Application for the MSCA postdoctoral supervision and support network

Call for postdocs

Tenure Professors' club at the University of Latvia invites you to apply for our support programme (UL excellenceship) for preparing MSCA postdoctoral fellowship – one proposal for two fundings. If selected, we will help to submit your proposal for MSCA Fellowship and ERA Fellowship. The same application can be submitted to the Latvian calls, if open. Such an opportunity is unique among a few EU so-called widening countries, including Latvia. The submission deadline is the 9th of September 2026. The UL excellenceship progremme includes:

Step-by-step application writing with support from the Research Office;
Guidance from the chosen UL tenure professor;
Participation in the summerschool training;
Coordinated support from the National Contant Point.

N.B! Even with that support, preparing the application requires several months of training in grant writing and actual writing.

Selection of candidates

To be considered for the UL excellence programme, please follow the instructions on this page:

Select a suitable supervisor from the given list;
Complete a self-assessment of your competencies;
Provide key information from your CV;
Answer eight specific questions;
Agree that your data will be processed by an LLM that complies with GDPR;
Agree that you will receive email only if enrolled for the programme.

Complete these steps by the 30th of April 2026 to be enrolled to the UL excellence programme.

Please choose a suitable supervisor.

Supervisors with profiles

Andra Kalnača

I am a full professor in Latvian linguistics at the Faculty of Humanities, University of Latvia. My team consists of linguists who are researchers at the ongoing Latvian Council of Science Fundamental and Applied Research programme project “Database of Latvian Morphemes and Derivational Models (DLMDM)” and the Department of Latvian and Baltic Studies.

The objective of the DLMDM project (https://github.com/MorphLatLang/DLMDM) is creation of a comprehensive digital resource (database) on Latvian derivational morphology, providing structured, machine-readable data on the internal composition of Latvian words and the observable regularities/ patterns underlying the system of Latvian word formation. The scope of theoretical research involved in the implementation of this goal includes data-based/ bottom-up inventorying, classification and analysis, within the broader context of the language system as a whole, of morphemes, morpheme functions and principles governing morpheme combinability/ ordering.

My research interests include morphology, derivational morphology, morphosyntax and morphophonology, functional grammar, pragmatics, modality, and evidentiality. My main research is focused on Latvian grammar and theory of grammar.

I am the author of several monographs and edited volumes, including “Morfēmika un morfonoloģija” [Morphemics and Morphophonology] (2004), “Morfoloģijas stilistika” [Stylistics of Morphology] (2011), “A Typological Perspective on Latvian Grammar” (2014), “Latvian Grammar” (2021; with Ilze Lokmane), and “Insights into the Baltic and Finnic Languages. Contacts, Comparisons and Changes” (2022; eds. Helle Metslang, Miina Norvik, Andra Kalnača). I am the editor-in-chief of the journal “Valoda: nozīme un forma / Language: Meaning and Form” (https://doi.org/10.22364/vnf).

CV: https://research.lu.lv/en/persons/andra-kalnača/

Vladislav Ivanistsev

Prof. Ivanistsev is an associate professor at the Department of Chemistry, elected in 2024 through a national initiative to attract international talent in emerging research domains in the Baltic States. He represents a new generation of researchers in Eastern Europe and is recognised as a regional leader in computational electrochemistry. His position is focused on establishing a research group, with a minimal teaching load and a primary emphasis on supervision and project development. This ensures high availability for MSCA fellows and continuous engagement throughout both the application and implementation phases.

Prof. Ivanistsev combines density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulations to study interfacial phenomena and to predict behaviour in electrochemical systems, including CO2 electrosorption and catalytic transformations. His publication record includes over 50 WoS-indexed peer-reviewed articles, with more than 20 as corresponding author. His work has received over 1600 citations (h-index 23), with key contributions to scaling relations in electrocatalysis, ionic liquid double layer models, and electrochemical CO2 capture.

He has extensive supervision and mentoring experience across all levels. He has supervised dozens of researchers, including BSc, MSc, PhD students, and postdoctoral fellows. He has mentored over 100 members of the Estonian national team at the International Chemistry Olympiad over more than 20 years. His supervision approach is structured and includes regular meetings, defined milestones, and continuous progress monitoring, with a strong focus on career development, including grant writing, project planning, and integration into international collaborations.

Prof. Ivanistsev has a strong track record in securing competitive funding, including MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships, as well as national and EU grants. He has implemented multiple projects as principal investigator and contributed to numerous international collaborations. He provides direct, hands-on support to MSCA applicants, including proposal structuring, writing, and evaluation according to MSCA criteria.

