KEY-RSU – KnowledgE for InterdisciplinarY Research Excellence at RSU
A five-year postdoctoral career development opportunity in biomedical and social sciences
KEY-RSU is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND Choose Europe for Science programme implemented by Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU). It will recruit and support six international postdoctoral researchers through a structured five-year employment and career development pathway, combining research, individualised training, scientific supervision, international collaboration and opportunities for intersectoral experience.
The programme aims to strengthen RSU's research capacity while enabling postdoctoral researchers to advance towards greater research independence and develop sustainable careers within or beyond academia.
The call is scheduled for December 2026.
6
postdoctoral positions
2
RSU host environments
36+24
months of career development
About
Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) is a research university located in Rīga, the capital of Latvia. Established in 1950 as the Rīga Medical Institute, RSU has evolved into a modern, internationally oriented university recognised for its strengths in both health sciences and social sciences. The university offers education and conducts research in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, public health, rehabilitation, sports and health sciences, as well as in social sciences, including communication, political science, international relations, law, psychology, sociology, social anthropology, and regional development.
Today, RSU brings together more than 12,000 students, including over 3,000 international students. The university offers study programmes from bachelor's to doctoral level and maintains close links with Latvia's healthcare system, research institutions, and international academic partners.
Guided by its motto “Science for healthy societies”, RSU is committed to advancing research that contributes to individual and societal well-being. Its research environment brings together specialised institutes, laboratories, and research centres, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across biomedical, health, and social sciences. RSU continues to invest in research infrastructure, international partnerships, and the professional development of researchers.
RSU also promotes the well-being, physical activity and social integration of its employees. The university provides access to sports infrastructure and opportunities to engage in a range of sporting and recreational activities, including participation in RSU sports teams. Beyond sport, members of the RSU community can take part in cultural and creative activities, including dance and choral singing, providing opportunities to connect with colleagues outside the workplace and become part of the wider university community.
KEY-RSU programme combines advanced research with a structured approach to postdoctoral career development. Each postdoctoral researcher will benefit from scientific supervision, co-supervision and an individual Career Development Plan, supported by regular progress reviews.
The programme provides opportunities for specialised training, interdisciplinary collaboration and international or intersectoral experience, helping researchers strengthen their scientific independence and prepare for future careers within or beyond academia.
Research Environment and Opportunities
Six postdoctoral positions are planned in two RSU research environments.
Institute of Microbiology and Virology:
4 positions
The Institute of Microbiology and Virology (MVI) offers four postdoctoral research opportunities across two complementary research environments: the Host–Pathogen Interactions group and the Immunology and Cancer group.
Research spans molecular mechanisms of infection, cellular regulation, tumour immunology and cancer treatment responses, supported by experimental, computational and translational research expertise.
Applicants are encouraged to develop original research proposals within the pre-set thematic areas. Detailed information about the research environment, infrastructure, supervision and individual opportunities is provided in the downloadable profiles below.
*** MVI HOST PROFILE
*** Dace Pjanova – Supervisor
*** Bhupesh Kumar Prusty – Supervisor
*** Zaiga Nora-Krūkle – Co-supervisor
*** MVI-1
*** MVI-2
*** MVI-3
*** MVI-4
Social Sciences Research Centre:
2 positions
The Social Sciences Research Centre (SSRC) offers two postdoctoral research opportunities focusing on information manipulation at the intersection of medical and social sciences, and food and nutritional security among people with severe medical conditions.
Research brings together expertise in communication, political science, social sciences and sustainable food systems, with an emphasis on interdisciplinary approaches to health-related and societal challenges. The research environment supports collaboration across disciplines, policy-relevant research and engagement with academic and non-academic partners.
Applicants are encouraged to develop original research proposals within the pre-set thematic areas. Detailed information about the research environment, supervision, international collaboration and individual opportunities is provided in the downloadable profiles below.
*** SSRC HOST PROFILE
*** Una Aleksandra Bērziņa-Čerenkova – Supervisor
*** Miķelis Grīvinš – Supervisor
*** Ieva Puzo – Co-supervisor
*** SSRC-1
*** SSRC-2
Remuneration, Support and Career Development
Employment conditions
*** Employment Conditions
Employment offer
- Position: Postdoctoral researcher
- Timing: 60-month full-time employment pathway (36-month Phase 1 and 24-month Phase 2)
- Mandatory secondment: 6–12 weeks
The KEY-RSU programme offers a five-year postdoctoral employment and career development pathway at Rīga Stradiņš University, combining competitive employment conditions, dedicated research funding, tailored training and international research experience and mobility.
Remuneration
PHASE 1
36 months
MSCA COFUND + RSU
PHASE 2
24 months
RSU-funded
The KEY-RSU programme allocates EUR 6,700 per researcher per month in gross remuneration that includes salary, employer social security contributions and other employment-related costs. In addition, RSU provides employer-paid health insurance in line with the university's standard employee benefits.
Additional funding for research and mobility
KEY-RSU provides dedicated financial resources to support each researcher's scientific work and professional development.
| Budget provision per researcher | Phase 1 (per year) | Phase 2 (per year) |
|---|---|---|
| Research costs | €30,000 | €5,040 |
| Mobility allowance | €5,040 | €2,040 |
| Travel allowance | €2,040 | €2,040 |
| Other costs, including training | €2,040 | No separate allocation |
| Total | €39,120 | €9,120 |
These amounts represent the programme’s budget allocations for eligible research and professional activities, not additional personal salary payments. Expenditure is subject to applicable RSU financial and approval procedures.
Additional support
Researchers will benefit from:
- Access to RSU research infrastructure and specialised facilities, subject to applicable access conditions;
- Administrative and onboarding support for international researchers.
Training and Career Development
KEY-RSU programme supports researchers in developing research independence, leadership and transferable skills and competitive funding applications. Progression to Phase 2 is based on Career Development Plan achievements and supervisory evaluations, overseen by the Programme Management Board, fostering long-term career opportunities.
Postdoctoral researchers will benefit from:
- Personalised Career Development Plan, reviewed twice annually;
- Scientific supervision and co-supervision;
- Scientific and transferable skills training;
- Mandatory 6–12-week secondment;
- Career progression and development towards research independence;
- Mobility.
*** Training and Career Development
Eligibility and How to Apply
Recruitment will take place through an open, transparent, merit-based and equitable selection process. Applicants will need to meet the eligibility criteria stated in the official vacancy notice, including the applicable doctoral-degree requirements and the MSCA mobility rule.
The official call will provide:
- the research opportunities and eligibility conditions;
- the application procedure, deadline and required documents;
- the evaluation and selection procedure, including information on procedural redress;
- detailed employment conditions and the relevant templates.
The call will be announced through RSU and EURAXESS websites. Applications are not yet open.
International Collaboration
International and intersectoral experience is an integral part of the programme. KEY-RSU is supported by academic and non-academic associated partners, who will contribute through research collaboration, training and secondment opportunities. Specific placements will be aligned with each researcher's project and Career Development Plan.
*** Partner information documents MVI
*** Partner information documents SSRC
EU Funding and Disclaimer
KEY-RSU (grant agreement No 101313381) is co-funded by the European Union through Horizon Europe, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions COFUND – Choose Europe for Science, with additional funding from Rīga Stradiņš University.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
