Bridging Excellence: a unique transatlantic opportunity for postdocs

The Bridging Excellence Postdoc Program is a joint postdoctoral program between EMBL and the Stanford University School of Medicine (SoM) and the School of Humanities & Sciences (H&S). Ambitious early stage scientists propose high-impact, creative collaborations between at least one lab from the Stanford SoM or H&S, and one lab from EMBL. By leveraging the opportunities at two leading institutions, fellows can gain valuable experience in two distinct research environments and develop a global profile. As well as access to researchers and technology at both sites, fellows can take advantage of the first-rate postdoctoral training opportunities from both institutions.

Successful postdoctoral researchers will be awarded three-year fellowships from the EMBL | Stanford Life Science Alliance. Postdocs will be employed at EMBL for the duration of their fellowship and spend up to one year visiting their collaborators at Stanford University. The visits to Stanford can be distributed throughout the duration of the fellowship (i.e. multiple visits totaling up to 1 year are possible).

The fellowship includes funding for:
• A standard 3 year EMBL stipend
(including family allowances and social security benefits: more information here).
• A contribution towards lab consumables.
• A travel and accommodation supplement for visit(s) to Stanford.
• Funds for attending an international conference.

Bridging Excellence Fellowships are open to all researchers, regardless of nationality, gender, or scientific background.

Postdocs who have held their PhD degree no more than 2 years before the application are eligible for a fellowship. Students who are currently pursuing their PhD are able to apply, provided you have been awarded your PhD before taking up the fellowship.

Applicants must be prepared to be internationally mobile, be driven to create research synergies, conduct high-impact science, and be excited by the prospect of being an ambassador for transatlantic science.

A note on eligibility for postdocs currently employed at EMBL or Stanford:

Postdoctoral fellows and students who have been, or are currently employed at Stanford are able to apply provided they meet the eligibility requirements above.

Postdoctoral fellows who have been, or are currently employed at EMBL are able to apply, provided that acceptance of a 3 year fellowship does not exceed the maximum limit of employment as a postdoctoral fellow at EMBL (5 years). Researchers who are currently completing, or have completed their PhD at EMBL are not eligible.

Applications to the Bridging Excellence Postdoctoral Program are accepted via EMBL’s online recruitment system.

Applicants must develop a proposal together with at least one EMBL Group/Team Leader and one faculty member from the Stanford University School of Medicine, or School of Humanities & Sciences *. Check our our projects page to see examples of collaborations that already exist between EMBL and Stanford. Our members page also lists faculty who would like to collaborate on a joint project (you may also list supervisors who are not members of the Life Science Alliance).

Proposals must describe a creative, high-impact collaboration that builds on the strengths of the two institutions. They must clearly indicate how the project will draw on the expertise or technology available in each lab, as well as their own skills.

To apply for the program:

1. Read the applicant guidelines in detail.
2. Download the application form.
3. Establish contact with potential EMBL and Stanford supervisors.
4. Develop your project proposal.
5. Upload your completed application form and supervisor confirmation letter via TalentLink by the 6th of June 2021 at 11:59pm CEST.
6. Ensure your referees submit a letter of recommendation by the 16th of June 2021.

Applications submitted outside of the EMBL recruitment system will not be reviewed. Proposals that are not submitted using the application form will be considered ineligible and will not be reviewed. You may only submit one application per call.