Prof. Ivanistsev is Chair of the Baltic States MSCA Alumni Association, which provides access to a regional network of MSCA fellows and best practices in proposal preparation and project implementation. His recent MSCA supervision outcomes demonstrate consistent success. In the 2024 MSCA call, he consulted 5 applicants, resulting in 3 MSCA PF awards and 2 Seal of Excellence. In the 2025 MSCA call, he consulted 8 applicants, resulting in 3 ERA Fellowships and 2 Seal of Excellence. Across both calls, 10 out of 13 applicants achieved funded or Seal of Excellence outcomes.

CV: https://research.lu.lv/en/persons/vladislav-ivanistsev/

Una Riekstiņa

I am a full professor leading the Advanced Preclinical Modelling and Translational Research Lab at the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Life Sciences, University of Latvia. Our group has strong expertise in advanced cellular and molecular assays to assess cell fate, functionality, and stress responses. These capabilities are further strengthened by microphysiological systems and access to a zebrafish facility, enabling integrated in vitro and in vivo approaches for translational and mechanistic studies.

Our research integrates organ-on-chip (OoC) technologies with induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) models to advance the understanding and treatment of tumor and rare diseases, with a strong focus on translational impact.

We have established iPSC lines from individuals carrying CAPN3 variants associated with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy R1 (LGMD R1), generating a robust platform for personalized therapeutic development, including gene editing strategies.

In parallel, we have developed a microfluidic OoC platform currently employed for drug sensitivity testing in patient-derived pancreatic adenocarcinoma organoids. We are also investigating macrophage-mediated drug resistance in acute myeloid leukemia using advanced three-dimensional organoid systems to better recapitulate the tumor microenvironment.

Our laboratory is further advancing multi-organ chip systems to evaluate drug toxicity and metabolism within physiologically relevant human tissue models.

In addition, we utilize OoC platforms to develop aptamer-based targeted tumor therapies. Our work in aptamer technology extends to the design of highly sensitive biosensors for both infectious and non-communicable diseases, including the ongoing development of a malaria biosensor.

CV: https://research.lu.lv/en/persons/una-riekstiņa/

Evaluate your competencies according to the European competence framework in seven categories: (1) Managing research, (2) Making an impact, (3) Self-management, (4) Cognitive abilities, (5) Working with others, (6) Managing research tools, and (7) Doing research. Select only those competencies for which you can imagine 1–3 examples of how you applied them in the past. This analysis is useful as it ensures more than 15% of your future application’s evaluation.

Managing Research

1. Mobilise Resources

Identify key relevant funding sources and prepare research grant applications in order to obtain funds and grants; write research proposals and pitch ideas to convince potential investors (internal or external to the organisation) of the need to fund research initiatives

Is aware of funding sources for research projects and of the related application procedures Contributes to drafting research proposals Is familiar with key funding sources and can navigate their application procedures Autonomously applies for small research grants and contributes to larger applications Recognises the importance of funding of one’s own institution and own research

2. Manage Projects

Manage and plan various resources (human resources, budget, deadlines, results, quality) necessary for a specific project and for a project portfolio; monitor progress to achieve a goal within set time and budget using project management tools

Is familiar with different project management approaches and tools Participates in projects and delivers results according to deadlines Effectively uses a broad project management toolkit Defines and designs own research projects Identifies risks and implements proper mitigation strategies

3. Negotiate

Exchange ideas while analysing issues and interests; enable opposing sides to resolve disputes and reach an agreement or make decisions to resolve disputes

Knows the fundamentals of negotiation Actively seeks to understand the different viewpoints and motivations of the negotiating parties Contributes to negotiation strategies by developing scenarios and a clear vision Efficiently defends contested arguments Knows how to rebut arguments not supported by evidence

4. Evaluate research

Reflect on research activities and learn from successes and failures based on personal experience, feedback or monitoring and evaluation; assess proposals, progress, impact and outcomes of peer researchers

Evaluates basic research proposals and the quality of primary and secondary research data Effectively assesses and reflects over own research process Provides constructive criticism Gives specific evaluative feedback on research proposals Assesses peers’ research processes Advises peers in evaluating the quality of research data Effectively provides difficult criticism

5. Promote open access publications

Develop a strategy to publish research and identify appropriate publication channels; use open publication strategies when possible; be familiar with IT support for research and management of CRIS and institutional repositories; provide licensing and copyright advice, use bibliometric indicators, and measure research impact

