TWAS-CNPq Postdoctoral Fellowship Programme

The National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq) in Brasilia, Brazil, and TWAS offer up to 10 postdoctoral fellowships each year to young scientists from developing countries (other than Brazil) who wish to pursue postdoctoral research in natural sciences.

Deadline

28 July 2014

Partner

Brazilian Council for Scientific and Technological Development

Country

Brazil

Level

Postdoc

Minimum degree held

PhD

Duration

Minimum of 6 and maximum of 12 months

Field

01-Agricultural Sciences
02-Structural, Cell and Molecular Biology
03-Biological Systems and Organisms
04-Medical and Health Sciences incl. Neurosciences
05-Chemical Sciences
06-Engineering Sciences
07-Astronomy, Space and Earth Sciences
08-Mathematical Sciences
09-Physics

Age limit

45

Sandwich option

no

Programme Details

• TWAS-CNPq Postdoctoral Fellowships are tenable at research institutions in Brazil for a minimum period of six months to a maximum period of twelve months. They are awarded to scientists from developing countries (other than Brazil) to enable them to pursue postdoctoral research in the natural sciences.
• A list of research institutions in Brazil where TWAS-CNPq Fellowships are tenable (CAPES-Conceito 5, 6 and 7) is available for download here: CAPES List.
• CNPq will provide a standard monthly allowance which should be used to cover living costs, such as accommodation, food and health insurance. The monthly stipend will not be convertible into foreign currency.
• Information about living conditions, such as possibilities of accommodation, transportation, and any other issues related to the candidate's stay in Brazil must be obtained locally, directly from the host institution. Neither TWAS nor CNPq can provide this information.
• The research activities are developed in Portuguese in most institutions, but communication will be mainly in English.

Eligibility

Applicants for these fellowships must meet the following criteria:

• Be a maximum age of 45 years on 31 December of the application year.
• Must not hold a visa for permanent or temporary residency in Brazil or in a developed country.
• Hold a PhD degree in a field of the natural sciences.
• Be a regular employee in a developing country (other than Brazil) and hold a research assignment there.
• Provide evidence that s/he will return to her/his home country on completion of the fellowship.
• Not take up other assignments during the period of her/his fellowship.
• Provide an official acceptance letter from the host institution (please refer to the sample available at the CNPq weblink http://www.cnpq.br/web/guest/chamadas-publicas) . Only CAPES-listed (levels 5, 6 or 7) Brazilian institutions are eligible (see point 2 above).
• Prove knowledge of Portuguese or provide a certificate of proficiency in Spanish or English (if these languages are not the candidate's mother tongue).
• Have an updated Curriculum Vitae on CNPq’s Lattes Platform (see note on online applications below).
• Present a detailed research plan agreed by her/his host supervisor.
• Be financially responsible for any accompanying family members.

Submitting your application

• Applications to the TWAS-CNPq Fellowships must be submitted online only.
• The call for applications where you will find the programme details, eligibility criteria, required documents and certificates as well as the online application form is available via http://www.cnpq.br/web/guest/chamadas-publicas
• Applicants must be aware that CNPq and TWAS will not accept applications submitted by any other means except via the online application form.
• The call for applications for 2014 is currently open and will remain open until 28 July 2014. No applications will be accepted after the deadline. Therefore, it is recommended to submit your electronic application as early as possible.
• Incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Applicants should submit the Acceptance Letter from a CAPES-listed institution to CNPq when applying. Without preliminary acceptance, the application will not be considered for selection.
• Queries concerning the call for applications to the TWAS-CNPq Fellowships programmes should be directed to: twas.ascin@cnpq.br
• Applicants should be aware that they can apply for only one fellowship per year. With the exception of theVisiting Scientists programme, all other fellowship programmes offered by TWAS and OWSD are mutually exclusive.

Downloads

Contact Details

• TWAS Fellowships Office
ICTP Campus, Strada Costiera 11
34151 Trieste, Italy
Phone: +39 040 2240-314
Fax: +39 040 2240-689
E-mail: fellowships@twas.org

• National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq)
International Cooperation Office (ASCIN)
SHIS Quadra 01 Conjunto B, Bloco "D",
Edificio Santos Dumont
Lago sul Brasília, DF, CEP: 71605-001
Brazil
Phone: +55 61 3211-9441
Fax: +55 61 2108-9442
E-mail: twas.ascin@cnpq.br

Post-doc position (22 months) in modeling plant biodiversity data, IMBE, University Aix-Marseille, France

Position Location: IMBE, (http://www.imbe.fr), University Aix-Marseille, France

Position Description:

A post-doc position is available in the Mediterranean Institute for Biodiversity and Ecology (IMBE) a joint CNRS and University institute with 220 permanent researchers in the field of terrestrial and marine ecology. The position will last two years and is based in IMBE, directed by Thierry Tatoni and Wolfgang Cramer, this program is directed by Agathe Leriche, Cécile Albert and Arne Saatkamp, in Marseille, France - a region noted for its access to outdoor activities.

