Interdisciplinary postdoctoral research on the rise Efforts to attract high-level research projects to the transnational European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) are bearing fruit. Health © Thinkstock Representing an excellent example of scientific collaboration in Europe, the EMBL has spread its wings across 85 laboratories in 4 countries. EMBL co-ordinates an ambitious interdisciplinary postdoc fellowship programme (EIPOD) involving two or more EMBL labs to support interdisciplinary research projects and encourage research in the EU. This valuable initiative is now moving forward through the EU-funded project EIPOD2 (EMBL Interdisciplinary Postdocs 2). To achieve the project's aims, the EMBL is encouraging young researchers to propose interdisciplinary projects related to their preferred faculty, granting more freedom of choice and encouraging innovation. Researchers are asked to combine at least two distinct science-related topics under one research project or to choose from interdisciplinary research ideas proposed by EMBL faculty that they then develop into a research proposal according to their personal interests and goals. Following stringent and independent review of candidate applications and during an onsite interview meeting fellowships are offered to the best candidates who will benefit from interdisciplinary training. While at EMBL EIPOD fellows receive career guidance, vocational training and ethics training. Already, the EMBL has launched two calls for applications, ultimately approving 43 highly qualified postdoc fellows from 25 countries to join the programme. The initiative is being disseminated globally through the EMBL's website, via various websites such as Euraxess, Nature jobs and Findapostdoc.com through a direct email campaign with Science and at various career fairs and scientific meetings around the world. Potential applicants and other interested parties can obtain complete and up to date information on the fellowship's objectives, previous successes, testimonials and more on the programme website. A final call is planned for the near future with hopes of exploiting in total at least 90 % of the funds allocated for this enterprising project. Keywords Postdoctoral research, molecular biology, interdisciplinary postdoc, fellowship programme, EIPOD
