A 3-year postdoctoral fellowship at one of Europe’s leading life-science research institutions—with a salary, social security, health insurance, pension, research training, international secondments and career development support.
The EMBL ARISE2 Postdoctoral Fellowship is currently accepting applications from researchers worldwide with STEM backgrounds who want to develop technologies and methods for life-science research while building a career in research infrastructures.
The programme is hosted by the European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) and funded through the European Union’s Horizon Europe Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions. Fellows receive three-year employment contracts as EMBL Postdoctoral Fellows.
Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Opportunity Type | Fully Supported Postdoctoral Fellowship |
| Programme | ARISE2 |
| Host Organisation | European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) |
| Location | Multiple EMBL sites across Europe |
| Research Areas | Technology development, AI, machine learning, data science, bioinformatics, imaging, biotechnology, robotics and other life-science technologies |
| Degree Requirement | PhD |
| Nationality | Worldwide |
| Duration | 3 years |
| Funding Status | Fully supported employment-based fellowship |
| Salary | Monthly salary based on EMBL duty site, with annual increases |
| Health Insurance | Included through social security |
| Pension | Included |
| Unemployment Insurance | Included |
| Research Support | Research project, secondments and visits |
| Travel Support | Funds available for secondments and conferences |
| Career Development | Included |
| Age Requirement | Not specified |
| Work Experience | Relevant experience in technology or method development required |
| Application Fee | Not specified |
| Application Deadline | 30 September 2026 |
| Interviews | 25–27 November 2026 |
| Expected Start | 1 January 2027 or within four months of award |
About the ARISE2 Fellowship
ARISE2 is designed for researchers who want to move beyond conventional postdoctoral research and develop technologies, methods and services that support the wider life-science research community.
The programme combines research with professional training in research infrastructure management, data science, service provision, technology transfer, entrepreneurship, project management, communication and leadership.
Fellows design their own research projects around the development or improvement of technologies that can be applied to life-science research.
Research Areas
ARISE2 includes opportunities involving:
- Artificial intelligence
- Machine learning
- Data science
- Bioinformatics
- Computational modelling
- Software development
- Imaging
- Optical engineering
- Robotics
- Microfluidics
- Structural biology
- Biotechnology
- Scientific instrumentation
- Data management
- Research infrastructure technologies
EMBL’s current participating groups include projects involving AI/ML, computational biology, imaging, automated systems and AI-ready biological data.
Financial Support
ARISE2 fellows receive an employment contract with EMBL for three years.
The official EMBL information confirms:
- Competitive monthly salary based on duty site
- Annual salary increases
- Health insurance
- Pension scheme
- Accident-at-work insurance
- Unemployment insurance
- Family and child allowances where applicable
- Funds supporting travel to partner organisations and conferences
- Visa/work-permit assistance
- Career support
- Professional training
- International secondments
The exact salary amount for the 2026 call is Not specified on the current programme page.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants should have experience in technology or method development, either in academia or the non-academic sector, relevant to EMBL research infrastructures and services.
Applicants must hold a PhD by the call deadline. Researchers who have successfully defended their thesis but have not yet formally received the degree may also be eligible.
Nationality
The programme is open to researchers from around the world.
Degree Requirement
A PhD is required by the application deadline, subject to the programme’s rules for candidates who have successfully defended but are awaiting formal degree award.
Work Experience
Applicants should demonstrate relevant prior experience in technology or method development.
The current official call does not specify a universal number of years of work experience.
Duration
3 years
Fellowships are scheduled to begin on 1 January 2027, or within four months of the award.
Application Deadline
30 September 2026
The official EMBL page lists the 2026 call closing date as 30 September 2026. References must also be received by the call deadline.
How to Apply
- Review the official ARISE2 programme requirements.
- Explore the participating EMBL host groups.
- Develop a technology/method-development project proposal.
- Complete the official application form and project template.
- Complete the required Horizon Europe ethics self-evaluation.
- Arrange references.
- Combine the required application materials as instructed.
- Submit through the EMBL online application system.
- If shortlisted, participate in the November 2026 interview process.
Important Things to Know
- This is not a conventional fixed-project postdoc.
- Fellows develop their own technology-focused research project.
- The programme is particularly interesting for researchers working at the intersection of AI, data science and biology.
- Fellows receive professional training in research-infrastructure leadership.
- Secondments can provide experience in both academic and non-academic organisations.
- The program is highly competitive.
Why This Opportunity Matters
ARISE2 is more than a postdoctoral research position. It is designed to build the next generation of research-infrastructure scientists, technology developers and scientific leaders, with training spanning AI, data, entrepreneurship, management and technology development.
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