This programme is designed to accelerate the transition to research independence and to support the development of internationally competitive research teams.
The Opportunity
Up to nine Group Leader positions will be awarded. Each successful candidate will:
- Establish an independent research group at LSMU
- Implement an original and autonomous research project for up to three years
- Receive funding of up to EUR 350,000 per team, covering personnel and project-related costs
- Be appointed as Research Group Leader (PI) with a competitive salary (up to EUR 60,000 per year, gross)
All proposed research activities must align with Lithuania’s Smart Specialisation priorities.
Research Areas
Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative and independent research projects within one or more of the following areas:
- Advanced biological models and personalised medicine
- Metabolomics and metabolic biomarkers in health and disease
- Cancer immunology and personalised T cell-based therapies
- Systems medicine, multi-omics data integration and artificial intelligence
- Vascular biology and mechanisms of pathological remodelling
- Personalised theranostics and multimodal imaging technologies
- Neuroinflammation and mechanisms of neurodegeneration
- AI-driven diagnostic and monitoring solutions integrating biomarkers and sensor technologies in veterinary and animal health research
- Personalised medicine in oncology
Projects may span multiple thematic areas.
Eligibility
Applicants must:
- Hold a PhD awarded within the last 7 years (with appropriate extensions for documented career breaks)
- Demonstrate a strong publication record and clear potential for scientific independence
- Present a well-defined research vision and leadership potential for building and coordinating a research team
Why LSMU
LSMU is a leading biomedical research and education institution in the Baltic region, integrating human and veterinary medicine, life sciences, and public health. Researchers benefit from access to modern research infrastructure, national biobanks, and clinical resources, as well as strong institutional engagement in European research and innovation programmes.
The university is located in Kaunas, a family-friendly and culturally vibrant city offering a high quality of life and a supportive international research environment.
For more information about living in Kaunas:
https://kaunasin.lt/en/live-in-kaunas/
Application Process
Applications must be submitted electronically by e-mail.
Deadline: 30 January 2026, 16:00 CET
E-mail: talent.pool@lsmu.lt
Subject line: My First Research Team – Group Leader Application
Required documents
- Curriculum vitae
- List of publications
- PhD diploma or certificate
- Research proposal (official application form)
- Names and contact details of two referees
Additional annexes (if applicable)
- Documentation related to maternity, paternity or parental leave, or birth certificates of children
- Documentation related to long-term sick leave
Further details
The official application form and detailed information about the call conditions, including the formal requirements for the Principal Investigator and Research Team composition, as well as information and the link to the online information session (7 January 2026, 13:00 CET), are available at:
https://lsmu.lt/en/about-lsmu/careers/open-positions/
Enquiries
For questions regarding the call or application procedure, please contact:
talent.pool@lsmu.lt
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