SciLifeLab Voices: Mia Bäckström & Disa Larsson Hammarlöf

Hi Mia and Disa, can you tell us a bit about yourselves, what you do, and how you ended up coordinating the SciLifeLab PULSE MSCA-COFUND program?

Disa
I work as a Research Coordinator at the SciLifeLab Operations Office. In this role, I lead efforts to support and develop SciLifeLab’s research community. I’m passionate about creating opportunities for researchers to grow and collaborate—something we put a strong focus on at SciLifeLab. This includes everything from helping junior researchers build successful careers in life science, to enabling interdisciplinary collaborations that can address major societal challenges.

I got involved in the PULSE initiative early on, back in 2021, when the need for a strong, internationally competitive SciLifeLab postdoc program was identified. The idea was sparked by our community of SciLifeLab Fellows—junior group leaders—who saw the potential for a program that could attract top postdoc talent. The vision was to build on SciLifeLab’s vibrant research environment, access to cutting-edge technologies through our infrastructure, and the proven support structures of the Fellows program. Together, this created the foundation for a postdoc program where researchers can truly thrive.

Coming from a research background myself, I know how important it is to have strong support and good mentors. That’s why PULSE is built around these principles, along with a focus on leadership, collaboration across disciplines, and long-term career development. The program has been shaped through the insights and contributions of many dedicated people, to truly give postdocs the best chance to grow into future leaders.

Mia
As administrative coordinator at the Office for SciLifeLab in Uppsala, I have various responsibilities. For example, I am the local HR representative, supporting recruitment processes and handling staff matters. Furthermore, I coordinate Meeting Place Navet, which includes scheduling meeting room bookings and managing daily follow-ups with the cleaning staff and our technician, Johan.

In addition, I arrange an exhibition in Navet every spring and autumn, where around 30 life science companies are given the opportunity to present their products and technologies to the SciLifeLab community.

Regarding PULSE, in 2023, when it was time to apply to the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) COFUND for the SciLifeLab PULSE postdoctoral program for the second time, Disa asked me if I was interested in taking on the role of program coordinator. Since we had previously worked very well together on other projects, it was an easy decision to say yes to this exciting opportunity.

How has the interest in PULSE been so far? Any statistics that stand out?

Disa
We’ve seen great interest in the PULSE program right from the build-up phase and continuing into the launch. There’s been strong commitment from the PULSE consortium—comprising nine university partners and an additional 24 partners from industry, research infrastructures, institutes, and associations. Hundreds of PIs have expressed interest in recruiting a PULSE postdoc, and we’ve received applications from many truly excellent candidates.

Out of 45 applications, 32 were invited to the interview stage following a very stringent evaluation based on excellence, impact, and project implementation. Diversity is a strong focus for us, and we were excited to receive applications from scientists of 27 nationalities, applying from 22 different countries.

We’re also grateful for opportunities to ‘pay it forward’—for instance, by sharing insights during the session “How can you strategically strengthen your application?” at Vinnova’s Horisont Europa – Framtidens innovationer och forskning on March 27, and by supporting the launch of other postdoc program initiatives.

Mia
We are really proud of the fact that more than 65% of the applicants in the first call are women. This shows that our outreach efforts to attract women to postdoctoral positions in life science have been successful. It also aligns very well with one of the MSCA goals: promoting gender diversity.

If you could give just one piece of advice to someone looking to start a similar program, what would it be?

Disa
Starting a postdoc program (through a MSCA-COFUND application) is more than just a bid for funding—it’s a strategic step to strengthen your research environment, international networks, and future grant-readiness. Begin early, involve both leadership and researchers, and make sure the program reflects real needs in your organization. Bringing in external writing support and learning from others who’ve gone through the process can make a big difference. Most importantly, make sure you have a dedicated coordinator and the resources in place to manage the complexity—it’s a big effort, but one that pays off.

Mia
Do your research—are there any existing programs that could inspire you? Seek help from someone experienced in writing MSCA applications. There’s a lot to consider, and it can be tricky to understand all the requirements. Allocate plenty of time—you’ll definitely need it. But it’s absolutely worth it in the end!

Summer is here! What’s your favorite part about this time of year?

Disa
Oh, so many things—the light from early morning to late night, the fresh spring growth, that fleeting moment between the bloom of bird cherry (hägg) and lilac (syren), and being able to go for a run in shorts!

Mia
That’s an easy one: the sun and weekends at our summer cottage by the coast.