The next registration deadline is 31st January 2024 (Danish Data Science)

The QGG Young Researchers Support Scheme was created to help talented young researchers become future research leaders. The scheme is primarily aimed at researchers 1-5 years post PhD, who are capable of leading high-level, independent research projects within human, animal or plant genetics.

Overview of scheme

The QGG Young Researchers Support Scheme will assist selected researchers applying for one of four fellowships (see list below). These fellowships are primarily designed for young researchers, currently based outside of Denmark, who are willing to move to Denmark to start their own research group.

Benefits to the researcher

• These fellowships enable research freedom. They allow the young researcher time (2-5 years) to work on their own research ideas.
• These fellowships are highly prestigious, and represent a major step towards securing a permanent (i.e., tenured) academic position.
• The researcher will receive bespoke assistance with both scientific and logistical aspects of the fellowship application.
• QGG will pay for the researcher to visit QGG, allowing them to meet potential collaborators and mentors.
• Denmark is consistently ranked top for work environment, and provides researchers with generous salaries (see https://international.au.dk/life).

Support offered by QGG

While the young researcher is expected to lead the application, QGG will assist with all steps of the application process.

• QGG will assign the researcher a suitable mentor (a senior researcher at QGG with overlapping research interests). This mentor will provide scientific feedback and guidance. See the QGG Research Pages for more details on our expertise.
• QGG research support office will provide feedback with application drafts, and provide examples of successful applications.
• QGG will take care of the logistical aspects of the application (e.g., preparing the budget and obtaining letters of support from the head of department).

List of fellowships:

The QGG Young Researchers Support Scheme currently supports applications to the following four fellowships. Here is a summary of each fellowship (click the corresponding links for more information).

Please note that the deadline to register for the QGG Young Researchers Support Scheme is approximately two months before the deadline for the targeted fellowship.

1 - Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowship

Maximum duration: 3 years
Age requirement: less than 8 years post PhD
Research: Supports ALL research areas
Previous deadline: 13th September 2023
Other notes: Candidate must currently be at a non-Danish research institution.
Click here for more information

2 - Lundbeck Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship

Maximum duration: 3 years
Age requirement: less than 4 years post PhD
Research: The project must be related to NEUROSCIENCE
Previous deadline: 9th November 2023
Other notes: Can also apply if about to complete PhD (within next six months)
Click here for more information

3 - Danish Data Science Academy Postdoctoral Fellowship

Maximum duration: 2 years
Age requirement: less than 6 years post PhD
Research: The project must be related to DATA SCIENCE
Next deadline: 28th February 2024
Click here for more information

4 - Novo Nordisk Postdoctoral Fellowship

Maximum duration: 3 years
Age requirement: less than 6 years post PhD
Research: The project must be in PLANT SCIENCE, AGRICULTURE or FOOD BIOTECH
Next deadline: Expected to be June 2024
Click here for more information

How to register

If you would like to register for the initiative, please follow these steps

1. Check that you are eligible for at least one of the four fellowship schemes (see list above), and read the details of the corresponding call
2. Write a summary of your proposed project (maximum three pages). This should include a brief introduction to your research area, your research hypothesis, and a summary of data and methods you will use. Please also explain how your proposed research aligns / contrasts with existing research at QGG
3. Prepare a CV (maximum three pages). This should include details of your education, a summary of your PhD and postdoc projects, a list of publications and two references.
4. Click here to Register for the QGG Young Researchers Support Initiative

Please be aware

It is possible to apply for multiple fellowships (often using similar applications). If we think this is advisable, based on your research proposal, we will let you know. 

While selected candidates will receive help, writing an application still takes substantial time (e.g., a minimum 30 hours).

To get a summary of the research currently performed at QGG, and the mentor possibilities, view the QGG Research Pages.

Process plan:

The next registration deadline is 31st January 2024

QGG will email all applicants within two weeks of the deadline. This email will contain brief feedback on the project idea and the young researcher's CV, and state whether the young researcher has been selected for application assistance.

Subsequently, QGG will start a dialogue with selected researchers, in order to assign mentors and assist with writing the application.