
We are committed to nurturing the next generation of scientific leaders — especially those from underrepresented groups — and ensuring that your time in Bremen becomes a pivotal step toward a sustained academic career.
Funding and employment
The grant will include funding for the own postdoctoral position: up to 36 month, TVL 14, full-time (part-time work is generally possible), a basic yearly budget of 10.000 € for travel, student assistants, and consumables. In addition, it is possible to apply for additional funding for project specific expenditures and instrumentation necessary to carry out the project.
A condition of employment is that a temporary employment of three years is possible according to the German law on limited-duration employment contracts in science (§2 WissZeitVG). This will be examined by the universities’ human resources department on a case-by-case basis.
Application Process and Timline
Do you have any questions?
For general questions about the selection procedure or potential hosts, we warmly invite you to contact our recruiting team via email: martianmindset.applicationsprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de.
More information about the Cluster’s research foci and project leaders, the qualification concept, as well as the participating institutions is available on the website: www.mars.uni-bremen.de.
Application
Applications must be submitted in English by July 31st, 2026. Please send your application by unencrypted email, quoting reference number A109-26 to: martianmindset.applicationsprotect me ?!uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
If you would like to send your application by post, please contact our recruiting team in advance by email (see above).
Application documents
Please create one pdf file according to the guideline (template available online: WORD) and consisting of parts A to D. Part E and F must be submitted separately:
A. Cover page with basic information
B. Research Outline (5 pages)
C. Appendix to the Research Outline
- Relevance of the project to ongoing academic and career plans
- Contribution to The Martian Mindset
- Rationale for selection of the host
- Handling of Research Data
- Supplementary information on the research context
D. Attachments
- Academic curriculum vitae (up to 4 pages), without a picture
- List of up to five key publications including impact, relevance, and own contribution (up to 2 pages)
- Supporting letter from a host of one of the participating institutions
- Agreement signed by candidate and the host (download template)
- Declarations on other submissions, use of AI, data protection
E. List of up to five potential reviewers to be submitted as a separate document
F. Two expert assessments are to be submitted separately by the assessors. One of them should be your PhD supervisor.
Short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview in September including a public talk, usually taking place on the campus of the University of Bremen. The final decision is expected in October 2026.
If you choose to apply and send us your documents, you do so voluntarily. Any personal data contained within your documents, or obtained during the selection procedure, will be processed by the participating institutions exclusively for the purposes of the selection process. This explicitly includes passing on the information to the respective hosts, reviewers, and selection committees.