03 TEMPORARY POSITIONS FOR POST-DOCS

Post-Docs at an early stage in their careers can receive support to set up independent research projects to be run under their own leadership and responsibility. With this funding outstanding publications and the preparation of applications for external funding, including the funding of their own temporary position (e.g. temporary positions for principal investigators [Eigene Stelle DFG] or the Emmy Noether program for young researchers) can be supported. Funding is also available for intensive coaching in the preparation of such applications. Moreover, the Personnel Development Bureau at the University of Bremen offers a range of customized offers to train a broad spectrum of personal skills.

WHO CAN APPLY? Doctoral candidates of the University of Bremen and other universities in Germany or abroad who expect to receive their doctorate within the next half year, as well as post-docs who submitted their doctoral thesis at most one year prior to application (periods of practical training in the teaching and law professions [Referendariatszeiten] do not count).

WHAT CONDITIONS HAVE TO BE MET? Above-average publication output, an innovative and independent project proposal for the post-doc phase and high expectations of achieving the proposed objectives (the evaluation of previous achievement will take periods of child care into account). The cooperating professor has to submit a detailed letter of intent on how candidates are to be integrated within a research context at the University of Bremen while at the same time maintaining a high degree of independence. The respective research context comprises part of the evaluation.

FUNDING CONDITIONS: Temporary post-doc positions are paid pursuant to salary scale E 13 TV-L for a maximum of 24 months. Additionally, there is an allowance of up to €10,000 per year to cover costs of resources, further training and coaching in the preparation of applications. Positions have to be taken up as soon as possible following acceptance of applications. In the event that an application for external funding is submitted within the first 12 months, the temporary bridging position will be extended for a further 12 months. Continuation of funding beyond 24 months will only possible if the external funding institution takes additional time for the processing of the application. 

PROCEDURE: As a rule, applications together with the cooperating professor’s letter of intent can be submitted once a year to the University of Bremen. The respective BFK reaches its decision on the basis of external review, and then passes on eligible applications to the Office of the University President for approval. The number of positions available is shared equally between the natural and engineering sciences and the social sciences and humanities. At least 50% of the positions are reserved especially for women.

Deadline for applications: 01.04.2013, 11:59 p.m.

Any questions regarding your academic integration are to be directed directly to the Bremen professor whose academic unit your project will be associated with and who will have to write a letter of intent. For any other questions, please contact Dr. Uta Brathauer +49-421-218-60325 uta.brathauer@uni-bremen.de.

Information for Applicants[DOC] (97 KB) Declaration[PDF] (415 KB)

Online Application form

The Research Funding Committee and the Rectorate of the University of Bremen will decide on your application based on the following criteria.

1. Applicant`s Qualifications

• First and foremost, outstanding publication activity within the context of the doctoral dissertation (quality, quantity, and significance, taking peer reviewed publications into account as well as sole and first authorship, inasmuch as relevant for the field)
• Networking skills and experience of cooperation in the scientific community (for example, research sojourns in other countries, the organization of conferences, edited works)
• Prizes and other awards for academic achievements

2. Quality of Project

• Originality of the proposed project
• Convincing positioning regarding the "state of the art" in the research field
• Convincing substantiation of line of research/hypotheses
• Purposeful selection of methods/procedures and feasibility
• Plausible work and time schedule as well as adequate financing plan
• If applicable, special significance of the project (e.g. socio-political, regional, relevance of transferability)
• Expectations for future acquisition of third-party funding

3. Integration within the Research Environment of the University of Bremen

• Integration in the research group/institute (thematic fit with the research area)
• Innovative content and individuality of project idea within the context of the hosting research area
• Potential for the development of cooperation with the hosting research area
• Availability of prerequisite infrastructure /equipment