EMBL ARISE2 Postdoctoral Fellowship, European Molecular Biology Laboratory

Summary

The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is inviting applications for the ARISE2 postdoctoral fellowship programme. Co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA Grant Agreement No. 101178241), ARISE2 offers STEM researchers a 3-year fellowship to develop cutting-edge technologies and methods for life science research infrastructures (RIs). The programme combines self-designed research projects with structured training in service provision, technology transfer, FAIR data management, and research infrastructure leadership.

ARISE2 Postdoctoral Fellowship: Career Accelerator for Research Infrastructure Scientists

Designation

• Position Title: ARISE2 Postdoctoral Fellow / Research Infrastructure Scientist
• Contract Type: Full-time, Fixed-Term (3 Years)

Programme Overview Table

Research Areas

Fellows pursue self-designed technology or method development projects across diverse interdisciplinary life science fields, including:

• Advanced Imaging & Microscopy: Spatial transcriptomics/genomics, multimodal imaging, high-throughput light imaging.
• Computational Biology, AI & Data Science: Machine learning algorithms, deep learning for protein structure prediction, sequence analysis, open/FAIR data ecosystems.
• Automation, Robotics & High-Throughput Screening: Microbial culturomics, automated strain isolation, biophysical assays.
• Structural Biology & Biophysics: Serial crystallography, time-resolved experiments, fluorescence-based analytical platforms.
• Genomics, Epigenomics & Gene Editing: In-vivo epigenetic editing, delivery platforms (lipid nanoparticles, viral vectors), multi-omics visualization.
• Biomechanical & Tissue Modeling: Agent-based simulation, organoid morphogenetic predictive modeling.

Location

• EMBL Host Sites:
  • Heidelberg, Germany (Main Laboratory)
  • Hinxton / Cambridge, UK (EMBL-EBI)
  • Barcelona, Spain
  • Grenoble, France
  • Hamburg, Germany
  • Rome, Italy
• Secondment Locations: Leading European research infrastructure partner institutions (e.g., SciLifeLab and other academic/industrial partners).

Eligibility & Qualifications

• Academic Degree: Applicants must hold a Ph.D. at the time of the call deadline (or have successfully defended their doctoral thesis prior to the deadline).
• Field & Background: Degree and track record in a relevant STEM discipline (Life Sciences, Physics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Data Science, etc.) with demonstrated experience in method or technology development.
• Mobility / Affiliation Rules: Open to researchers of all nationalities. Prior association with EMBL (including visitor contracts or previous employment) must not exceed 12 months in the 3 years immediately preceding the call deadline.
• Fellowship Take-up: Successful candidates must take up their fellowship within 4 months of recruitment.
• Ethical Standards: Project proposals must comply with Horizon Europe ethics principles and include a completed ethics self-assessment.

Job Description & Responsibilities

1. Independent Technology Development:
   • Lead a 3-year self-designed project focused on developing or improving technologies, instruments, or computational methods applicable across life sciences.
   • Formulate and maintain a project Data Management Plan following EMBL Open Science Policy and FAIR/Open data principles.
2. Service Provision & Practical Experience:
   • Gain practical exposure to research infrastructure operations through optional service delivery (up to 10 days/year) and user shadowing.
   • Implement pilot service provision and test developed technologies on collaborative research projects.
3. Secondments & Intersectoral Visits:
   • Undertake a research-supporting external secondment (2 to 6 months, expandable up to 11 months for collaborative projects) with an ARISE2 partner organization.
   • Participate in career-supporting visits, including interdisciplinary facility exchanges and job shadowing.
4. Professional Competencies & Leadership Training:
   • Complete the core ARISE curriculum covering RI management, costing/budgeting, public engagement/science communication, technology transfer, and entrepreneurship.
   • Attend the dedicated 1-week ARISE2 School during the second year of the fellowship.
5. Career Development Planning:
   • Create and maintain an individualized Career Development Plan (CDP) guided by EMBL Career Advisors and the ARISE Competency Framework.

How to Apply

1. Review Guidelines: Read the official ARISE2 Guide for Applicants and eligibility guidelines available on the EMBL ARISE2 portal.
2. Identify & Contact Hosts: Identify EMBL group leaders/participating hosts aligned with your research focus and contact them to discuss your project proposal idea.
3. Prepare Project Proposal: Complete the standardized ARISE2 Project Proposal Template, including the project plan, Research Infrastructure integration potential, FAIR data management considerations, and the Horizon Europe ethics self-assessment.
4. Prepare Application Form: Fill out the formal ARISE2 Application Form.
5. Submit Online:
   • Combine the completed Application Form and Project Proposal into a single PDF.
   • Upload the combined PDF via the EMBL online recruitment portal under the CV and Cover Letter section.
6. Submit References: Provide referee details via the application system (at least 1 reference is mandatory; up to 3 references accepted before the deadline).

For inquiries, contact: arise2@embl.org

Last Date to Apply

• Application & Reference Submission Deadline: September 30 (23:59 CEST)

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