Is familiar with CRIS and the pros and cons of open and closed access publication channels Produces publishable material and actively seeks appropriate outlets Disseminates through a range of publication outlets and seeks open access alternatives Assists peers in using IT to support research Tracks own research impact with appropriate tools

Making an Impact

1. Participate in the publication process

Submit, revise and publish academic research through appropriate dissemination means and participate in peer review processes including open peer review

Understands the processes of publication both in the traditional and in the Open Science paradigm Understands how academics communicate research results Is aware of the diverse outlets for publications and publishes research results with supervision Produces publishable material of high standard Collaborates and co-authors with other researchers Peer reviews publications Disseminates in a range of research outlets (research, professional and public)

2. Disseminate results to the research community

Publicly disclose research results via training, conferences, workshops, colloquia and research publications

Engages in knowledge exchange Understands the different ways that research results can be disclosed Presents at academic conferences Communicates research in an accessible way to a diverse research community Engages in interdisciplinary knowledge exchange

3. Teach in academic or vocational contexts

Instruct students and transfer research content into teaching; supervise and support less experienced researchers

Contributes to teaching at undergraduate level Assists in the supervision of undergraduate projects Is aware of how research interacts with education Develops own teaching style Assists in the development of student research skills Co-supervises postgraduate research projects Seeks ways for own research to influence teaching

4. Communicate to the broad public

Tailor communication of scientific findings to non-specialist audiences using various media formats

Understands and appreciates the value of engaging with the public Listens with attention and speaks with intention Knows the basics of non-scientific argumentation and its differences with scientific argumentation Presents own research at small-scale events Recognises the mutual benefit of public engagement in research Contributes to promoting the public understanding of own research area Knows how to present the value of own research and its evidence to a non-scientific audience

5. Increase the impact of Science on Policy and Society

Enhance the use of research in policy making by engaging with policy makers and presenting research findings in a policy friendly format

Understands the policy-making processes relevant for own field of research Presents findings in a policy friendly format Understands the wider contexts in which policies are situated Recognises the mutual importance of policy making and research Engages in dialogue with government institutions, stakeholders, and other key organisations Is aware of different approaches to knowledge brokering Contributes to science-for-policy outputs

6. Promote open innovation

Apply models, methods and strategies that contribute to innovation through collaboration with external partners

Understands the role of innovation, creativity, and collaboration with external partners in research Can engage in interdisciplinary research Is open to collaboration with external partners Develops new ways of collaborating with external partners on research topics Pursues interdisciplinary research Identifies promising ideas from external partners

7. Promote the transfer of knowledge

Deploy awareness and strategies aimed at maximising the two-way flow of tools, technology, expertise, and knowledge between research and relevant stakeholders

Understands the process of commercial exploitation of research results Recognises the value of embedding academia in innovation communities Appreciates the importance of knowledge exchange within society Develops research ideas with the aims to commercialise them Contributes to knowledge exchange within society Is aware of different methods to commercialise research

Self-management

1. Manage personal professional development

Take responsibility for lifelong learning and continuous professional development; engage in learning to support and update professional competence and develop personal skills; identify priority areas for professional development based on reflection about own practice and through contact with peers and stakeholders; pursue a cycle of self-improvement and develop credible career plans

Actively seeks mentoring for career progression and employability development Actively pursues self and career improvement, and seeks others’ advice on this Purposefully develops professional and personal skills for self and others Maintains own records of achievements and experiences Initiates networks and relationships important to career development Strategically develops both personal and career-oriented skills

2. Show entrepreneurial spirit

Demonstrate a proactive mindset and determination to achieve success in business or successfully create it

Demonstrates initiative and seeks opportunities to create value with own research Understands the potential of commercialising academic research Actively and persistently pursues opportunities to create value with own research Takes calculated risks and performs iterations and tests to get feedback on new ideas

3. Plan self-organisation

Identify and prioritise tasks to work autonomously; develop efficient time management and sustainable work/life balance; understand how to behave and work in a sustainable way, including from the environmental point of view, and be mindful of the impact of own activities on the environment

Manages time in own research projects effectively Works autonomously, but actively seeks guidance when necessary Is aware of how work-related activities affect the environment Establishes own time management systems Is forward thinking and adapts to unexpected changes Sustains a sustainable work/ life balance Actively seeks out environmentally friendly alternatives for work-related activities

4. Cope with pressure

Handle challenges, disruption, and change and recover from set-backs and adversity

Handles unfamiliar and uncomfortable situations with limited support and supervision Perseveres and moves forward in stressful and pressed situations with limited assistance Adapts to new cultural contexts Manages challenges and makes decisions under uncertainty Endures setbacks and failures Demonstrates high tolerance for stress and pressure

Cognitive Abilities

1. Abstract thinking

Demonstrate the ability to use concepts in order to make and understand generalisations, and relate or connect them to other items, events, or experiences

Assimilates concepts from own discipline Establishes relationships with own knowledge Elaborates concepts independently Identifies and understands complex trends and patterns

2. Critical thinking

Exercise critical judgement and thinking, develop own assumptions, and establish a way of working based on critical thinking.

