1 funded PhD position (DC5) in MSCA Doctoral Networks - Istanbul

Candidates reseachers must:

• have MSc level training in computational biology or similar topics such as Chemistry, Biological Sciences, Physics, Biotechnology, Bioengineering or any other field that matches the DC5 project 
• possess scientific skills for the project and research experience 
• possess a good working level of English: candidates must demonstrate during the interview a good ability to understand and express themselves in both written and spoken English, sufficiently high to fully benefit from the experience 
• be highly motivated
• be creative and possess a high level of independency

1. Master degree with thesis

2. Python knowledge is desirable but not mandatory

The following 2 specific requirements (3 and 4) are not mandatory at the moment of application, but the selected candidate will have to proceed with acquiring the requirements in the first months of the contract: 

3. GRE result of at least 151 in the quantitative score type or GMAT result of at least 465 in total

4. English Proficiency Result Certificate (YDS:65, TOEFL:79, YÖKDIL:65) is required.(For English Language Education Program; YDS: 80, YÖKDIL: 80, TOEFL: 96)

Other desired skills:

1. Experience of computational drug design and optimization

2. Ability to learn new concepts and methods are recommended

3. Good basic knowledge of theoretical chemistry

RETORNA fellows will be employed according to the rules for Doctoral Candidates in MSCA DNs and the general regulations of each hosting institution.

The monthly financial package will include the following gross researcher allowances:

1) Living allowance of € 3,400.00 (country correction coefficient applies)

2) Mobility allowance of € 600.00

3) Family allowance of € 660.00 if applicable.

The final net monthly amount depends on the country destination and the family situation.

The guaranteed PhD funding is for 36 months starting from autumn 2023.

Other benefits:

The selected candidates together with other 9 doctorates that will be selected will benefit from a large variety of activities foreseen for them. DCs at RETORNA will be provided with a unique multi-disciplinary and multi-sectoral training. First and foremost, DCs will be trained as scientists, each of them in their host institution, at their research secondments, and through local and network wide events. Next, thanks to the partnership between academic and non-academic entities, DCs will receive multi-sectoral inputs from both worlds. This will happen via lectures and workshops in our varied training program in which all DCs will participate.

• candidates can be of any nationality
• must comply with the following mobility rule: researchers are required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e., move from one country to another) and participate in all the activities foreseen by the project when taking up the appointment (trainings, summer courses, annual meetings, lectures, participation in conferences, public activities).
• possess a Master degree or an equivalent that allows the access to the doctoral program in the BAHÇEŞEHİR ÜNİVERSİTESİ - BAU (read the requirements)
• be, at the date of recruitment, a doctoral candidate (i.e. not already in possession of a doctoral degree). Researchers who have successfully defended their doctoral thesis but who have not yet formally been awarded the doctoral degree will not be considered eligible.
• not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account.

The RETORNA selection procedure is open, transparent, merit-based and in line with the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers and the European Charter for Researchers.

The criteria for recruitment of DCs will respect the principles of non-discrimination contained in The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union.

It is the policy of the RETORNA project to promote and give equal opportunities regardless of gender and stimulate gender balance.

Documents required

Interested candidates should submit the following documents via email to andreea.craciun@ucv.es, indicating in the e-mail title "RETORNA - DC5 application":

• a detailed CV, including – if applicable – relevant publications
• a motivation letter, indicating why you wish to conduct this research project
• two (2) letters of reference
• transcripts of bachelor and master degrees
• English certificate (if the candidate possess one)

We encourage candidates to send any other certificates, representative publications, academic references or links demostrating the experience and interest in the project. 

All documents must be named as "type of document_NameSurname" (i.e. Motivation letter_Andreea Craciun")

Selection process

The selection process will foreseen the following steps:

1.  Eligibility: the RETORNA recruitment committee will check that each application is complete and that applicants fulfil the eligibility criteria described in the previous section.

2. Evaluation: each eligible application will be assessed by the principal investigator. The principal investigator will select up to four candidates for the following steps:

a. Online interviews: online interviews will be scheduled, in person interview will be organized where possible. Short-listed candidates will be invited for an online interview with the supervisor responsible for the research project DC5. At least one member of the recruitment committee will attend the online interviews.

b. Selection results: our recruitment committee will notify short-listed candidates of the results.

c. Hiring process and enrollment: the selected candidate will be put in touch with the principal investigator and the HR Department of the hosting institution to initiate the hiring procedure.

Applicants who have not been successful but who have received a positive evaluation will be put on a waiting list to cover possible withdrawals and future positions.

Recruitment calendar:

• Deadline for applications: 13th of April 2023
• Eligibility and Evaluation: 14th of April 2023 
• Online Interviews: April 2023
• Notification to candidates: first week of May 2023
• Hiring process: May - July 2023
• Start date of the fellowship: September 2023