We target to start this post-doc in February 2014. The post-doc will be part of a larger European neighborhood partnership project (ENPI) with research groups from Rome and Cagliari (Italy), Alexandria (Egypt), Beirut (Lebanon) and Sfax (Tunisia) on vulnerability of coastal ecosystems. This post-doc will deal with existing GIS and floristic databases and the candidate will interact with researchers in our lab working on a broad range of projects in climate/global change impacts, macroecological patterns, phylogeography, functional ecology, landscape ecology and conservation biology.

The project aims to model the impacts of fragmentation (spatial organization), habitat degradation (land use change) on plant biodiversity of coastal ecosystems. In this project we aim to fit to data, plant distribution models (accounting for spatial explicit migration, neutral (stochastic) processes and community assembly rules) in order to assess the impact of spatial configuration on plant diversity and be able to simulate potential future changes in spatial configuration of these habitats. This project will benefit from a large data base of plant distributions and co-occurrences as well as extensive environmental and phylogenetic data gathered in previous projects and will be in contact with other regional to large scale model project in our institute.

We look for a person with a Ph.D. in landscape ecology, plant ecology, biogeography, global change ecology/geography and with strong mathematical/modeling skills willing to work with spatial explicit biodiversity data. A background in distribution (niche) modeling, neutral theory of biodiversity & biogeography and modeling of dispersal processes at the landscape level will be particularly helpful. We look for a candidate with excellent English language and especially writing skills (publication record), willingness to work in a team and strong experience in modeling techniques in one of the above fields, knowledge of using R. Knowledge of French language or willing to learn basics is a plus, but not required. Salary will correspond to French post-doc researcher positions which include social assurance coverage.

For more information regarding the position contact Dr. Arne Saatkamp (arne.saatkamp@imbe.fr). For application, please supply a single PDF document including: (i) a one page statement of interest and prospectives concerning the project, (ii) a 2 page curriculum vitae including publication record and (iii) two reference contacts that are willing to give information on your previous work (mail & phone), applications as early as possible, the position will be assigned at latest 31. January 2014.

The Guest Scholarship Programme for post-doctoral research in Sweden

The programme aims at strengthening and developing research relevant to capacity building and fighting poverty in programme countries. An estimated 20 scholarships will be offered for the academic year 2014/2015.

The scholarship application call for the academic year 2014/2015 is now open. Application deadline is 24:00 CET, Wednesday, 15 January 2014.

Countries

The programme is targeted at candidates from the following countries: Bangladesh, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia.

Target group

The programme provides researchers with a PhD degree with an opportunity to conduct research at Swedish universities and research institutes. Priority will be given to applicants with a PhD degree from 2009 or later.

Duration of scholarship

The scholarships will be granted for long-term visits (6, 9 or 12 months) during the academic year 2014/2015 (1 September 2014 to 31 August 2015).

Fields of research

The following disciplines only are eligible during this call for applications:

• Agricultural Sciences
• Natural Sciences
• Technology
• Environmental Science related to Agricultural Sciences or Natural Sciences or Technology

The next call for applications for the academic year 2015/2016 will be open for the following disciplines only:

• Business and Social Sciences
• Health and Medicine
• Environmental Science related to Social Sciences

Scholarship benefits

The scholarship amounts to SEK 18,000 per month. The scholarship includes one travel grant of SEK 15,000 and insurance coverage. The scholarship cannot be prolonged or extended.

SI Network for Future Global Leaders

All Swedish Institute scholarship holders are invited to become members of the SI Network for Future Global Leaders; a network which offers unique opportunities during and after the stay in Sweden. Together with other talented people from all around the world, the scholarship holder is invited to take part in a variety of events, exchange ideas and create networks which benefit both career and personal development.

Who is eligible?

