Advanced therapies, such as cell and gene therapies, are creating new treatment possibilities for patients with severe and often rare diseases. Turning these scientific advances into treatments that reach patients, however, requires expertise that goes beyond the laboratory. Researchers must understand regulation, manufacturing, clinical translation, and how therapies are introduced into healthcare systems.
BEYOND (Broadening Expertise for YOung Researchers iN aDvanced Cell & Gene Therapies) was created to address this challenge. The programme aims to build a highly skilled workforce in the field of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) by training researchers who are capable of driving innovation and strengthening Europe’s leadership in advanced therapies.
“BEYOND reflects our commitment to training researchers who can navigate the entire pathway from scientific discovery to therapeutic application,” said Ilaria Villa, General Manager of Fondazione Telethon.
A Europe‑wide training network
BEYOND brings together five leading academic institutions across Europe, including Fondazione Telethon and its institutes the San Raffaele-Telethon Institute for Gene Therapy (SR-Tiget) and the Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine (TIGEM) in Italy, the Cambridge Stem Cell Institute at the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom, the National Institute of Chemistry in Ljubljana, Slovenia, and the Lund Stem Cell Center at Lund University in Sweden. The programme also involves non‑academic partners from industry, innovation, and regulatory environments.
Fellows will be employed for three years, with competitive salaries and dedicated funding for research, training, and international mobility.
At Lund University, six postdoctoral fellows will be hosted at the Lund Stem Cell Center in internationally recognised research environments focused on stem cells, neurobiology, and regenerative medicine. Fellows based in Lund will also take part in structured training activities across the BEYOND network, gaining first‑hand insight into the full ATMP value chain, from cutting-edge basic research to translational development, manufacturing, regulation and patient access.
“BEYOND gives postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to pursue ambitious research while also gaining a clear understanding of how advanced therapies move from the laboratory to the clinic,” says Henrik Ahlenius, Associate Professor at Lund University and one of the programme’s supervisors at the Lund Stem Cell Center. “For researchers working in stem cell and neurobiology fields, this combination of strong scientific independence and insight into real‑world translation is essential if we want our work to ultimately benefit patients.”
Training beyond the lab
A defining feature of BEYOND is its integrated, fellow‑centred training model. In addition to conducting independent research projects, fellows will receive training in transferable skills, career development, and intersectoral collaboration.
Non‑academic partners – including innovation clusters and biotech organisations, such as Federchimica Assobiotec, the Italian Association for the Development of Biotechnology, and Medicon Village in Lund, one of Europe’s strongest life science clusters – will contribute secondments, career development activities and training in innovation and entrepreneurship.
“BEYOND responds to Europe’s growing need for scientists who understand both cutting‑edge research and its real‑world impact,” says Srisaiyini Kidnapillai, BEYOND Programme Manager at the Lund Stem Cell Center. “By combining research in leading laboratories with structured training and intersectoral experience, the programme helps fellows develop both scientifically and professionally as they prepare for a wide range of future careers.”
Opportunities for future postdocs
The first BEYOND call for applications opened on 1 May 2026, with selected fellows expected to start in early 2027. The programme is open to researchers from around the world who are motivated to work at the interface of discovery science and therapeutic development.
At the Lund Stem Cell Center, fellows will be supervised by leading researchers Malin Parmar, Zaal Kokaia, Anna Falk, Johan Jakobsson, Daniella Rylander Ottosson, and Henrik Ahlenius, and supported locally by the programme team.
Full details about eligibility, structure, and the application process are available on the BEYOND programme website: https://www.beyond-cofund.eu
