The European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) is one of the top life sciences research institutions in the world and is located at five sites: the main laboratory in Heidelberg, Germany, the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI) in Hinxton, UK, and outstations in Hamburg, Germany, Grenoble, France, and Monterotondo, Italy.

With the EIPOD initiative, EMBL underlines its strong commitment to promote interdisciplinary research. The institution has a long-standing tradition of scientific excellence that builds on highly interactive research between the research units: Cell Biology and Biophysics, Developmental Biology, Director's Research, Gene Expression and Structural and Computational Biology at the main laboratory in Heidelberg, Bioinformatics at EMBL-EBI in Hinxton, Structural Biology in Hamburg, Structural Biology in Grenoble and Mouse Biology in Monterotondo. EIPOD projects bring together scientific fields that are usually separate or transfer techniques to a novel context.

In the 2010 selection round, EMBL and Marie Curie Actions will fund a minimum of 20 EIPODs supported by at least two labs, preferably located in different units. Each project will have one scientific supervisor who will officially host the EIPOD, but all projects will involve extensive collaboration with the partner labs.

Applicants are invited to design and propose an interdisciplinary project of their choice according to scientific interest. Alternatively, they may select from a list of pre-designed projects.

Complementary funding can be used to extend postdoctoral training up to a total duration of five years. EIPODs will join the EMBL Postdoctoral Programme with its broad range of advanced training and career development opportunities.

Application deadline: 31 August 2010.

Applications should be made online only at www.embl.org/eipod

EIPODs selection is open to all nationalities, the only criteria being scientific excellence and interdisciplinarity.