MSCA BUG-ID 15 PhD Positions 2026: Applications Closed

MSCA BUG-ID PhD Positions 2026: Current Status

What Is the BUG-ID Doctoral Network?

BUG-ID stands for Biosensors Using Graphene for Infection Diagnostics. The network is designed to develop new diagnostic technologies for rapid and accurate detection of bacterial infections using graphene-based biosensors.

The official BUG-ID project describes a consortium combining seven European universities, one research institute, one hospital and six private companies. The network brings together expertise spanning nanotechnology, materials science, molecular microbiology, biochemistry, infection medicine and AI-based data analysis.

Distribution of the 15 Doctoral Candidate Positions

The 15 positions were distributed across multiple European beneficiaries rather than being located entirely at DTU.

Research Scope

BUG-ID aims to combine biological recognition, graphene sensing and advanced data analysis to improve bacterial infection diagnostics. According to the European Commission project description, the network’s research includes:

• identification of suitable infection biomarkers;
• structural engineering of bioreceptors;
• functionalisation of graphene sensors for integration with bioreceptors;
• miniaturisation and optimisation of sensor technologies;
• molecular microbiology and biochemistry;
• infection medicine;
• nanotechnology and materials science; and
• machine learning and explainable AI for signal readout and analysis.

Eligibility for the 2026 Recruitment

The published BUG-ID / EURAXESS call stated that applicants:

• could be of any nationality;
• needed a diploma giving access to doctoral studies, typically a Master’s degree or equivalent, or had to obtain it before employment began;
• needed sufficiently strong written and spoken English to benefit from the network training; and
• had to comply with the MSCA mobility rule for the specific country of the recruiting host institution.

MSCA Mobility Rule

At the time of recruitment by the host beneficiary, a Doctoral Candidate must not have resided or carried out their main activity — such as work or study — in the country of that host for more than 12 months during the three years immediately before appointment.

Funding, Salary and Employment Conditions

The 15 positions were funded under Horizon Europe’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. The published call states that successful candidates receive an MSCA-compliant salary package.

Doctoral Training, Secondments and Career Development

BUG-ID is structured as a networked doctoral-training programme rather than a collection of unrelated PhD vacancies. The official recruitment material states that Doctoral Candidates receive:

• a personalised Career Development Plan;
• continuing education and structured network training;
• international and/or intersectoral secondments;
• training and networking events across the BUG-ID consortium; and
• exposure to academic, healthcare and private-sector research environments.

This structure is central to MSCA Doctoral Networks: the research project is combined with mobility, interdisciplinary training and exposure beyond the primary host laboratory.

How the 2026 Application Process Worked

1. Applicants reviewed the umbrella BUG-ID recruitment and identified the Doctoral Candidate project matching their background.
2. They opened the specific host-institution vacancy linked from the BUG-ID / EURAXESS listing.
3. They checked the project-specific academic requirements and the MSCA mobility rule for that host country.
4. They prepared the documents requested by the relevant host institution.
5. Applications were submitted through the individual institution’s recruitment route before the applicable deadline.

CareerAidHub Applicant Guidance

The following is CareerAidHub guidance, not additional BUG-ID or MSCA eligibility criteria.

• Use the host-specific vacancy: MSCA network positions may share an umbrella deadline, but employment terms and scientific criteria are controlled by the recruiting beneficiary.
• Calculate mobility precisely: review your residence, employment and study history against the relevant host country for the three years before the intended appointment.
• Match the scientific project, not only the network title: a microbiology profile, materials profile and AI profile may fit different Doctoral Candidate projects within the same network.
• Separate salary from scholarship language: these were employment-style MSCA doctoral contracts, not a single flat scholarship stipend.
• Show interdisciplinary readiness: BUG-ID integrates biology, graphene/materials science, diagnostics and data analysis, so experience across interfaces can be valuable where relevant to the project.
• For future MSCA Doctoral Network calls: monitor EURAXESS and the project’s official vacancies page rather than relying on expired third-party listings.