14 Postdoctoral Fellowships to the BRIDGE – Translational Excellence Programme at University of Copenhagen – Denmark

Summary

The BRIDGE – Translational Excellence Programme at the University of Copenhagen invites 14 postdoctoral fellows to start on 1 September 2027. Fellows will work on early‑stage translational research (T0‑T1, optional T2) in collaboration with a basic biomedical mentor and a clinical or industry mentor. The two‑year full‑time position offers a salary and pension according to the Danish collective agreement, a 55‑day academic curriculum, a mandatory boot camp, and no teaching duties. Applicants must hold an MD + PhD or an MSc + PhD, have obtained their PhD within eight years, and have no more than two years of prior postdoc experience at the university. Applications close on 9 February 2027.

Key Facts

Position Type	Postdoctoral Fellow
Discipline	Translational Medicine
Research Area	Translational medicine
Degree Required	MD and PhD or MSc and PhD
Experience	Up to two years of postdoctoral experience at University of Copenhagen
Salary	According to collective agreement between AC and Ministry of Finance
Funding	Salary per collective agreement
Contract Duration	Two years
Deadline	2027-02-09
Required Documents	Project description, Project abstract and CV, Supplementary documents
Employer Contact	[email protected]

About the Project

Fellows will conduct translational research covering early stages from disease modelling and omics (T0) to biomarker discovery, target and pre‑clinical development (T1), with optional early clinical phases (T2). Projects are co‑designed with a mentor team that bridges basic biomedical science, clinical science, and the life‑science industry, aiming to address a relevant medical challenge within a two‑year timeframe.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent translational research covering T0‑T1 (and optional T2) stages
• Spend 80 % of time on the research project under mentor supervision
• Participate in the mandatory 55‑day Academic Curriculum and two‑day Boot Camp
• Collaborate with basic, clinical and industry mentors across institutions
• No teaching obligations are imposed during the fellowship

Required Skills

• Experience in project management and supervision of junior researchers
• Excellent interpersonal, leadership and communication abilities
• Ability to design and execute interdisciplinary translational projects

Who Should Apply

Early‑career researchers who hold an MD and PhD or an MSc and PhD, have completed their doctorate within the last eight years, and have up to two years of postdoctoral experience at the University of Copenhagen. Candidates must be able to design a translational research project and collaborate with a basic, clinical and/or industry mentor team.

Benefits

• Salary, pension and employment terms follow the Danish collective agreement
• Travel and accommodation costs reimbursed for interview candidates
• Access to a 55‑day Academic Curriculum covering research management, ethics and grant writing
• Mandatory Boot Camp and networking events with other BRIDGE fellows

About the Employer

The University of Copenhagen runs the BRIDGE – Translational Excellence Programme, funded by the Novo Nordisk Foundation. The programme aims to train postdoctoral researchers to bridge basic biomedical research, clinical practice and the life‑science industry, offering a clear career path in translational medicine.

Frequently Asked Questions

When does the fellowship start?

The start date is 1 September 2027.

What is the contract length?

The appointment is full‑time for two years.

How is the salary determined?

Salary, pension and terms follow the collective agreement between AC and the Ministry of Finance.

Are fellows required to teach?

No teaching obligations are imposed during the fellowship.

What documents must be submitted?

Applicants must submit a project description, a project abstract and CV, and supplementary documents through the online portal by the deadline.