Call LUMC Junior Principal Investigator Program 2026
The LUMC Junior Principal Investigator Program will yearly award five personal grants of € 850,000 for four years to kick-start the career of five starting group leaders. We expect these candidates to have the potential to grow towards associate professor level over this period.
The preproposal deadline is on 15 September 2025, and the call is open to junior researchers based anywhere in the world.
Who are we looking for
We are looking for junior group leaders who are among the top-10% of peers in their field as evidenced by research output, potential to attract research funding, initial experience with supervision and mentoring, and academic citizenship.
Moreover, the research line, whether fundamental, translational or clinical, needs to strongly contribute to the LUMC research strategy and the LUMC Themes of Innovation. The call is aimed at starting group leaders who have obtained their PhD at least three and maximally 10 years before the call deadline, with possible extension for a maximum of five years due to parental leave, medical training or other documented reasons.
We are looking for junior group leaders who are among the top-10% of peers in their field as evidenced by research output, potential to attract research funding, initial experience with supervision and mentoring, and academic citizenship.
Moreover, the research line, whether fundamental, translational or clinical, needs to strongly contribute to the LUMC research strategy and the LUMC Themes of Innovation. The call is aimed at starting group leaders who have obtained their PhD at least three and maximally 10 years before the call deadline, with possible extension for a maximum of five years due to parental leave, medical training or other documented reasons.
See the LUMC Junior PI Program regulations and preproposal form for further details on eligibility criteria and extension clauses.
How to apply
Candidates are invited to send their preproposal before 15 September midnight CET to research@lumc.nl.
Please note that candidates need to have discussed their proposal with their intended Department head and/or Theme of Innovation to apply.
Selection
The selection will consist of three phases.
- First, an LUMC-wide Committee will select those candidates who fit the target group based on CV.
- The remaining preproposals will be judged on (1) scientific content by the Committee, (2) fit with the strategic research priorities of LUMC-wide research themes, and (3) alignment with the priorities of potential prospective departments the applicant would be embedded in, if successful.
- This will result in a short-list of 12 candidates who will be invited to submit a full proposal and perform a site-visit early 2026. This site visit will involve an interview and discussions with the selection committee, the themes, department head and, if applicable, research facilities.
The selection will consist of three phases.
- First, an LUMC-wide Committee will select those candidates who fit the target group based on CV.
- The remaining preproposals will be judged on (1) scientific content by the Committee, (2) fit with the strategic research priorities of LUMC-wide research themes, and (3) alignment with the priorities of potential prospective departments the applicant would be embedded in, if successful.
- This will result in a short-list of 12 candidates who will be invited to submit a full proposal and perform a site-visit early 2026. This site visit will involve an interview and discussions with the selection committee, the themes, department head and, if applicable, research facilities.
The final decision will be based on the full proposal and site-visit.
See the LUMC Junior PI Program regulations and preproposal form for further details on eligibility criteria.