Understands complex arguments Is humble and curious to listen to others’ thoughts Formulates assumptions based on own knowledge and information acquired Consciously tries to avoid biased thinking and behaviour

3. Analytical thinking

Using logic and reasoning to develop alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems and identify their strengths and weaknesses.

Analyses basic information, data, and ideas Assesses and evaluates own findings and datasets Critically analyses complex information, data and ideas from diverse sources Assesses and evaluates findings and datasets of others

4. Strategic thinking

Develop a vision to turn ideas into action. Obtain and synthesize information to identify and explore trends, opportunities, threats (also based on intuition and creativity) to achieve a long‐term goal and to thrive in a competitive, changing environment. Identify alternative paths to turn ideas into action, select the most appropriate approach and adjust where necessary.

Synthesises basic information, data and ideas Creates visionary ideas and/or ways of working Develops a vision and research strategy beyond institutional and disciplinary focus Positions own research in the field’s research landscape and connects it with existing knowledge Critically synthesises complex information, data and ideas from diverse sources Is recognised as a thought leader and as someone who strategically shapes the broader research agenda

5. Systemic thinking

Understand and take account of the characteristics of (inter)national research systems where researchers interact with all relevant stakeholders and of the position of individual researchers and their organisation within the system. Situate research activities within the wider context to improve the understanding of complex issues and identify linkages with related issues.

Differentiates between complicated and complex research, challenges and knows why this distinction matters Understands the national and international research landscape of own discipline Actively engages in collaborative interactions within the research system Understands the research landscape, and the complex interaction between its actors, beyond own discipline

6. Problem solving

Develop and implement solutions to practical, operational or conceptual problems which arise in the execution of work in a wide range of contexts.

Inquires about basic themes of own research Elaborates simple research hypotheses Assesses the effectiveness of own and others’ solutions to research problems Formulates and verifies hypotheses addressing a broad range of research problems

7. Creativity

Develop several ideas and opportunities to create value, including better solutions to existing and new challenges. Explore and experiment with innovative approaches. Combine knowledge and resources to achieve valuable effects.

Is inquisitive, curious, and open-minded Seeks different perspectives Generates, expresses, and tests new ideas and solutions Explores ideas also from different areas

Working with Others

1. Interact professionally

Show consideration to others and professional collegial behaviour; listen, give and receive feedback and respond perceptively to others; engage effectively and in a goal‐directed manner with other people in a professional setting, including staff supervision and leadership

Listens to other people’s ideas with no prejudice Understands the value of collegial behaviour and works professionally and collaboratively Asks colleagues for feedback, advice, and critical appraisal of own work Embraces behaviours that foster effective and positive interactions with colleagues in a goal‐oriented manner

2. Develop networks

Develop alliances, contacts or partnerships and exchange information; foster integrated and open collaborations where stakeholders co‐create shared value; develop your personal profile and make yourself visible in face‐to‐face and online networking environments

Understands the value of collaborative work Builds and fosters working relationships with colleagues Promotes ownself as collaborative and accessible Contributes to multi- or cross-disciplinary collaborative teams Develops collaborative networks and actively includes colleagues Makes use of face‐to‐face and online networking environments for promotion of own profile and research

3. Work in teams

Work confidently within a group with each doing their part in the service of the whole

Works within teams under supervision to produce research outputs Appreciates the impact of own behaviour on teamwork Recognises the importance of team leadership behaviours Understands own priorities and those of own coworkers, creates a cooperative work environment, and thus optimizes the output of teamwork

4. Ensure wellbeing at work

Understand the links between work, physical and mental health and wellbeing; be informed about health promotion and disease prevention to create a healthy work environment

Understands the link between work, physical and mental health and wellbeing Uses support and advisory resources to avoid stress and pressure Considers the needs of others Maintains a leveled work-life balance Is well informed about health promotion and takes responsibility for own work situation

5. Build mentor-mentee relationships

Mentor individuals by providing emotional support, sharing experiences and giving advice to aid personal development; as a mentee, seek guidance and support

