04 INDEPENDENT PROJECTS FOR POST-DOCS

Advanced post-docs are to receive the opportunity to conduct their own independent research projects in an optimally conducive environment, network in their respective scientific communities, and pave the way for professorships. 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? Post-docs from Germany and abroad who received their doctorate at least one year and at most four years prior to application.

WHAT CONDITIONS HAVE TO BE MET? Excellent doctoral thesis, above-average publication output, an excellent independent project proposal 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: Post-doc positions are paid pursuant to salary scale E 13/14 TV-L for a maximum of 48 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 proposals. Research stays abroad are permissible up to a maximum period of nine months. Unlike the so-called junior professorships pursuant to the “Bremen Model“ (competitive tenure track) it is not intended that the position at the University of Bremen will become permanent.

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 University's respective Research Funding Committee 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: 1st April 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] (93 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

• Contribution of doctoral dissertation to development of the research field
• Outstanding publication activity (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, international cooperation projects, the organization of conferences, edited works)
• Leadership and management experience or recognizable potential (including gender and diversity competence)
• Prizes and other awards for academic achievement

2. Quality of Project

• Originality and quality of project
• Convincing positioning regarding the "state of the art" in the research field
• Convincing substantiation of line of research/hypotheses
• Convincing preparatory work/previous experience
• Purposeful selection of methods/procedures and feasibility
• Comprehensive and realistic work and time schedule together with adequate financing plan
• If applicable, special significance of the project (e.g. socio-political, regional, relevance of transferability)
• Suitability of project for the applicant's advancement within the context of the funding objectives (qualification for a professorship, networking in the scientific community)

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