Postdoctoral Fellowship Opportunity: INNOVISION COFUND Programme

Overview Organisation/Company: South East Technological University (SETU), Ireland. Department: Science Research Field (Pharmacological sciences, Biological sciences, Neurosciences, Medical sciences). Position: Postdoctoral Fellow (Experienced Researcher, R2). Location: Ireland or Finland (depending on host organisation). Contract type: 30-month fixed term. Hours per week: 35. Start date: 1 Apr 2026. Application deadline: 16 Dec 2025, 16:00 (Europe/Dublin). EU funding: Horizon Europe – COFUND. Reference number: 038404. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Grant Agreement Number: 101217199. Job status: Temporary. Is the job funded through EU Research Framework Programme? Yes (Horizon Europe – COFUND).
Offer Description SETU is proud to announce that applications open on 1 October 2025 for the INNOVISION postdoctoral fellowship programme. Led by SETU’s Ocular Therapeutics Research Group, INNOVISION (Innovative Ocular Therapeutics through Engagement and Interdisciplinary Vision Research) is co-financed by the European Union under the Horizon Europe MSCA-COFUND programme. It will support a total of 12 world-class postdoctoral researchers to advance therapies and technologies addressing the global challenge of vision impairment. The initial call (now open) will recruit six postdoctoral researchers and is open to international candidates.
The programme offers:
a competitive salary and research budget
structured mentoring and career development
international secondments with academic, clinical, and industry partners
the chance to be part of a vibrant, interdisciplinary research environment at SETU
Applications open on 1 October 2025 through the INNOVISION website: innovision.setu.ie.
Organisation: South East Technological University (SETU), Ireland, and international partners
Position: Experienced Researcher (Postdoctoral Fellow)
Location: Ireland or Finland (depending on host organisation)
Contract type: 30-month fixed term
About INNOVISION INNOVISION is a €3.1 million Marie Skłodowska-Curie COFUND programme coordinated by SETU. The programme will recruit 12 postdoctoral fellows across two calls (6 researchers per round). INNOVISION focuses on translational vision research, ocular drug delivery, medical devices, and public and patient involvement (PPI) in research. Fellows will undertake cutting-edge research, supported by a network of academic, clinical, industry, and patient advocacy partners. Fellows will be employed by one of the programme’s recruiting organisations (SETU or Experimentica), with opportunities for international, intersectoral, and/or interdisciplinary secondments lasting 1–9 months.
Research Areas
Applications are welcome from candidates with expertise relevant to vision research and related fields, including but not limited to:
Pharmaceutical sciences and drug delivery
Biomedical engineering and medical devices
Cell and molecular biology
Ophthalmology and visual sciences
Data science, AI, and health technologies
Public and patient involvement in research
Any relevant field that fits within programme aims in the Guide for Applicants
Fellowship Features Duration: 30 months of full-time employment
Salary: Competitive MSCA-aligned salary including mobility allowance (and family allowance if eligible)
Training: Advanced research training, career development, and transferable skills training
Secondments: International, intersectoral, or interdisciplinary placements of 1–9 months
Supervision: Academic supervision with access to a network of mentors and advisors
Networking: Opportunities to collaborate with academic institutions, SMEs, CROs, hospitals, and patient organisations
Eligibility Criteria Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) or have at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience.
Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, study, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to the call deadline (MSCA mobility rule).
Applicants must be fluent in English (written and spoken).
How to Apply Full details of eligibility, host organisations, and application requirements are available on the INNOVISION website: innovision.setu.ie.
Applications are welcome from candidates with expertise relevant to vision research and related fields, including but not limited to:
Pharmaceutical sciences and drug delivery
Biomedical engineering and medical devices
Cell and molecular biology
Ophthalmology and visual sciences
Data science, AI, and health technologies
Public and patient involvement in research
Specific Requirements
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) or have at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience.
Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, study, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to the call deadline (MSCA mobility rule).
Applicants must be fluent in English (written and spoken).
Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent
Research Field Pharmacological sciences, Biological sciences, Neurosciences
Years of Research Experience 4 - 10
Internal Application form(s) needed
INNOVISION-GUIDE-FOR-APPLICANTS_2025-CALL.pdf
Eligibility criteria
Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) or have at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience.
Applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, study, etc.) in the country of the recruiting organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to the call deadline (MSCA mobility rule).
Applicants must be fluent in English (written and spoken).
Selection process
INNOVISION’s evaluation criteria are based on the MSCA Postdoctoral evaluation criteria, with deviations to reflect the specific nature and objectives of INNOVISION. All applications are first reviewed for eligibility and adherence to the INNOVISION Terms and Conditions. Relevant checks may be requested during this stage. Assessment is a two-step process consisting of initial remote international expert review, followed by a panel interview for those who progress to the second step. The process includes remote scoring (0–5) for sections Excellence, Impact, and Implementation, with separate feedback provided. The interviews will include an 8-minute researcher presentation (slides allowed) and a set of questions. The INNOVISION Management Team will communicate outcomes by email, including an interview report where applicable, and details of any redress process. A reserve list (maximum 4 people) will be in place for one year. Applicants will have 15 days to appeal on procedural grounds. Appeals are handled by the INNOVISION Management Team. Feedback to candidates will include interview panel feedback and funding decision details. This decision is final and no further correspondence will be undertaken regarding individual assessments or scoring. Feedback will not compromise the confidentiality of references submitted to the programme.

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