Apply now for EU funded support to undertake cutting edge research within a high level European Training Network consortium of four research intensive EU universities. You will benefit from a team approach, integrated international mobility, high level subject and transferable skills development oriented to your future employment in research and the wider economy.
‘Legitimation of Newness and Its Impact on EU Agenda for Change’ (LNETN) is an EU-funded Innovative Training Network (ITN) under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA). It is the first ITN to combine Newness, Legitimation and Theory Building. It is designed to train a new generation of Doctoral Graduates with Inter-disciplinary, Inter-sectoral, Inter-technology, International and transferable knowledge, skills and broad vision. More information about the project can be found on www.lnetn.aau.dk.
LNETN offers 15 Early Stage Researchers (ESR)* positions to begin on September 1, 2020 or soon thereafter.
*Note1: Based on national legislation, each beneficiary might have different types of ESR, e.g., Doctoral student, PhD student, or PhD candidate. However, the definition of ESR as per below is used to define eligibility criteria.
You should be a passionate high achieving, early stage researcher, wishing to enrich your intellectual development and career potential through Inter-disciplinary, Inter-sectoral, Inter-technology and International mobility, coupled with high level training in research and transferable competences.
Eligibility criteria:
- Must – at the date of recruitment – be within the first 4 years (full-time equivalent research experience) of your research career and not have a doctoral degree**
- Must not have resided or carried out your main activity (e.g. work, studies) in the country where you have been recruited for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date
- Must demonstrate English proficiency (ability to communicate fluently in English, in oral and written form). This may include a sample of writing or attainment of a degree instructed in English
- Must have a master degree or an equivalent qualification and/or experience at the equivalent level in the academic and/or non-academic environment
**Note: For ITN projects research experience means any professional or academic research activity acquired in any research field in the public or private sector. When calculating the first four years of an ESR's research career, the time spent as full time equivalent research experience is considered and part-time research experience should be counted pro-rata, not as full-time. For example: a candidate who obtained their degree entitling them to embark on a doctorate five years ago and spent the equivalent of two years attending taught classes or working outside of any researcher field and then three years gaining research experience is still eligible as ESR: They are considered to have three years’ research experience. More information about eligibility criteria you may find here.
LNETN PhD projects
The list of all 15 ESR PhD projects is available here.
Application deadline
12pm (Central European Time Zone), March 31, 2020.
How to apply
The application pack must include:
- A motivation letter (1 page).
- A Curriculum Vitae detailing employment and academic history with residence information at least for the past three years listing the names and contact details of your three referees; the European CV format shall be used that can be accessed here.
- A copy of academic degree(s) and respective transcripts.
- An abstract of masters or other relevant thesis (1 page).
- Abstracts (1 page per abstract) for any other publications, academic or non-academic, where the applicant is an author and/or co-author.
- A research proposal for selected ESR project; maximum length of a proposal is 1000 words (excluding bibliography). There is no limit on number of projects that can be applied for.
- Three written recommendation letters attesting to the applicant’s academic standing and potential. Recommendation letters are to be send separately and directly from the referees.
The following guidelines or minimum requirements must be followed:
- All files must be submitted in pdf format.
- File name: ApplicantLastname_docnumber_doctitle (e.g., Smith_2_CV).
- A page outline: A4, 25mm on all margins, single space, Times New Roman 12
- All documents must be English. Where necessary certified (notary) copies and translations into English must be provided.
- For MSc abstract and other publication abstracts, provide – if available – in the respective files links to the full copies of these publications.
- Recommendation letters will: be from an academic supervisor, line manager, and/or company CEO; and contain referees’ contact details;
- File name: ApplicantLastname_docnumber_doctitle_refereelastname
- (e.g.,Smith_7_recommendation_Johnson).
- For selected projects, you should explain in your research proposals how you would carry out the research for the projects selected. You should set out as precisely and clearly as possible what the main focus of your research will be, what your main research questions and proposed methodology will be, and what primary phenomena, texts, or materials you are aiming to examine. We are expecting candidates to place particular emphasis on Inter-disciplinary, Inter-sectoral, Inter-technology, International aspects. Please read carefully through the LNETN profile and ensure that your proposals meet our research objectives.
- File name: ApplicantLastname_docnumber_doctitle (e.g., Smith_6_ESR1).
- The subject line to be inserted in the e-mails: LNETN – ESR application
Selection process
By April 20 2020, the candidates will be shortlisted based on their applications. Informal enquiries are welcomed by the local LNETN Project Leaders on the respective ESR projects.
The selection committee will consist of representatives of all four Beneficiaries.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview via Skype or other video conferencing media. The interviews will be conducted by the local LNETN teams.
The recruitment is expected to be finalized by June 15, 2020.
Applicants to the programme will be assessed on the basis of high academic achievement, the fit of individual projects with the LNETN Profile, and an assessment of each candidate’s potential and commitment to complete high-quality research. The consortium will also take into account principles of gender equality.
The LNETN consortium selection committee assesses each application according to the following criteria:
- Research proposal(s): 30%
- Motivation letter: 25%
- CV: 20%
- Recommendation letters: 15%
- Other (e.g. relevant research/professional experiences/interests): 10%
Recruitment and employment
LNETN consortium is committed to open, transparent, impartial and equitable recruitment and employment process and operation, including a fair gender representation and access for candidates with disabilities (all consortium members have disability units and facilities to support candidates with a disability).
The evaluation criteria will include inter alia demonstration of excellence in academic and/or non-academic performance, scientific skills, high motivation, relevance of research experience, ability to work in international and multi-cultural settings, ability to work collaboratively in teams, credibility, and the impact of the proposed training on ESR career.
The successful candidates will receive a 36-month, full-time employment contract as per MSCA regulations for Early Stage Researchers. More details about recruitment, employability and other related matters you may find here.
Work locations
All 15 ESRs will be recruited and hosted by project beneficiaries: Aalborg University, University of Glasgow, Halmstad University, and University of Oulu.