The International Post-Doc Initiative (IPODI) of the Technische Universität Berlin awards 21 two-year fellowships to outstanding international researchers. The programme is co-funded by the Marie Curie Programme of the European Union (Co-funding of Regional, National, and International Programmes) and is open to all fields of research represented at the TU Berlin. It addresses all excellent female researchers regardless of their nationality or age. Researchers returning from periods of international mobility (researching outside Germany), intersectoral mobility (working in the private sector) or non-academic mobility (e.g. after parental leave) are especially encouraged to apply. IPODI prepares highly-qualified women for leadership positions in science. It is part of an initiative (Wissenschaftlerinnen an die Spitze) that aims at increasing the number of female professors at the TU Berlin. IPODI Fellows will find excellent research conditions in one the seven faculties of the TU Berlin and they will be supported by an experienced mentor. Successful candidates will receive additional training in career development and research management and they will be able to expand their professional networks, within both the academic and the private sector.
Study Subject:
The research proposal has to fit into one of the 275 academic disciplines represented in the seven faculties of the TU Berlin.
Eligibility:
In order to enter the selection process applications have to meet the following criteria:
- The applicant has at least two years and not more than ten years research experience after receiving her doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent). Reference date is the call deadline. In exceptional cases an extension of up to three years is possible, for example after career breaks associated with inter-sectoral mobility (i.e. employment in the private sector) or non-academic mobility (e.g. parental leave or illness). Such career breaks are perceived as advantage in terms of social and organizational competencies and the wider spectrum of experience that such activities may provide and are thus considered within the eligibility criteria.
- The applicant did not reside or carry out her main activity in Germany for more than 12 months in the three years prior to the call deadline.
- The research proposal fits into one of the 275 academic disciplines represented in one of the university’s seven faculties and is supported by a cooperating professor of TU Berlin.
Scholarship Value:
IPODI Fellows will receive:
- A two-year employment contract with salaries equal to those of the Marie Curie Programme for experienced researchers, including social security and health insurance as well as pension coverage (salary scale between E 13 and E 14 TV-L),
- A mobility and a travel allowance,
- A monthly contribution to research costs,
- The opportunity for professional training in career development and research management.
Number of Scholarship:
There are altogether 21 fellowships available. IPODI awards seven fellowships per year (in 2014, 2015, and 2016) in three internationally open selection rounds with international peer-review.
Selection Criteria:
Every application is evaluated by three external reviewers (at least two of them international), who are distinguished experts in the same area of research as the proposals they assess. The external reviewers are asked to evaluate the proposal with regard to i) scientific and personal qualification, ii) quality of the proposal, iii) career perspectives and iv) mentoring perspectives. During its first meeting the IPODI Selection Committee compiles a pre-final ranking list on the basis of the results of the external reviews. Candidates with at least 70% of the maximum point score are invited to Berlin for personal interviews. After the interviews the Selection Committee compiles a final ranking list for funding recommendation on the basis of the results of the external reviews and the results of the interviews.
How to Apply?
Applications have to be submitted in English via the IPODI Application Portal. Required documents include:
- An innovative and independent research proposal and a time plan demonstrating how the proposed objectives are to be achieved,
- A letter of motivation detailing career perspectives and motivation to apply for IPODI,
- A letter of support of a cooperating professor of the TU Berlin,
- Two external letters of reference.
Application Deadline: January 15, 2014.
For further information: IPODI Fellowship Program