The scholarships are intended for holders of a PhD degree within any of the above-mentioned disciplines eligible for 2014/2015 for full-time research in Sweden. The applicant is not eligible for this scholarship if any of the following is true:

• Has already lived in Sweden for two or more years when the scholarship period is due to begin.
• Already has a Swedish permanent residence permit.

Applicants who have previously been awarded a scholarship from SI for study or research at a Swedish university will not be given priority.

Selection criteria and areas of priority

Applications are evaluated by the Swedish Institute and an academic board. The primary evaluation of the application takes into account the applicant’s academic background and personal motivation, research quality and expertise in the project field of the host department. Also the strength of the research proposal with regard to its scientific quality, originality, methodological approach, and relevance is evaluated. In the final selection of candidates SI will consider the distribution of scholarships with regards to academic fields, universities, purpose of study, nationality and gender.

The application should clearly state how your research project can contribute to the development in your country.

Insurance

Scholarship holders are insured by the Swedish State Group Insurance against illness and accident during the scholarship period.

Scholarship limitations

• The scholarship is designed to cover living costs for the scholarship holder. There are no grants for family members. No funding for bench fees is provided.
• The granted scholarship period cannot be altered or extended. In case of a postponed arrival date, the scholarship period can be decreased accordingly.

How to apply

Please read the application instructions here.

Application deadline

The scholarship application call for the academic year 2014/2015 is now open. Application deadline is 24:00 CET, Wednesday, 15 January 2014.

PostDoc position – Transdisciplinary research to reduce post-harvest losses and to add value in food value chains

Call for application [» download PDF]

Organisation/Project: DITSL at the University of Kassel, GlobE Project: RELOAD
Application deadline: April, 30^st 2013 or until the position is filled

DITSL is a non-profit limited liability company (GmbH) at the Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences of the University of Kassel at Witzenhausen. DITSL conducts research on agricultural systems as human activity systems following an inter- and transdisciplinary social-ecological approach.

We are looking for a dynamic, highly motivated and innovative scientist for a Post Doc position in the frame of the collaborative research project RELOAD: Reduction of Post Harvest Losses and Value Addition in East African Food Value Chains. The project is funded by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and led by the University of Kassel in Germany.

Within RELOAD, DITSL leads the subproject “Transdisciplinary research: Stakeholder processes, knowledge integration and collaborative learning”. We will investigate food value chains (mainly milk and meat and to some extent vegetables, grains and tubers) as human activity systems, with a focus on communication, collaboration and competition of various actors. Research will focus on actors, their goals, perspectives, strategies, activities, needs and room for maneuvre. Starting out from a stakeholder analysis and the formation of stakeholder platforms, we will offer learning opportunities to the actors to reveal control options in food value chains - so that losses can be reduced and value addition enhanced. We will explore possibilities for collective action by producer groups to bring about benefits especially in the areas of strengthening marketing capacity and market linkages.

The Post Doc:

• will lead research activities in Kenya and is expected to conduct field research for about 4 - 6 months per year,
• will advance methodology in transdisciplinary research,
• will contribute to capacity building through training of PhD and MSc students,
• will support project management (financial, logistic, reporting),
• will coordinate the research activities with other partners in the RELOAD project.

We offer a Post Doc position (TV_L 13, 80 %) for 3 years starting 1^st of July 2013. The project contains the research funds to pursue extended empirical research abroad.

Qualifications of the applicant:

• PhD in agricultural/rural -sociology, -economics, -development or -system science, human or economic geography, organizational behaviour or related discipline.
• Practical experience in (community based) action research, in designing and facilitating learning processes with producer organisations or in value chain development.
• Interest and experience in working with scientists of other disciplines and with societal stakeholders in Kenya (and to a limited extent in Ethiopia and Uganda).
• Fluency in spoken and written English. Knowledge of German and/or Kiswahili is an asset.
• Very good writing skills, team work orientation and good communication skills.

Female and male applicants are equally encouraged to apply for this position.

Application documents:

• A letter of motivation
• Curriculum Vitae
• Publication list
• Summary of the PhD thesis
• Copies of relevant certificates
• Contact details of 2-3 referees

Please submit these documents by email in a single PDF file to PD Dr. Brigitte Kaufmann ( b.kaufmann@ditsl.org).

Candidate screening will start May 1^st 2013 and continue until the position is filled.
Contact: PD Dr. Brigitte Kaufmann, DITSL GmbH Witzenhausen at the University of Kassel Steinstrasse 19, 37213 Witzenhausen, Phone: +49 (0) 5542 607 19 (direct)