In link with the “Funds for Excellence” action, Université Paris-Est publishes a new call for applications aimed at bringing in first-class international researchers to contribute to the FUTURE project for an approximate share of 20% of their work time (a percentage that will vary between 15% to 25%, depending on the project in question) over a period of 3 years, via at least one research laboratory under the supervision of an I-SITE consortium institution. 

Presentation

In link with the "Funds for Excellence" action, Université Paris-Est publishes a new call for applications aimed at bringing in first-class international researchers to contribute to the FUTURE project for an approximate share of 20% of their work time (a percentage that will vary between 15% to 25%, depending on the project in question) over a period of 3 years, via at least one research laboratory under the supervision of an I-SITE consortium institution. 

The central premise consists of bringing in first-class researchers to contribute to our project for an approximate share of 20% of their work time (a percentage that will vary between 15% to 25%, depending on the project in question) over a period of 3 years, via at least one research laboratory under the supervision of an I-Site consortium institution.

Nature of the "positions" available

The invitation for ‘guest professors’ can be described as follows:

• Immersion in a laboratory belonging to one of the I-Site consortium institutions (the host site), with the possibility of working with a second laboratory/institution from the consortium;
• A period of three years in a part-time (20%) role in the host laboratory/laboratories; Arrangements for the researcher’s presence will be agreed upon with the applicant each year, and will depend on his or her ongoing projects;
• Financial, material, and physical resources made available by host laboratories to fund the researcher’s proposed scientific and teaching project (PhD students, postdocs, offices, equipment, etc.)
• Involvement in teaching second-year master’s/PhD courses or academic workshops and seminars.

In addition, the I-Site project will pay guest professors a fixed amount of compensation (around €30k per year for a 20% share of their time, to be adjusted on a case-by-case basis).

• A salary depending on the remuneration grid for a professor in France
• A 3,500 euros monthly allowance in order to cover personal costs (accommodation, food, transport, etc).
• A complete support for the back and forth tickets (in the limit of 5,000 euros per year).

Applicants sought by the I-SITE

For this programme, the I-Site is seeking applicants who:

• Are seasoned, top-notch international researchers who are well-known for their work in a field related to the I-Site’s research themes. However, the call for professors is not limited to ‘senior’ researchers, and applications from permanent researchers and lecturers are also welcome;
• Are less than 65 years old at the end of the recruitment contract.
• Have a ‘profile of excellence’ (participation in projects with international scope, recognition for scholarly publications, awards – prizes, scholarships, etc. – earned throughout the researcher’s career);
• Show an ability to create a lasting, ambitious international project for collaboration between his or her home institution (university, college, laboratory, centre, etc.) and the I-Site;
• Show real teamwork skills and the ability to take part in a new group;
• Are willing to teach during this visit, generally for 30 hours over three years (second-year master’s and PhD courses, presentations at seminars and workshops, summer school, etc.), with teaching that is innovative and open to the international stage within the host institution.
• OR Are able to develop projects in relation with national or international socio-economic partners (international institutions or network, key accounts, SMEs, startups, etc).

Applicants must make a proposal for a scientific project. This project must:

• Involve one or two research laboratories from an I-Site consortium institution (if more than one is involved, applicants should specify the ‘primary’ laboratory);
• Explain how it fits into the I-Site’s research themes;
• Explain how the guest professor imagines his or her immersion in the host laboratory and his or her proposed scientific contribution;
• Explain how the invitation creates lasting prospects for collaboration with the home institution and/or allows us to take part in international networks;
• Describe one or more possibilities for contributing to the educational offering available at I-Site institutions.

Applications format

Applications (in English) must include the following elements:

• An Account of the Scientific Titles and Works of the researcher;
• A cover letter (1-2 pages);
• A scientific project for integration into the I-Site laboratory/laboratories and prospects for building a lasting collaboration with the applicant’s home institution (approximately 10 pages);
• A proposal for contributing to the I-Site’s educational offering (1-3 pages);
• An institutional commitment letter from the home establishment in support of the application project.

The host laboratory/laboratories concerned by your project will be asked to assess it, with the same deadline as the one applicable to your application. More specifically, for each application, the host research unit will provide:

• an assessment of your application and scientific project;
• an assessment of the possibility for integrating your scientific project into its own project;
• the resources that will be made available by the research unit and the entities under its supervision (and any additional resources that it may request) for the completion of the project.

As such, you are strongly advised to contact the research unit(s) that you plan to include in your application. All the necessary contact information is available on the institutions’ websites, and additional information can be obtained by email at aap.recherche@future-isite.fr

Evaluation criteria for applications

Applications will be evaluated on the basis of three criteria:

• The applicant’s excellence;
• The originality, added value, and interest of the scientific proposal for the I-Site (potential for developing research in the host laboratory in relation to the I-Site’s research themes, contribution to the international reputation of the host laboratory and the institutions, prospects for lasting collaboration with the guest professor’s home institution);
• The applicant’s proposed contribution to the I-Site’s educational offering.

Recruitment procedure and schedule

This initial call, released at the beginning of 2019, concerns visiting professorships that are not scheduled to commence before 2019. The plan is to issue regular calls for professors (every 6 months), but the publication of future calls will be confirmed at a later date.

The schedule for the initial call, and for the receipt, evaluation, and selection of applications, is provided below.

Phase I – Call for Guest Professors and Receipt of Applications

• 10 January 2019: publication of the call
• 28 February 2019: receipt of applications in English by email at visiting-professor@univ-paris-est.fr

Phase II – Evaluation of Applications

• verification of the validity of applications
• recommendations from the institutions
• evaluation of applications by international experts

Phase III – Applicant Selection

• early June 2019: applicants receive a definitive response
• beginning in June 2019: discussions held on practical arrangements for hosting selected individuals.

How to apply?

Download the application file, fill it and send it to visiting-professor@univ-paris-est.fr 

before 28 February 2019.

Contacts

If you have any questions regarding this call for applications, please contact aap.recherche@future-isite.fr