Principal Investigator/Research Group Leader

16 Jan 2026
Job Information

Organisation/Company

Klaipeda University

Research Field

Other

Researcher Profile

First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions

Postdoc Positions

Application Deadline

13 Feb 2026 - 16:00 (Europe/Vilnius)

Country

Lithuania

Type of Contract

Temporary

Job Status

Full-time

Hours Per Week

40

Offer Starting Date

1 Sep 2026

Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Other EU programme

Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Offer Description

Klaipeda University is launching a call for three early-career researchers to apply for the competitive programme “My First Research Team”, aimed to fostering research leadership and strengthening institutional research capacity.

Job type: Principal Investigator/ Research Group Leader 

Qualification: Ph.D. obtained within the past 7 years

Job duration: fixed up to 3-year term. Along with funding of up to EUR 350,000

Job hours: full-time

Discipline:  related to Lithuanian smart specialisation thematic field (https://eimin.lrv.lt/en/sector-activities/innovation/smart-specialization/ ) 

Selected candidates will receive a fixed-term full-time appointment of up to three years, along with funding of up to EUR 350,000. 

Applicants are invited to submit a research and development (R&D) project proposal aligned with the strategic research priorities and infrastructure of Klaipeda University in three RESEARCH TOPICS

1. Bridging Communities and Technology: Promoting Healthy Ageing in Coastal Regions

2. Marine Resources and Smart Technologies for Sustainable Development of the Blue Economy

3. The Impact of Responsible Tourism on the Competitiveness of the Baltic Sea Region Countries

Where to apply

Website

https://www.ku.lt/en/news/call-for-applications-my-first-research-team

Requirements

Research Field

Other

Education Level

PhD or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

Candidate should hold a PhD: time period from the date of obtaining a doctoral degree until the last day of the call deadline should not exceed 7 (seven) years (this period does not include maternity and childbirth leave, paternity leave, parental leave, or periods of long-term incapacity for work). Also, by the last day of the aforementioned deadline, you should not have acted as principal investigator of a research project funded by the Research Council of Lithuania and implemented under the following measures and/or programmes:

- the 2014–2020 EU Structural Funds Investment Action Programme Measure No. 01.2.2-LMT-K-718 “Targeted Research in Smart Specialisation Areas”;

- the 2014–2020 EU Structural Funds Investment Action Programme Measure No. 09.3.3-LMT-K-712 “Development of the Scientific Competence of Scientists, Other Researchers, and Students through Practical Scientific Activities”, excluding measures for promoting students’ scientific activities and for postdoctoral fellowships;

- researchers groups projects;

- the State Programme for Lithuanian Studies 2016–2024;

- short-term research in the fields of health, education, and training;

- national research programmes: Welfare Society, Healthy Ageing, Sustainability of Agro-, Forest and Water Ecosystems, Towards Future Technologies, Modernity in Lithuania;

- competitive priority research programmes: Welfare Society, Strengthening Societal Resilience and Crisis Management in the Context of Contemporary Geopolitical Events;

- the dedicated programme “Information Technologies for the Development of Science and the Knowledge Society”;

-  projects carried out under bilateral and multilateral international agreements: Lithuania–Taiwan projects, the Baltic Research Programme, Lithuania–Poland projects.

Your record should include demonstration of potential in scientific excellence, mentoring, expert activities and disseminating your achievements. Beyond the quality, originality, and feasibility of your research plan, your potential for synergy with other institutions / researchers will be valued.

Specific Requirements

Principal Investigator / Research Group Leader applying for position in Marine Resources and Smart Technologies for Sustainable Development of the Blue Economy should have:

Experience in coordinating and/or implementing interdisciplinary R&D projects in blue biotechnology, environmental biotechnology, or related fields, integrating environmental research, biotechnology, and technological innovation.

Knowledge of phytoplankton biology and aquatic ecology, with a particular emphasis on cyanobacteria, including their distribution, bloom dynamics, and associated risks to ecosystems and human health.

Hands-on experience working with cyanobacterial toxins, particularly microcystins, including sample preparation, handling, and quantitative analysis using validated laboratory methods.

Experience in projects related to bathing water or water quality monitoring, assessment, and improvement, applying scientific, analytical, and technological approaches in accordance with regulatory frameworks.

Understanding of biosensor technologies for rapid, sensitive, and selective detection of harmful substances in aquatic environments, including immunosensors, enzymatic sensors, or molecular-based sensing platforms.

Proficiency in advanced analytical techniques for toxin detection and confirmation, such as LC-MS/MS or comparable methods, and an understanding of their strengths and limitations.

Ability to manage, analyze, and interpret environmental monitoring data, translating complex datasets into actionable insights for biosensor development and decision-making.

Strong communication and stakeholder-engagement skills, with the ability to interact effectively with government authorities, regulatory agencies, e.g. public health or environmental protection institutions.

Ability to identify scientific, technical, and regulatory risks, ensuring that developed biosensor solutions comply with applicable water quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Scientific writing and dissemination skills, including preparation of technical reports, grant proposals, and peer-reviewed publications.

 

Principal Investigator / Research Group Leader applying for position in Bridging Communities and Technology: Promoting Healthy Ageing in Coastal Regions should have:

Proven experience in research and development (R&D) projects in healthy ageing, public health, gerontology, or life-course health, integrating biomedical, behavioral, social, and technological approaches.

