Joint Research Fellowships

Call for Applications

Joint Research Fellowships

at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences of the Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg
and the Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg Institute for Advanced Study (HWK), Germany

Deadline: 15.07.2026

Open to: Postdoctoral researchers in all fields of medical research and health sciences

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences of the Carl von Ossietzky University Oldenburg and the Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg Institute for Advanced Study Delmenhorst (HWK) offer two Joint Research Fellowships for researchers in all fields of medicine and health sciences¹. The successful project shall focus on clinical research or digitalization in medicine and health sciences. The funding period is for a duration of up to six months with residence periods starting in 2027.

The School of Medicine and Health Sciences is a young medical faculty, joining the University of Oldenburg (Germany) and the University of Groningen (Netherlands) for education and research in a European model project. Research at the Faculty is characterized by a close collaboration between the medical and natural science departments and health services research, featuring innovative medical studies and several co-operative projects like the Cluster of Excellence “Hearing4all.connects”, Collaborative Research Centers, and Research Training Groups. More information: https://www.uni-oldenburg.de/en/medicine/. 

The HWK is an Institute for Advanced Study offering outstanding scientists the opportunity to focus on research away from their daily academic routine and to interact with fellows from different disciplines in sciences, humanities, and arts. Fellows reside on the HWK campus and collaborate with research labs at academic institutions in the Northwest of Germany. Thus, the HWK is an ideal platform for building networks and for generating innovative ideas. More information: http://www.hanse-ias.de/en

 Application procedure:

All applications must include the following items: 

• a formal cover letter to the Dean of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the Rector of the HWK
• an abstract of the Fellowship project for a non-peer audience (max. 1500 characters incl. blanks)
• an abstract of the Fellowship project for peers (max. 1500 characters incl. blanks)
• a project proposal with focus on clinical research or digitalization in medicine and health sciences describing the planned research project containing a detailed work schedule (not more than ten pages including references)
• a curriculum vitae, including a publication list and a list of third-party grants
• certificate of university education and PhD
• a letter of support by the (future) cooperation partner from the School of Medicine and Health Sciences* ascertaining the accessibility of any infrastructure necessary for the planned project
• two letters of reference from experts in the field focusing on the applicant’s qualifications, to be sent to the School of Medicine and Health Sciences separately to Dr. Beena Punnamoottil ()

All applications must be submitted in electronic form (one PDF file) to Dr. Beena Punnamoottil (). Please use the Fellowship Application Form, which you can find here: Research Funding // University of Oldenburg

 Evaluation Criteria:

Evaluation criteria are the scientific excellence of the research proposal and of the applicant, the fit of the proposed project with research at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the willingness to contribute to and to profit from a highly interdisciplinary scientific community at both institutions. 

It is desirable that long-term cooperation between the candidate and the local host at Oldenburg will result from the project. Cross-border projects between the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the University Medical Center Groningen are especially welcome.

The University of Oldenburg is dedicated to increasing the percentage of female employees in the field of science. Therefore, female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. In accordance with Lower Saxony regulations (§ 21 Section 3 NHG) female candidates with equal qualifications will be preferentially considered. Applicants with disabilities will be given preference in case of equal qualification.

Applications are evaluated in a two-step procedure by a joint committee of the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and the HWK Scientific Advisory board.

Application deadline: 15.07.2026. 

Decisions will be announced in late autumn 2026. The period of residence will start from 2027 onwards with concrete dates depending on the availability of apartments at the HWK and on the candidate’s schedule. 

For inquiries please contact:

Dr. Beena Punnamoottil () or Dr. Dorothe Poggel (dpoggel@hanse-ias.de).

Benefits:

• lively, diverse, and international community of fellows and research collaborators on the HWK campus
• excellent research infrastructure at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences
• appointment as visiting scientist at the University of Oldenburg with adequate remuneration
• free residence in modern, fully equipped apartments on the HWK campus (family apartments available)
• free transportation (cars, public transportation) for business purposes between the HWK campus and the Oldenburg University
• support with both academic and daily life issues by professional staff at the HWK and the School of Medicine and Health Sciences

Take advantage of the exclusive HWK- Joint Research Fellowship program to build on your scientific expertise and to increase your international collaboration experience. Place the groundwork for a long-lasting research partnership with the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and benefit from the unique atmosphere as well as from the international interdisciplinary networks on the HWK-Campus.

* Please note: A cooperation with a working group at School of Medicine and Health Sciences is required during the fellowship.