IMéRA : Call for applications 2017-2018

IMéRA: Laboratory for Cross-disciplinary Exploration

A foundation of Aix-Marseille University, IMéRA is an Institute for Advanced Study, a unique research centre where both emerging and top-level scientists can take advantage of residence schemes to carry out innovative research projects.

IMéRA is specifically aimed at fostering cross-disciplinary projects.

It receives scientists and artists of all disciplines (in residence between 3 and 10 months), as well as a few cross-disciplinary teams with joint projects for short stays (2 to 4 weeks).

Research undertaken at the Institute is meant to develop interaction within social science, within science, between social science and hard, experimental and health sciences, and links between art and science.

The Institute thus contributes to the emergence and development of world-class cross-disciplinary research approaches on Aix-Marseille University ground and grooms young researchers for such approaches.

IMéRA also enthusiastically welcomes projects bearing on Mediterranean territories or submitted by researchers from the Mediterranean rim.

In their applications, candidates should clearly demonstrate their interest in cross-disciplinary projects on the basis of their research or itineraries, by:

• providing a list of already experienced cross-disciplinary collaborations or of publications calling for such collaboration schemes; or
• proposing to start one such collaboration and specifying its characteristics; or
• detailing expected contributions from cross-fertilisation of their own research program with perspectives and intellectual resources of other disciplines.

IMéRA gives preference to high-aspiring research projects conducive to inter-disciplinary collaboration on complex science issues or major society challenges. 

Residents carry out their research in connection with Aix-Marseille University (AMU) teams and laboratories or with partner bodies. It is compulsory to include a letter of interest by an Aix-Marseille University researcher to the application.

A – SCHEDULE

Deadline: 18 November 2016 (this date included)

Duration of residences: 5 or 10 months

Residence periods (to be chosen by the candidates, several choices are possible):

• 11 Sept 2017 to 9 Feb 2018 (5 months) – scientists and artists
• 19 Feb 2018 to 13 July 2018 (5 months) – scientists and artists
• 11 Sept 2017 to 13 July 2018 (10 months) – only scientists

B – WHO CAN QUALIFY

This call is open to scientists with official status and artists of all disciplines, both junior and senior.

To be eligible, scientist applicants must meet the following 3 conditions:

• Not to have lived in France more than 12 months during the three years preceding this call for applications;
• Hold a Doctorate or PhD;
• Hold a university or research position for a minimum of two years as at the closing date of this call for applications.

To be eligible, artist applicants must meet the following 2 conditions:

• Not to have lived in France more than 12 months during the three years preceding this call for applications;
• Carry out a research project in connection with science.

C – SELECTION CRITERIA

Application assessment criteria include, but are not limited to:

• candidate’s course;
• research project;
• interdisciplinary component;
• Relevance of the research project in terms of its connection with the Aix-Marseille area (potential interaction with local facilities, teams and research centres; use of local resources – field, archives, etc.).

D – LIVING CONDITIONS

1- REMUNERATION

Scientist remuneration

Scientists fall into two classes:

• Junior: €2,300 net monthly allowance
• Senior: €3,500 net monthly allowance

Junior class: Researchers who have 2 to 9 years of  full-time research experience after obtaining the PhD (PhD training is not considered in the calculation of experience) as at the closing date of the call for applications.

Senior class: Top-level researchers with minimum 10 years’ experience in full-time research after obtaining the PhD (PhD is not considered in the calculation of experience) as at the closing date of the call for applications, and university professors.

Artist remuneration

IMéRA will pay an allowance or a salary to artists depending on their candidate status.

Artists will receive a €2,300 net monthly allowance.

2. ACCOMMODATION

IMéRA provides free accommodation to residents in one of the apartments of the institute, situated in “Parc Longchamp” in the center of Marseille.

Requests for familial hosting at IMéRA shall absolutely be mentioned in the application form, for consideration. These requests will be satisfied within the constraints of the available accommodations at IMéRA’s disposal, i.e. 14 apartments from which 4 can host families (3 apartments for a couple with one child, 1 for a couple with 2 children).

3. TRANSPORT

IMéRA will pay for the residents’ ticket from their usual place of residence to Marseille and back.

4. RESEARCH MEANS

Within the limits of the available budget, IMéRA can fund missions and initiatives related to research projects.

IMéRA does not finance production means for resident artists planning to make pieces of work.

5. REIDENT COMMITMENTS

The resident accepts the charter of the Institute which involves several commitments, including: residence at the institute, contribution to IMéRA’s activities and publications, participation in the residents’ lunch and seminar every week, and dissemination of information on the resident’s activities and achievements by IMéRA.

http://imera.univ-amu.fr/en/commitments-resident

E –CANDIDATURE

Deadline: 18 November 2016 (this date included)

Applications must be in English or French.

Candidates must submit their applications EXCLUSIVELY on IMéRA’s website (candidatures-imera.univ-amu.fr – contact: pascale.hurtado@univ-amu.fr). Applications sent by e-mail or by post will NOT be considered.

Online applications must include

– Duly completed application form (mandatory fields);

– Files (to be downloaded) including:

– Curriculum Vitae with a list of publications and/or creations/exhibitions;

– Presentation of research project (maximum 5 pages) with selective bibliography;

– A letter of interest by an Aix-Marseille researcher;

– For junior researchers: one to three letters of recommendation.