The Novo Nordisk Foundation is offering prestigious postdoctoral fellowships for outstanding young scientists to advance research in Industrial and Environmental Biotechnology. These fellowships aim to support the development of independent research areas focused on significant challenges within these fields, with a strategic outlook towards sustainability and potential scalability.
Fellowship Focus And Scope
The research supported by these fellowships must be fundamental in nature but possess a strategic perspective on scaling potential, contributing to sustainability, and potentially increasing productivity. A clear element of biotechnology must be present. Preferred research topics include:
- Utilizing or engineering biological/biotechnological tools for the synthesis and production of valuable products like chemicals, proteins, and materials.
- Developing technologies and processes directly applicable to bioproduction.
- Enhancing the efficiency of biomanufacturing.
- Employing or engineering biological/biotechnological tools to protect or improve the environment.
- Understanding, protecting, or manipulating natural or industrial ecosystems relevant to biotechnology applications.
- Leveraging data science to promote research in industrial or environmental biotechnology, including related ecosystem research.
Eligibility And Application Details
Eligible candidates must have obtained a PhD or equivalent degree within six years of the application deadline, or be PhD students scheduled to defend their thesis before April 1, 2026. Applicants must be affiliated with a university or non-profit research institution in Denmark, Greenland, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Iceland, Norway, or Sweden. Opportunities exist to conduct part of the research at an international institution.
Funding And Support
The fellowships provide funding for one to three years. A three-year project can receive up to DKK 3.3 million, with an increased amount of up to DKK 3.41 million possible for projects including a significant research stay abroad. Funding covers salaries, research technician support, operating expenses, equipment, travel and relocation costs, collaboration laboratory expenses, conference participation, publication fees, and other eligible project-related costs.
Evaluation Criteria And Timeline
Applications will be assessed by the Committee on Industrial Biotechnology and Environmental Biotechnology. Key evaluation criteria include the novelty and originality of the research idea, potential impact, feasibility, the applicant’s past achievements, and their mobility or international experience. Both the project’s quality and the candidate’s potential are critical factors.
The application deadline is August 21, 2025, at 14:00 CEST, submitted through the NORMA application system. Successful candidates will be notified in December 2025, with the earliest possible commencement date being January 1, 2026.
