News

Call for applications: 2025 EMBL-UNESCO residency in infection biology research

Deadline for applications: 31 March 2025
Women scientist/researcher

UNESCO and the (EMBL) are launching their third call for applications for young female scientists working on infection biology in Africa. Later this year, the successful candidates will carry out a short-term research project at one of EMBL's European sites. This call is intended for PhD students and postdoctoral fellows, as well as early-career faculty whose primary affiliation is with a research group based in Africa. 

Each selected candidate will be hosted by one of the eight participating group leaders specializing in this theme. The host laboratories are based in Heidelberg (Germany), Barcelona (Spain), Grenoble (France), and Cambridge (United Kingdom). 

These research groups investigate a wide range of topics related to infection biology and host-pathogen interactions, offering diverse expertise and research approaches.

Eligibility criteria

This call for applications is open to female scientists conducting research in infection biology: 

  • Open to female scientists conducting research in infection biology. 
  • Applicants must be primarily affiliated with an institution in Africa. 
  • Eligible career stages: 
    • Advanced PhD researchers 
    • Postdoctoral fellows 
    • Early-career group leaders (within five years of starting a tenure-track position) 
  • A support letter from a supervisor or mentor is required. 

Evaluation and selection process

  • Initial review by hosting group leaders 
    • Hosting group leaders will evaluate all applications submitted for placements in their laboratories. 
    • They will rank their preferred candidates for interviews. 
    • Applicants who are not selected for further consideration will be notified immediately. 
       
  • Panel interview invitation 

    The infection biology co-chairs will invite the top-ranked candidates to participate in an online panel interview. 

  • Final decision and notification 
    • After the interviews, candidates will be informed of the final selection results. 
    • The final decisions will be communicated by May 2025. 
Apply/submit

Application

As advertised on the , successful applicants will work on a project proposed by the selected group leader and receive mentoring to help them develop new skills to support their own research project back home.

Eligible applicants who have previously received endowments from the L'Oréal–UNESCO For Women in Science programme or who are active in the work of , a UNESCO programme unit, are particularly encouraged to apply. 

UNESCO and the European Molecular Biology Laboratory

This residency is offered within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed by UNESCO and EMBL in 2022. Under this agreement, both partners undertake to promote equality, diversity and inclusiveness in science, notably by fostering the implementation of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science, the UNESCO Recommendation on Science and Scientific Researchers and EMBL’s programme, which runs from 2022 to 2026.

Meet past fellows

Maame Acquah

Ghanaian PhD fellow specializing in molecular cell biology, epidemiology, and virology.

Dr. Oluwaremilekun Grace Ajakaye

Lecturer and researcher at Adekunle Ajasin University, Nigeria, specializing in parasitic disease control.

Tendai Washaya

PhD fellow at the University of Zimbabwe studying multi-resistant HIV-1 prevalence and treatment resistance.

Dr. Adwoa Padiki Nartey

Researcher at the University of Ghana studying microbial antibiotic resistance.

Contact

Menna
Menattallah
Elserafy
Programme Specialist, Basic Sciences, Research, Innovation and Engineering Section
Georges Bedrossian
Georges
Bedrossian