At IMDEA Materials Institute, Dr. JoAnn Ballor is leading the UTIFE project, exploring ultrafine eutectic Ti–Fe alloys for next-generation metal 3D printing.

This cutting-edge research with applications in aerospace and beyond has been possible thanks to a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowship programme.

IMDEA Materials launches ATENEA MSCA-Cofund

“This MSCA PF has given me opportunities I could never have achieved alone,” she says. “Beamline experiments, specialised SLM training, and collaborations across Europe, all of it accelerated my growth in ways I didn’t expect.”

Her project has included a six-month secondment at German Aerospace Center (DLR), and participation in advanced synchrotron radiography and tomography experiments. Equally important, it helped her build an international network of collaborators across additive manufacturing.

For researchers considering an MSCA or COFUND call, her advice is simple.

“Take the opportunity. If you’re sitting on the fence, or unsure about applying or moving countries, just jump in. The creativity, community and possibilities are worth it.”

With the launch of ATENEA, our new MSCA-COFUND programme offering 10 fully funded postdoctoral positions, Dr. Ballor’s experience shows how these fellowships can broaden a researcher’s horizons, professionally, geographically and scientifically.

Learn more about ATENEA COFUND here.