NORPOD - Postdoctoral Researcher Programme

WHAT IS NORPOD?

The NordForsk-funded NORPOD program of the Nordic EMBL Partnership aims to nurture the next generation of scientists whilst promoting research collaborations in molecular medicine across the Nordics and beyond for human health. The four Nordic EMBL nodes work in partnership with the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and its sites throughout Europe thus, encouraging competence building and engagement with its research networks. 

The NORPOD program connects our three cross-cutting research themes to address major challenges in health and medicine in Nordic societies: 

  • Precision medicine

  • From microbes to infection genomics

  • Neuroscience—from genes and circuits to disease mechanisms and interventions.

With NORPOD, the Partnership aims to develop exciting cross-disciplinary projects and collaborations to train and mentor future scientists in molecular medicine. By strengthening translational research in precision and personalized medicine, the program will benefit healthcare through cross-sector innovation, from the clinic to industry.

WHY JOIN AS A NORPOD FELLOW?

  • You will develop a collaborative project under the supervision of two Nordic EMBL PIs at two different sites. 

  • You will obtain a 30-month full-time postdoctoral employment at the institution of the hosting supervisor. 

  • You will travel for short or long-term stays to the collaborating supervisor's lab to promote collaboration and carry out parts of the research project. 

  • You will gain access to state-of-the-art core facilities and platforms available in the wider network of the Nordic EMBL Partnership. 

  • You will also participate and contribute to strengthening your personal and professional development. 

  • You will advance the goals of the Nordic EMBL Partnership by fostering synergies and research excellence.  

WHO CAN I WORK WITH?

Esa Pitkänen

Cancer Genetics Group Leader,FIMM, Helsinki

Laura Carroll

Clinical Microbiology Group Leader MIMS Umeå

Thomas Kim

Neuroscientist Group Leader, DANDRITE, Aarhus

Emma Haapaniemi

Precision Medicine Group Leader, NCMM, Oslo

Anna Mathia Klawonn

Neuroscientist Group Leader, DANDRITE, Aarhus

Ryo Morimoto

Immune system evolution group leader MIMS, Umeå

Nina Mars

Clinical Genomics Group Leader FIMM Helsinki

Charlotte Boccara

Neuroscientist Group Leader,
NCMM, Oslo

Chinmay Dwibedi

Microbial Genomics Group Leader, MIMS, Umeå

Mika Kontro

Clinical hematology group leader FIMM Helsinki

Taro Kitazawa

Neuroscientist Group Leader, DANDRITE, Aarhus

Lassi Paavolainen

Cancer Group Leader, FIMM, Helsinki

Gilles Vanwalleghem

Neuroscientist group leader, DANDRITE, Aarhus

Chao Sun

Neuroscientist group leader, DANDRITE, Aarhus

Ellen Bushell

Malaria Group Leader,
MIMS, Umeå

Helena Kilpinen

Human Geneticist Group Leader, FIMM, Helsinki

Arafath (Rafa) Najumudeen

Cancer Group Leader, FIMM, Helsinki

Anniina Färkkilä

Systems Medicine of Tumor Microenvironment, FIMM, Helsinki

Iker Aramburu

Precision Medicine Group Leader, MIMS, Umeå

André Mateus

Proteomics and the microbiome grou leader, MIMS, Umeå

Lars-Anders Carlson

Viruses and Membranes Group Leader, MIMS, Umeå

Andrea Ganna

Health Data Science group leader, FIMM, Helsinki

Simone Rubinacci

Statistical Genomics Group Leader,FIMM, Helsinki

Hanna Ollila

Genetic Epidemiology Group Leader, FIMM, Helsinki

Biswajyoti Sahu

Cancer Genetics Group Leader, NCMM, Oslo

Barbara Sixt

Clinical Genomics Group Leader, MIMS, Umeå

HOW TO APPLY

To apply for one of the NORPOD projects:

  • Select the project of interest and proceed by following the link under "Find all info and apply".

  • This link will direct you to the specific job ad for the research project, describing all details, such as eligibility criteria, required skills, salary information, and more.  

At NORPOD, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where every individual is valued and respected. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to join our team and help us build an inclusive culture.

We welcome your application!

TIMELINE & SELECTION PROCESS

  • 13 June 2025 - 15 August 2025:
    Application period open 

  • 15 August-26 September 2025:
    The PIs of the research project will shortlist top candidates based on all the submitted applications. For each project, the collaborating PIs may plan in-person/online lab visit and meeting with the top candidates.  
    Top candidates will be invited for an online interview conducted by an independent NORPOD selection panel where they will also be given the opportunity to pitch their project plan.

  • 14 October: Interviews
    NORPOD Fellowships will be awarded based on the recommendation of the selection panel, and expected to start late 2025/early 2026. 

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The NORPOD-programme is supported by NordForsk, that provides funding for and facilitates Nordic cooperation on research and research infrastructure.

WHO CAN I CONTACT?

With questions related to the projects, contact the host and co-PI. 
For more general questions about the programme, contact:

Saba Parween
Science Manager, MIMS, Umeå
Mail: saba.parween@umu.se
 

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES

Activity Timepoint Coordinating node Location & Information
Grant writing course Ongoing All nodes Each node coordinator shares local opportunities
EDI workshop 10-11 November 2025 NCMBM: Elizabeth Smethurst 1.5-day workshop
From Research to Reach: Science Communications for Early-Career Researchers 25-26 November 2025 DANDRITE: Rikke Lindhard On-site 2-days course
Leadership Workshop (mandatory for NORPOD fellows) Spring 2026 A working group with representatives from each node will plan and design the workshop with external company. A flagship workshop, mandatory for NORPOD fellows, (on-site)
Patient Engagement Workshop 2026 FIMM/NCMBM On-site
Supervision Course 2026 DANDRITE: Astrid Munk On-site
Visual Communications course 2027 FIMM Online
AI tools for research 2027 tba NORPOD-fellows may have the opportunity to contribute

LINKS

From Research to Reach: Science Communications Workshop