PRISM MSCA-Funded PhD Fellowships at Paris Sciences & Lettres University ESPCI Paris in France

PRISM (PhD Research Programme for International Training in Sustainable Soft Matter) at Paris Sciences & Lettres University is offering up to 14 fully funded PhD fellowships for an ambitious international cohort of doctoral researchers. The programme is hosted by ESPCI Paris and co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe MSCA COFUND, with a start date of 1 March 2027.

The call is designed for candidates interested in sustainable soft matter science and its role in ecological transition. Research topics span eco-friendly chemical processes, circular economy approaches, renewable energies, and carbon capture, storage, and valorisation. The projects are intentionally interdisciplinary and connect soft matter with microfluidics, chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, and related engineering areas.

PRISM is structured around four scientific themes: development of eco-friendly chemical processes; building a circular economy; innovative concepts for renewable energy; and carbon capture, storage, and valorisation. The programme also offers interdisciplinary, international, and intersectoral training, including mobility opportunities, secondments, and courses in sustainability, innovation, entrepreneurship, career development, and transferable skills.

Funding is strong and explicit: doctoral candidates receive an approximate net monthly salary of €2,200, with additional family and mobility allowances for eligible fellows. All PRISM doctoral candidates will be employed by ESPCI Paris, regardless of the host laboratory in which they carry out their research. The programme also highlights a range of employer benefits, including access to professional development activities, well-being support, sports and leisure facilities, and support for sustainable mobility.

Eligibility is clearly defined. Applicants must hold a Master’s degree or equivalent/postgraduate degree that formally allows them to begin a doctorate. Candidates who already hold a doctoral degree are not eligible. For applicants from non-English-speaking countries, a minimum English level of C1 is required; French is not required. The project follows the MSCA mobility rule, so candidates must not have lived or conducted their main activity in France for more than 12 months in the three years immediately before the deadline.

Applications must be submitted in English via the PRISM website by 31 October 2026 at 23:59 Paris time. Applicants are encouraged to contact project supervisors before applying to discuss the research topics and how the doctoral project can be developed collaboratively. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a videoconference interview with a presentation on their motivation, experience, and understanding of the chosen project, followed by questions from the committee.