2020 Call for visiting professors

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.

Selected applicants must exert a considerable impact on the scholarly work (research and education) carried out in relation to the research themes described in the I-SITE’s scientific programme, participate in the active development of the project, and contribute to the international reputation of the host laboratories and the consortium’s institutions. They will be fully immersed in the host laboratory/laboratories, and as such, they will participate in the community life of the I-SITE’s institutions. Researchers will be expected to take part in teaching and training at I-SITE partner institutions.

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 (between 15 and 25%) 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; However minimum periods of attendance are equivalent to two weeks of work (i.e. 10 days of actual work); if one-off derogations are conceivable, organizations - for example - with a fixed day of attendance per week are excluded.

• 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 (€30k maximum per year to be adjusted on a case-by-case basis).

• A salary depending on the remuneration grid for a professor in France (between 4000 and 5000 euros net depending on seniority and the level of international recognition and this in proportion to the number of actual working days)

• A 3500 euros monthly allowance in order to cover personal costs (accommodation, food, transport, etc.) in proportion to the number of actual working days.

• A complete support for the back and forth tickets (in the limit of 5000 euros per year) minimum periods of attendance equivalent to two weeks of work (i.e. 10 days of actual work).

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 (participation in projects with international scope, recognition for scholarly publications, awards – prizes, scholarships, etc. – earned throughout the researcher’s career). 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 (or 67 years old in specific cases) at the end of the recruitment contract.
• 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 (secondyear 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:

• A resume (1-3 pages) with a scientific background (publications and scientific works); the specification of the highest academic title obtained and the birth date;
• A cover letter (1-2 pages);
• A scientific project – with a short summary (7 lines) and key words (Domain, Discipline, Sub-discipline, Subject Specificity) - 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 and showing interest in building a lasting collaboration (thus supporting this combination of activities). This letter is required for the application to be eligible.
• An institutional commitment letter from the host establishment in support of the application project. 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 second call launched in November, 2019, concerns visiting professorships that are scheduled to commence back 2020.

Phase I - Call for Guest Professors and Receipt of Applications

• 15^th November 2019 : publication of the call
• 15^th January 2020 - at 2p.m.: 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
• Recommenations from the institutions
• Evaluation of applications by international experts

Phase III - Applicant Selection

• Before May, 18^th 2020: applicants receive a definitive response.
• From May 19^th 2020: discussions held on practical arrangements for hosting selected individuals.
• Starting september 2020: reception of the recruited professors throuhout the first semester.

How to apply?

Download the application file, fill it and send it to visiting-professor@univ-paris-est.fr before 15^th January 2020.

Printable version of the call for applications

Application form