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ORFeus MSCA Doctoral Network 2026: 15 Fully Funded PhD Positions in Microprotein Research

The ORFeus MSCA Doctoral Network offers 15 fully funded, 3-year PhD positions researching the 'dark proteome' and microproteins across computational biology, genomics, and immunology. Positions include competitive EU salaries, mandatory industry secondments, and network-wide training.

October 6, 2026 ⏰ Deadline: Oct 22, 2026

Quick Overview

Host CountryMultiple: UK, Germany, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, Ireland
University/OrgMultiple institutions across EU (University of Southampton, Max Delbrück Center, University of Oslo, Institute of Cancer Research London, University of Freiburg, Hubrecht Institute, University of Leeds, Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Ghent University, University of Dundee, University College Cork, Princess Máxima Center, Netherlands Cancer Institute, University of Lausanne)
Degree LevelPhD
Funding TypeFully Funded
Fields of StudyArtificial Intelligence, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, Genomics, Proteomics
DeadlineOctober 22, 2026

Scholarship Overview

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Overview

The ORFeus MSCA Doctoral Network is recruiting 15 doctoral researchers for fully funded, 3-year PhD positions starting March 2027. This European Union-funded program investigates microproteins and the “dark proteome”—thousands of small proteins that existing scientific tools have largely missed. The network unites 15 research projects across computational biology, AI, genomics, proteomics, structural biology, evolutionary biology, and cancer immunology.

Each position is a full employment contract with salary and allowances set by the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), including a living allowance, mobility allowance, and family allowance where applicable. The program includes mandatory training events, an industry secondment of approximately three months, and an academic secondment of approximately four weeks.

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Available Projects

The 15 positions are organized across three work packages:

WP1: Discovery (DC1–DC5)

  • DC1 (University of Southampton, UK): AI models predicting microprotein genes from DNA sequence data
  • DC2 (Max Delbrück Center, Berlin): Single-molecule translation analysis using RiboSTAMP and nanopore sequencing
  • DC3 (University of Oslo, Norway): Mining 15,000+ public ribosome profiling datasets for rare translation events
  • DC4 (Institute of Cancer Research, London): Dual host-pathogen proteomics during bacterial infection
  • DC5 (University of Freiburg, Germany): Chemical tagging of secreted microproteins and receptor identification

WP2: Characterization (DC6–DC10)

  • DC6 (Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht): Computational protein design using AlphaFold3 and RoseTTAFold
  • DC7 (University of Leeds, UK): Translation of long non-coding RNAs in neuronal development
  • DC8 (Hospital del Mar Research Institute, Barcelona): Evolutionary analysis to predict microprotein function
  • DC9 (Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht): Single-cell ribosome profiling with CRISPR Perturb-seq
  • DC10 (Ghent University, Belgium): Thermal proteome profiling in bacterial microprotein deletion strains

WP3: Translation to Medicine (DC11–DC15)

  • DC11 (University of Dundee, UK): Non-canonical translation in HPV-driven cancers
  • DC12 (University College Cork, Ireland): Genetic variants altering translation in cancer
  • DC13 (Princess Máxima Center, Utrecht): Stress-induced non-canonical translation in cancer
  • DC14 (Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam): CRISPR screens for antigen presentation regulators
  • DC15 (University of Lausanne, Switzerland): Machine learning prediction of immunogenic cryptic peptides

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for ORFeus positions, you must meet all of the following:

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  • Not already hold a doctoral degree (PhD)
  • Hold or obtain a master’s degree (or equivalent qualification granting doctoral access) before the position start date
  • Satisfy the MSCA mobility rule: you must not have resided, worked, or studied in your chosen host institution’s country for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment

Short stays such as holidays, conferences, or language courses do not count toward the 12-month limit. The mobility rule is assessed per project, so you may be eligible for positions in some countries but not others. Applicants of any nationality are welcome, including those from outside Europe.

Application Process

Applications are submitted through a central platform, not to individual institutions:

  1. Review projects: Read all 15 project descriptions and identify those matching your background and interests
  2. Rank up to three projects: Submit one application per project, ranking your choices in order of preference. You may rank one, two, or three projects
  3. Submit by deadline: Complete applications must be submitted by 22 October 2026, 23:59 CEST
  4. Shortlisting: Late October to mid-November 2026—projects review and rank applicants. Non-selected candidates receive immediate notification
  5. Introductory call: Mid to late November 2026—shortlisted candidates are contacted to schedule a brief call
  6. Full interview: Early December 2026—candidates present research and provide reference contacts. References are contacted at this stage
  7. Outcome: All candidates are informed of decisions before end of 2026

Reference letters are not required at application. After shortlisting, you provide up to two reference contacts. If you reach the interview stage, referees are contacted for input.

