Group Leader (Principal Investigator) Positions in Biomedical and Data-Driven Research

Lithuanian University of Health Sciences (LSMU) invites outstanding early-career researchers to apply for Group Leader (Principal Investigator) positions and to establish their first independent research group under the national competitive funding programme “My First Research Team”.

This programme is designed to accelerate the transition to research independence and to support the development of internationally competitive research teams.

The Opportunity

Up to nine Group Leader positions will be awarded. Each successful candidate will:

• Establish an independent research group at LSMU
• Implement an original and autonomous research project for up to three years
• Receive funding of up to EUR 350,000 per team, covering personnel and project-related costs
• Be appointed as Research Group Leader (PI) with a competitive salary (up to EUR 60,000 per year, gross)

All proposed research activities must align with Lithuania’s Smart Specialisation priorities.

Research Areas

Applicants are encouraged to propose innovative and independent research projects within one or more of the following areas:

• Advanced biological models and personalised medicine
• Metabolomics and metabolic biomarkers in health and disease
• Cancer immunology and personalised T cell-based therapies
• Systems medicine, multi-omics data integration and artificial intelligence
• Vascular biology and mechanisms of pathological remodelling
• Personalised theranostics and multimodal imaging technologies
• Neuroinflammation and mechanisms of neurodegeneration
• AI-driven diagnostic and monitoring solutions integrating biomarkers and sensor technologies in veterinary and animal health research
• Personalised medicine in oncology

Projects may span multiple thematic areas.

Eligibility

Applicants must:

• Hold a PhD awarded within the last 7 years (with appropriate extensions for documented career breaks)
• Demonstrate a strong publication record and clear potential for scientific independence
• Present a well-defined research vision and leadership potential for building and coordinating a research team

Why LSMU

LSMU is a leading biomedical research and education institution in the Baltic region, integrating human and veterinary medicine, life sciences, and public health. Researchers benefit from access to modern research infrastructure, national biobanks, and clinical resources, as well as strong institutional engagement in European research and innovation programmes.

The university is located in Kaunas, a family-friendly and culturally vibrant city offering a high quality of life and a supportive international research environment.

For more information about living in Kaunas:
https://kaunasin.lt/en/live-in-kaunas/

Application Process

Applications must be submitted electronically by e-mail.

Deadline: 30 January 2026, 16:00 CET
E-mail: [email protected]
Subject line: My First Research Team – Group Leader Application

Required documents

• Curriculum vitae
• List of publications
• PhD diploma or certificate
• Research proposal (official application form (available below))
• Names and contact details of two referees

Additional annexes (if applicable)

• Documentation related to maternity, paternity or parental leave, or birth certificates of children
• Documentation related to long-term sick leave

Detailed information about the call conditions: 

https://lsmu.lt/wp-content/uploads/LSMU-My-first-research-team-1.pdf

Next online information session will be on the 19th January 2026, 13:00 CET. Microsoft Teams link will available at: 

https://euraxess.ec.europa.eu/jobs/397099

Enquiries

For questions regarding the call or application procedure, please contact:
[email protected]