Over 80 international researchers applied for the IMMUFELLOW postdoctoral research programme. The first 11 positions were available at the University of Turku or Åbo Akademi University for immunology-related postdoctoral researchers”.A total of 22 international researchers will be hired for the program. Applications for the remaining 11 positions will open in late summer 2026.

The first call for applications offered 11 fixed-term positions. Nine of these positions are at the University of Turku and two at Åbo Akademi University. More than 80 applications were received for the positions, and they are currently being peer-reviewed by independent experts.

The first batch of researchers is expected to start work in April or May 2026. A new call for applications for the remaining 11 positions will be opened later this summer.

The Interdisciplinary and Intersectoral Research Fellowship Program for Future Leaders in Immunology (IMMUFELLOW) is a training programme co-funded by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND. It is led by Professor Marko Salmi from the University of Turku. Salmi  says that, IMMUFELLOW complements the overall immunological research in Turku, which includes the InFLAMES flagship and the ImmuDocs doctoral training pilot program.

According to Salmi, what is new about IMMUFELLOW is that the programme emphasises broad research collaboration between the academia,  businesses, and the public sector. Fifteen corporate partners and 20 other partners from across Europe are involved. The programme aims to combine cutting-edge research, interdisciplinarity, and social impact. The training of postdoctoral researchers also emphasises entrepreneurial skills, economic impact, and practical skills for working in different environments.