NORPOD is a collaborative postdoctoral program of the Nordic EMBL Partnership for Molecular Medicine. The partnership is a network of four national research centers across the Nordics and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), with complementary research expertise at the forefront of molecular medicine research. With the NORPOD program, the Nordic EMBL Partnership aims to foster the next generation of researchers in molecular medicine by implementing joint postdoctoral research projects to nurture strong competences and research excellence.
More information about the Nordic EMBL Partnership can be found here.
Nordic EMBL Partner Institutes:
- DANDRITE - The Danish Research Institute of Translational Neuroscience at Aarhus University performs basic and translational research in the brain and the nervous system.
- FIMM - The Institute for Molecular Medicine Finland at the University of Helsinki is a translational research institute focusing on human genomics and precision medicine.
- MIMS - The Laboratory for Molecular Infection Medicine at Umeå University performs basic and translational research in molecular infection medicine and is the home of the CRISPR-Cas9 discovery.
- NCMBM - The Norwegian Centre for Molecular Biosciences and Medicine at the University of Oslo conducts cutting-edge research at the intersection of molecular medicine, biosciences, and data science to advance our understanding of fundamental processes in life sciences.
The Nordic EMBL Partnership is seeking postdoctoral fellows for collaborative projects in molecular medicine through the third NORPOD call.
Description
We invite applications for three NORPOD postdoctoral fellowship projects. The projects are offered as collaborations between two Nordic EMBL supervisors (PIs) across the nodes of the Nordic EMBL Partnership. Each project has two supervisors. One supervisor will host the NORPOD Fellow at his/her node’s host university, while collaborating with a co-supervisor from a different Nordic EMBL node.
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.
As a NORPOD Fellow 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 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.
For comprehensive information on the NORPOD program’s all projects, explore the NORPOD program page.
List of NORPOD projects open for application
Project 1: Uncovering convergent chromatin dysregulation in neurodevelopmental disorders with systematic phenotyping of in vitro neurons
Nordic EMBL PIs: Helena Kilpinen (FIMM) and Dong Won Thomas Kim (DANDRITE)
This project explores how mutations in chromatin-modifying genes disrupt early neurodevelopment by systematically profiling in vitro neurons using multimodal single-cell and spatial profiling. By integrating gene expression, chromatin accessibility, cell morphology, and spatial data, we aim to uncover shared regulatory disruptions across neurodevelopmental disorders.
Host institution and employment: FIMM, University of Helsinki, Finland
Collaborating site: DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Denmark
Find all information and apply here.
Project 2: Genetic and adaptive dynamics of microbiome in colorectal cancer: How do microbes adapt to the hostile tumour microenvironment? (ADAPT-MIC)
Nordic EMBL PIs: Rafa Najumudeen (FIMM) and Chinmay Dwibedi (MIMS)
This project aims to identify the spatial genetic and adaptive dynamics of tumour microbiome in colorectal cancer. To do so, we will integrate single-cell genomics, transcriptomics and clinical data using unique novel mouse models, spatial technologies and analytical methods.
Host institution and employment: FIMM, University of Helsinki, Finland
Collaborating site: MIMS, Umeå University, Sweden
Find all information and apply here.
Project 3: Sleep-Driven Maturation of Interneurons and Glia: Spatial Profiling Across Postnatal Development
Nordic EMBL PIs: Charlotte Boccara (NCMBM) and Dong Won Thomas Kim (DANDRITE)
This project will combine the Boccara group’s expertise in in vivo developmental sleep manipulation and freely behaving neural recordings with the Kim group’s spatial transcriptomics and molecular phenotyping platform to dissect how sleep shapes cell-type maturation across postnatal development.
Host institution and employment: NCMBM, University of Oslo, Norway
Collaborating site: DANDRITE, Aarhus University, Denmark
Find all information and apply here.
Selection process and timeline
- 13 June 2025 - 15 August 2025:
Application period open - From closing of application period until end of September 2025:
The PIs of the research project will shortlist top candidates based on all the submitted applications. For each project, the collaborating PIs will plan online lab visits and meetings with top candidates and help them prepare for the interview. - 14 October 2025:
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. NORPOD Fellowships will be awarded based on the recommendation of the selection panel, and expected to start late 2025/early 2026.
Application
Application deadline for all NORPOD projects: 15 August, 2025
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.
With question:
- If your question is related to the scientific project, please reach out to the PIs of the project.
- With questions about the NORPOD program in general, you can reach out to Nóra Lehotai, central coordinator of the NORPOD programme, at [email protected].
Visit the NORPOD program page to learn more about the programme.
We welcome your application!