Supports others through teaching and advisory activities Acknowledges the importance of receiving mentoring and actively seeks support Encourages less experienced colleagues to seek guidance and advice Acts as a mentor to less experienced colleagues

6. Promote inclusion & diversity

Promote and ensure equality and diversity management in both words and actions; guide and advise colleagues on working in diverse teams and contexts

Appreciates the importance of diversity and its benefits for complex research projects Is open-minded about diverging perspectives and is respectful to individual differences Understands diversity and equality requirements of institutions Actively works with diversity projects

Managing Research Tools

1. Manage research data

Produce and analyse research data originating from qualitative and quantitative research methods. Store and maintain the data in research databases. Support the re-use of research data and be familiar with data management principles, including FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) principles. Make data as open as possible, and as closed as necessary.

Identifies sources of information and assesses if data is trustworthy, valid, reliable and pertinent Knows how to store and organise data in an accessible way digitally Uses, transforms and analyses non-sensitive research data transparently and in accordance with legal and privacy requirements Organises data sets to be findable, accessible, interoperable and reusable (FAIR) and to be easily stored and retrieved in a structured environment Trains and empowers other team members to work with data in a structured, transparent and accessible way

2. Promote citizen science

Engage citizens in research activities and develop protocols for their inclusion at various stages of the research process

Understands that citizens are knowledge-holders with the ability to contribute to the research process Knows the pros and cons of engaging or not engaging with citizens in research endeavours Is inclusive and transparent in the research process and understands how best to engage with citizens in each context Engages all categories of citizens in the research process and integrates them at specific stages

3. Manage intellectual property rights

Deal with legal rights that protect research outputs; advise peers and establish institutional procedures for intellectual property protection

Understands basic concepts of data ownership rules as they apply to own research Knows what copyright, IPR and licensing are and seeks advice from experienced researchers Is familiar with the protection of research outputs, open and wider access and the different licenses related to own research Advises peers and less experienced researchers and acts as a reference on intellectual property

4. Operate open source software

Use open source software beyond licensed tools; understand open source models, licensing schemes and coding practices; promote and contribute to open source development in research

Understands the value of open-source software Is aware of the pros and cons of operating open-source software Writes open-source code under supervision Understands and makes use of relevant open-source licenses Knows and uses the most relevant open-source repositories in own research area

Doing Research

1. Have disciplinary expertise

Demonstrate deep knowledge and complex understanding of a specific research area, including responsible research, research ethics and integrity principles, privacy and GDPR requirements, related to research activities within a specific discipline.

Understands key concepts and relevant knowledge of own research area Keeps track of the latest advances within related fields Is familiar with RRI (Responsible Research and Innovation) and ethical requisites to develop research in own discipline Needs guidance to implement GDPR and privacy requirements Makes original contributions to own research area Supports awareness of societal, political, ethical, and integrity related aspects of knowledge creation in own research area Includes GDPR and privacy requirements in own research activity

2. Perform scientific research

Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by selecting or developing the appropriate scientific approach and by using scientific methods and research techniques based on empirical or measurable observations.

Produces and accesses reliable research data Learns from senior researchers in own institutions and takes part in collaborative research projects Knows how to create, organise, validate, share, store, and curate information and is aware of the risks therein Manages an independent research group Engages in research collaborations outside of own institution

3. Conduct interdisciplinary research

Work and use research findings and data across disciplinary/functional boundaries, including in collaborative settings.

Values the benefits of knowledge from disciplines and domains different from own Engages with and learns from researchers from other disciplines Fosters creativity and critical thinking in inter-disciplinary meetings Leads an inter-disciplinary research group and/or collaborates with colleagues from other disciplines at national and international institutions

4. Write research documents

Draft and edit research, academic or technical texts on different subjects.

Contributes, under supervision, content for research, academic, and technical texts in a style appropriate for readership in own research area Becomes confident with scholarly publishing tools Communicates in a written style appropriate for specialist and non-specialist audiences Supervises and mentors less experienced researchers in academic literacy and writing skills Reviews and edits academic and technical texts

5. Apply research ethics and integrity principles

Apply fundamental ethical principles and legislation to research and innovation, including issues of research integrity. Perform, review, or report research avoiding misconducts such as fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism.

Has a basic understanding of ethical conduct of research and of integrity principles Asks for expert advice when in doubt about ethical decisions Is well versed in the ethical conduct of research Provides advices about ethical issues of research to peers Is alert and attentive to falsification and plagiarism