The Irish Research Council (IRC) has recently announced details of a major postdoctoral fellowship programme called "CAROLINE - Collaborative Research Fellowships for a Responsive and Innovative Europe". 50 fellowships in total, to be advertised in two batches of 25: the first call is due to open in mid-October 2016 and the second call in May 2017. Fellowships are co-funded by the IRC and the European Commission (under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions programme).
These are excellent postdoctoral opportunities for 'experienced researchers' (holder of doctorate or 4+ years of full-time equivalent research experience) from any discipline interested in research relevant to the sustainable development goals of the UN's 2030 agenda for sustainable development.
Two types of fellowship:
1. International fellowships - 30 fellows
3 years in duration. Hosted by a research performing organisation (RPO) in Ireland (e.g. a university - full list of eligible RPOs
here), with an academic mentor. First two years spent with a partner NGO or international organisation (IO) outside Ireland (outward phase) - for eligible countries see
here. Third year with RPO in Ireland (return phase). Additional secondments to NGOs/IOs/SMEs can be proposed during the outward and inward phases, to a maximum of 6 months in each case.
Indicative salary per annum (fellows will be employed by the RPO throughout):
Outward phase (outside Ireland): EUR 59,000 (with family); EUR 53,000 (without family)
Return phase (in Ireland): EUR 60,000 (with family); EUR 55,000 (without family)
Final salary will be determined by the location of the fellow and the associated cost of living co-efficient associated with the country in question.
Eligibility for international fellowship: Researcher can't have been in the country of the partner NGO/IO for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment. If NGO/IO is in an eligible
third country (i.e. outside the EU and 'associated countries'), the researcher must be a national/resident citizen of an EU Member State or associated country, or continuously active in full-time research in an EU Member State or associated country for 5 years prior to recruitment.
2. Irish fellowships - 20 fellows
2 years in duration. Hosted by RPO in Ireland, with academic mentor. Mandatory main secondment to an NGO or IO in Ireland (between 6 and 12 months). Additional secondments to NGOs/IOs/SMEs (up to 3 months) can be proposed.
Indicative salary per annum (fellows will be employed by the RPO throughout):
Entire fellowship is spent in Ireland: EUR 60,000 (with family); EUR 55,000 (without family)
Eligibility for Irish fellowship: Eligible researchers are those who have not been in Ireland for more than 12 months in the 3 years prior to recruitment.
In the case of both types of fellowship there will be a contribution of EUR 1,752 per annum to the partner NGO/IO to cover overheads. In addition there is an allocation of EUR 9,600 per annum for research, training and networking. These funds will be allocated to the RPO and managed as agreed between the fellow/RPO/NGO/IO.
I would be very interested in speaking with any prospective postdoc candidates/NGOs/IOs who might be interested in developing an application with University College Dublin's law school as the RPO.
Dr. Andrew Jackson
UCD Sutherland School of Law
University College Dublin
Belfield, Dublin 4
Republic of Ireland