Knowledge of ageing processes and determinants of healthy ageing, encompassing physical, cognitive, psychological, and social dimensions across the life course.

Demonstrated expertise in the development and conduct of systematic reviews and meta-analyses in public health, epidemiology, or related fields, including protocol development, comprehensive literature search strategies, risk-of-bias assessment, and quantitative evidence synthesis.

Strong proficiency in statistical analysis using R, Stata, and/or SPSS, with demonstrated ability to perform population-level and epidemiological analyses, including regression modeling, longitudinal analyses, multilevel models, and the analysis of complex survey, cohort, or registry-based data.

Experience working with large-scale population-based, cohort, or clinical datasets related to ageing (e.g., functional capacity, multimorbidity, frailty, physical activity, nutrition, mental health, and quality of life), applying validated indicators and standardized assessment tools.

Solid understanding of epidemiological and public health research methodologies relevant to ageing populations, including observational study designs, causal inference approaches, and the evaluation of preventive, clinical, or community-based interventions.

Ability to manage, analyze, and interpret complex health, social, and epidemiological data, and to translate robust scientific evidence into high-quality outputs, including peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, policy briefs, and competitive research grant proposals.

Strong communication and stakeholder-engagement skills, with the ability to interact effectively with communities, healthcare and social care professionals, policymakers, and third-sector organizations involved in healthy ageing initiatives.

Capacity to identify and manage scientific, technical, ethical, and regulatory risks, ensuring that research activities, data management, and implemented interventions comply with ethical standards, data protection regulations, and health system requirements.

 

Principal Investigator / Research Group Leader applying for position in The Impact of Responsible Tourism on the Competitiveness of the Baltic Sea Region Countries should have:

 

1. Doctoral qualification in economics, with a PhD thesis topic explicitly related to tourism economics (e.g., tourism competitiveness, tourism demand, regional development, or sustainable/ responsible tourism).

2.  Proven experience in coordinating and/or implementing interdisciplinary R&D projects in the fields of tourism, regional development, or sustainable development, preferably involving international consortia and EU or nationally funded research programmes.

3. In-depth knowledge of tourism economics and competitiveness analysis, including familiarity with concepts such as destination competitiveness, value chains, productivity, innovation, and regional economic integration, with a specific interest in the Baltic Sea Region.

4. Strong background in quantitative and/or mixed-methods research, including experience with statistical and econometric tools for analysing tourism flows, competitiveness indicators, and policy impacts (e.g., panel data analysis, input–output or CGE modelling, benchmarking methods).

5. Expertise in responsible and sustainable tourism frameworks, including understanding of environmental, social and governance (ESG) dimensions, certification schemes, and policy instruments that link tourism to regional competitiveness.

6. Experience in working with international and regional datasets, such as tourism statistics, trade and competitiveness indices, environmental and socio-economic indicators, and the ability to integrate data from multiple Baltic Sea Region countries.

7. Capacity to design and lead comparative and case-study based research at destination or country level, integrating stakeholder perspectives (public sector, private sector, civil society) into analytical and policy-relevant outputs.

8. Demonstrated ability to engage with policy and industry stakeholders, including regional development agencies, tourism boards, ministries, business associations and NGOs, and to translate research findings into actionable recommendations for responsible tourism development.

9. Project management and leadership skills, including planning and monitoring of work packages, coordination of interdisciplinary teams, budget oversight, risk management, and reporting to funding bodies at national and EU level.

10. Strong communication and dissemination competences, including scientific writing (peer-reviewed articles, policy briefs, project reports), preparation of grant proposals, and presentation of results at international conferences and stakeholder events.

11. Ability to identify and address scientific, methodological and policy-related risks in the analysis of responsible tourism and competitiveness, ensuring that the project’s outputs are robust, comparable across countries, and relevant to current EU and Baltic Sea Region strategies.

12. Fluency in English (spoken and written) and the ability to work effectively in a multicultural, international research environment; knowledge of at least one Baltic Sea Region language would be considered an asset.

Additional Information
Eligibility criteria

Eligible candidates must hold a PhD degree obtained within the past seven years by the application deadline. Periods of maternity, paternity or parental leave, as well as long-term sick leave, are not included in this time frame. By the application deadline, candidates must not have previously acted as principal investigators of nationally funded research projects specified in the call conditions

Selection process

After the deadline for the submission of R&D project applications has expired each application will be reviewed for administrative eligibility (all mandatory documents have been submitted & the candidate not have previously led an Lithuanian Research Council funded research project under specific national or EU programs)

Only those applications passing administrative eligibility will proceed to formal evaluation:

• Principal investigator’s / Research group leader’s experience;
• Research proposal;

• Compatibility with  research scope and available infrastructure.

  Candidates will be selected based on their professional experience and the quality of their research proposals, as well as their relevance to the institution's research topics and their expected value to the university. The selection process will be organized in accordance with the principles of transparency, objectivity, and non-discrimination.

Website for additional job details

https://www.ku.lt/en/news/call-for-applications-my-first-research-team

Work Location(s)

Number of offers available

3

Company/Institute

Klaipeda University

Country

Lithuania

City

Klaipeda

Postal Code

92294

Street

H. Manto 84

Geofield

Contact

City

Klaipeda

Website

http://www.ku.lt

Street

H. Manto 84

Postal Code

92294

E-Mail

mokslas@ku.lt

STATUS: EXPIRED

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