Offer Description
BEYOND is a Postdoctoral Programme designed to train a new generation of intersectoral professionals capable of accelerating the development of Advanced Therapy Medicinal Products (ATMPs), innovative treatments which are reshaping healthcare. Coordinated by Fondazione Telethon (FTELE) - a leading non-profit organization in translational research - the programme will recruit 35 postdoctoral researchers via a rigorous and transparent process, through two competitive calls, offering three-year fellowships designed to provide high-level, interdisciplinary and intersectoral training experience in the field. Of the 35 BEYOND Fellowships, about half will be available in 2026, while the remainder will open in May 2027 (date TBC).
The Programme addresses a critical gap in Europe’s innovation landscape: the need for professionals who possess a holistic understanding of the full ATMP development continuum - from fundamental research through clinical translation, regulatory approval, industrial manufacturing, and patient access. This comprehensive perspective is rarely addressed in conventional academic training, which often remains siloed and narrowly focused on science. The need is especially urgent at the postdoctoral level, where structured, career-oriented training opportunities are typically lacking. BEYOND stands out by combining cutting-edge fundamental research with immersive experiences across all phases of the translational pathway, engaging key stakeholders such as biotech and pharmaceutical companies, regulatory affairs professionals, development facilities, and healthcare institutions.
Specific objectives of BEYOND are:
- To train scientists with a well-rounded, translational mindset that empowers them to drive therapeutic innovation and unlock diverse career opportunities within and beyond academia;
- To consolidate a European intersectoral framework for ATMP education, overcoming the traditional academia-industry dichotomy.
Where to apply
Website https://www.beyond-cofund.eu/
Requirements
Research Field Biological sciences » Biology
Education Level PhD or equivalent
Languages ENGLISH
Level Excellent
Additional Information
Benefits
BEYOND Fellows will be hired under full-time employment contracts of 36 months, providing full social security coverage in the host countries.
Of the 35 positions, 10 are hosted at the San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy, 10 at the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, 6 at the Lund Stem Cell Center, 5 at the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute and 4 at the National Institute of Chemistry. Of the 35 BEYOND Fellowships, about half will be available in 2026, while the remainder will open in May 2027 (date TBC). Employment conditions are aligned with the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for their recruitment and ensure equal treatment for all Fellows in compliance with national laws and institutional regulations. Contracts will clearly define rights and obligations, and local HR services will support Fellows with administrative and relocation procedures. Recruited researchers will be fully integrated into their host research groups, with access to all relevant services and infrastructures.
BEYOND Fellows will receive a monthly gross salary composed of
1. A living allowance, which will differ across countries to comply with applicable national laws and institutional regulations (see details in the Guide for Applicants that can be found under the "Application Materials" here)
2. A mobility allowance of €500 (included in the salary) designed to contribute towards travel expenses and accommodation costs, ensuring that researchers can comfortably transition to their new environment.
3. Researchers with family responsibilities will be eligible for an additional monthly family allowance, assessed at the time of recruitment and subject to adjustment if their family status changes during the Fellowship.
National statutory deductions will apply to these amounts, ensuring compliance with local regulations.
Eligibility criteria
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Must hold a PhD in a relevant discipline (e.g. biomedical sciences, molecular biology, bioengineering, immunology, bioinformatics). Applicants must hold a doctoral degree by the call deadline. Researchers who have successfully defended their PhD but have not yet formally received the degree are also eligible. A medical degree is accepted where it is equivalent to a doctoral degree, or where the applicant can demonstrate appointment in a position requiring doctoral equivalency.
- Should not have more than 4 years of full-time equivalent postdoctoral research experience at the time of the call deadline (career breaks and equivalent exceptions are considered when properly documented).
- Demonstrated research experience in areas relevant to the programme.
- At least one experimental manuscript published or accepted in a peer reviewed journal as first (or co-first) author. Pre-print manuscripts will also be considered. Predatory journals will not be accepted.
- Compulsory mobility, in line with MSCA COFUND guidelines. Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the hosting country for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately preceding the call deadline.
- Evidence of English proficiency, which will be assessed during the online interview for those applicants reaching that evaluation stage.
Selection process
The selection process is structured as follows, with different Selection Committees involved in the different stages:
1. Eligibility check
2. On paper evaluation
3. Online interview
4. Final ranking
For a complete description of the selection process, refer to the Guide for Applicants available at this link under "Application Materials"
Additional comments
Applications are submitted through the BEYOND website through a secure online platform, in full compliance with GDPR regulations.
Website for additional job details
https://www.beyond-cofund.eu/
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available 10
Company/Institute San Raffaele Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy
Country Italy
City Milan
Postal Code 20132
Street Via Olgettina 60
Number of offers available 10
Company/Institute Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine
Country Italy
City Pozzuoli, Naples
Postal Code 80078
Street Via Campi Flegrei, 34
Number of offers available 6
Company/Institute Lund Stem Cell Center
Country Sweden
City Lund
Postal Code SE-221 84
Street Sölvegatan 19
Number of offers available 5
Company/Institute Cambridge Stem Cell Institute
Country United Kingdom
City Cambridge
Postal Code CB2 0AW
Street Puddicombe Way
Number of offers available 4
Company/Institute National Institute of Chemistry
Country Slovenia
City Ljubljana
Postal Code SI-1001
Street Hajdrihova 19, p.p. 660
