Summary
The AMBER (Advanced Multiscale Biological Imaging with European Research Infrastructures) programme is recruiting postdoctoral fellows for 3-year research contracts across leading European universities and large-scale research facilities. Co-funded by the European Union’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA COFUND) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), AMBER addresses critical challenges in biological imaging spanning molecular, cellular, tissue, organ, and organism levels. Fellowships provide multidisciplinary training, access to world-class research infrastructures, international networking, and intersectoral secondments.
AMBER Postdoctoral Fellowships in Advanced Multiscale Biological Imaging
Designation
- Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow / AMBER Postdoctoral Fellow
- Contract Duration: 3 Years (Full-Time)
- Funding Framework: EU Horizon Europe – Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA COFUND) & UKRI
Key Information at a Glance
| Attribute | Details |
| Programme | AMBER Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme |
| Total Fellowships | 47 Postdoctoral positions across call rounds |
| Contract Type | 3-Year Fixed-Term Research Contract |
| Coordinating Entity | LINXS Institute of Advanced Neutron and X-ray Science (Lund University) |
| Participating Countries | Sweden, France, Poland, United Kingdom |
| Application Platform | EURAXESS & AMBER Application Portal |
| Application Deadline | August 24, 2026 |
| Expected Start Date | January 1, 2027 |
Research Area
The AMBER programme bridges life sciences, clinical medicine, physical sciences, and facility/infrastructure developments across multiscale biological imaging. Core research areas and methodologies include:
- Scientific Domains: Structural biology, biochemistry, biophysics, cell biology, biomechanics, translational medicine, epidemiology, clinical research, drug discovery & design, bioinformatics, and AI/machine learning for image analysis.
- Techniques & Infrastructures:
- Cryo-Electron Microscopy (Cryo-EM)
- X-ray and Neutron Crystallography
- X-ray and Neutron Tomography
- Optical and Infrared (IR) Microscopy (including fluorescence imaging)
- Solvent and Solid-State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR)
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Mass Spectrometry Imaging (MSI)
Location
Positions are hosted across six primary partner institutions in four countries:
- Sweden: Lund University (including LINXS and MAX IV Laboratory), European Spallation Source (ESS ERIC)
- France: Institut Laue-Langevin (ILL), European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL Grenoble)
- Poland: International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines (IMol), Polish Academy of Sciences
- United Kingdom: University of Leicester
Eligibility / Qualification Criteria
Applicants of any nationality are eligible provided they meet the following MSCA standards:
- Academic Degree: Must hold a PhD degree by the application deadline, or have successfully defended their doctoral thesis prior to the call deadline.
- Experience Limit: A maximum of 8 years of full-time equivalent research experience since the date of PhD award.
- Publication Record: At least one original research publication accepted in a peer-reviewed journal by the application deadline.
- MSCA Mobility Rule: Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the selected host institution for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately preceding the call deadline (exceptions apply for refugee status procedures under the Geneva Convention).
- Availability: Ready and available to begin employment at or near the scheduled fellowship start date (from January 1, 2027).
Job Description
As an AMBER Postdoctoral Fellow, you will:
- Conduct cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research utilizing local, national, and world-class European large-scale radiation/neutron/microscopy facilities.
- Develop and optimize novel multiscale imaging methods, analytical protocols, or computational tools for biomedical applications.
- Participate in intersectoral secondments across academic institutions, clinical hospitals, medtech/biotech companies, and industrial research environments.
- Engage in tailored career development, transferable skills training, mentorship, and high-impact international dissemination.
- Collaborate closely with clinical practitioners, physical scientists, and facility beamline scientists.
How to Apply
- Review Available Projects: Visit the official AMBER Website and the EURAXESS job portal to view open positions, project descriptions, and host-specific guidelines.
- Download Guide for Applicants: Consult the official applicant guide on the AMBER “For Applicants” page for proposal templates and evaluation criteria.
- Prepare Required Documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV) with a full publication list.
- Project proposal aligned with the chosen AMBER host and research themes.
- PhD certificate or official proof of successful thesis defense.
- Letters of reference / contact details for referees.
- Completed MSCA mobility declaration form.
- Submit Application: Complete and submit your application package online via the official AMBER recruitment system / EURAXESS before the closing deadline.
Last Date for Apply
- Application Deadline: August 24, 2026 (23:59 CET)