Funding and Benefits

Each position includes:

  • 36-month full-time employment contract
  • Living allowance (gross amount varies by host country)
  • Mobility allowance
  • Family allowance where applicable
  • Full coverage of travel and accommodation for mandatory network training events
  • Approximately 3-month industry secondment (fully funded)
  • Approximately 4-week academic secondment (primarily virtual)

English is the working language for all network activities. Local language fluency is not required.

For African and SADC Applicants

The ORFeus network explicitly welcomes applicants of any nationality. For researchers from Zimbabwe and SADC countries, several considerations apply:

  • Mobility rule advantage: If you have not studied or worked in the UK, Germany, Norway, Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, Switzerland, or Ireland in the past three years, you likely satisfy mobility requirements for all positions
  • Visa support: Host institutions guide recruited researchers through visa and work permit processes. Start this process immediately upon receiving an offer, as timelines vary
  • No local language requirement: All supervision, training, and network events are conducted in English
  • Family allowance: Available if you have dependents, increasing your total support package

Industry Partners and Secondments

Each project includes a mandatory industry secondment. Confirmed partners include:

  • EMBL-EBI (UK/Germany)
  • Oxford Nanopore Technologies (UK)
  • EIRNA Bio (Ireland)
  • Tesorai (US)
  • Bruker (Germany)
  • Immudex (Denmark)
  • Immagina Biotechnology (Italy)
  • Enara Bio (UK)
  • myNEO (Belgium)

Some secondment partners are to be announced. The industry placement provides direct experience in commercial research environments and expands professional networks.

Key Dates

  • Application opens: 1 October 2026
  • Application closes: 22 October 2026, 23:59 CEST
  • Shortlisting and intro calls: Late October to late November 2026
  • Interviews: Early December 2026
  • Decisions communicated: Before end of 2026
  • Position start: Around March 2027 (exact date varies by project)

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Official scholarship page: https://www.orfeus-dn.eu/apply/

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Funding Coverage

Full employment contract with MSCA living allowance, mobility allowance, and family allowance where applicable. All network training costs covered. Secondments fully funded.

Eligibility Criteria

No prior PhD; master's degree or equivalent by start date; MSCA mobility rule (max 12 months in host country in prior 36 months); any nationality

Required Documents

Application through central platform; CV; project ranking (up to 3); research statement. Reference contacts required after shortlisting, not at application.

Application Process

1) Review 15 projects, 2) Rank up to 3 projects on central platform, 3) Submit by 22 Oct 2026, 4) Shortlisting Oct-Nov, 5) Intro call Nov, 6) Interview Dec, 7) Decision by end 2026
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Frequently Asked Questions

No. MSCA Doctoral Networks are designed for researchers who have not yet obtained a doctoral degree. If you already hold a PhD, you may contact the network about other collaboration possibilities, but you cannot apply for these funded positions.
The mobility rule requires that at recruitment, you must not have resided, worked, or studied in your chosen host institution's country for more than 12 months in the 36 months before your recruitment date. Short stays like holidays, conferences, or language courses do not count. This is assessed per project, so you may qualify for positions in some countries but not others. For example, if you studied in Germany within the past three years, you would not be eligible for DC2 in Berlin but could still apply for positions in the UK, Norway, or other countries.
Application is free. If selected, you receive a full 36-month employment contract with salary and allowances set by Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions: a living allowance (amount varies by country), mobility allowance, and family allowance if applicable. All costs for mandatory network training events, including travel and accommodation, are covered. The industry secondment (approximately 3 months) and academic secondment (approximately 4 weeks) are fully funded.
Applications open 1 October 2026 and close 22 October 2026 at 23:59 CEST. After submission, you receive confirmation. Each project you ranked reviews your application during late October to mid-November. Strong candidates are shortlisted for a brief introductory call in mid-to-late November. Satisfactory candidates proceed to a full interview in early December where you present research and provide reference contacts. All candidates are informed of outcomes before the end of 2026, with positions starting around March 2027.
No. Reference letters are not required at the initial application stage. After you are shortlisted, you will be asked to provide information for up to two reference contacts through the hiring platform. These contacts will be asked to confirm they can serve as referees. If you reach the full interview stage, the project will request their formal input.
Ranking more than one project widens your options without reducing your chances for your top choice. Every project you rank will consider your application, not only your first choice. Rank only projects you would genuinely accept. Selection depends on alignment between your background and the project's needs, not on how many projects you rank. With 15 distinct positions spanning computational biology, AI, experimental genomics, proteomics, and immunology, candidates with strong foundations in any of these areas and demonstrated interest in cross-disciplinary research are competitive.

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