MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship with RCSI

Funded by the European Commission under the Horizon Europe programme, MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are designed to enhance the creative and innovative potential of researchers through advanced training, international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral mobility. Candidates must apply together with a supervisor based in an eligible host institution.

Types of fellowships

• European Fellowships: Open to researchers of any nationality moving to RCSI from abroad. 
• Global Fellowships: Open to European nationals or long-term residents (>5 years in Europe) who wish to engage in research outside Europe before completing a final year at RCSI.

Who can apply?

Promising researchers of any nationality who:

• Are in possession of a PhD at the call deadline.
• Have a maximum of eight years' full-time equivalent research experience post-PhD*
• Have not lived or worked in Ireland (European Fellowship) or the country of the outgoing host organisation (Global Fellowship) for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to the call deadline. 

*years of experience outside research and career breaks will not count towards the above maximum, nor will years of experience in research in third countries, for nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe associated countries who wish to reintegrate to Europe.

What's covered?

A generous salary (living allowance and mobility allowance; MSCA Postdoctoral Fellows may also be eligible for family allowance and special needs allowance) as well as research, training, and networking costs.

Why RCSI?

Located in the heart of Dublin city, RCSI is an independent not-for-profit education and research institution, covering all areas of medicine and health sciences.  

RCSI’s mission is to improve human health through translational research. We promote innovative research that leads to improved diagnostics, therapeutics, and devices; tackles important healthcare delivery issues; informs policy and clinical practice; and enhances the quality of education of healthcare professionals.

RCSI is committed to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. This reflects our commitment to supporting people of all ages to live healthy lives and our work to promote the concepts of well-being and positive health.

As an exclusively health sciences-focused education and research institution with strong links to acute hospitals, RCSI is uniquely placed to develop and enhance research for the benefit of patients and to improve human health. Our strategic research themes include:

• Biomaterials, Medical Devices and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Cancer
• Neurological and Psychiatric Disorders
• Population Health and Health Services
• Surgical Science and Practice
• Vascular Biology and Cardiology
• Respiratory and Critical Care

RCSI can offer you a comprehensive research experience that paves the way for a pioneering life of leadership in healthcare research.  

The RCSI Office of Research and Innovation can help you:

• Identify a suitable supervisor
• Draft a competitive proposal
• Align your proposal with EU and RCSI missions
• Design the most appropriate career development plan for you

RCSI has hosted >50 MSCA Fellows in the last nine years, and has an application success rate of 45%.

How to apply

You must meet the eligibility criteria described above and should possess a strong publication record (at least one important publication as first author). You will be expected to co-create the proposal idea with your RCSI-based MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship supervisor.

Applications are encouraged from researchers with backgrounds in complementary disciplines (e.g. physics, engineering or social sciences) and an interest in pursuing health research. 

If you are interested in applying, please provide the following via email to eufundingsupport@rcsi.ie no later than 1 June 2025.

• The name of the PI you are interested in working with (if known; a list of potential supervisors can be found below).
• A copy of your CV.
• A letter of intent that includes:
• Your current research interests.
• Your motivation for applying for an MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship.