Before you apply to EPFL Fellows - Research Commission EPFL

EPFL Fellows
VPAA-DAR-CR, Station 5, CH-1015 Lausanne
Website: http://commission-recherche.epfl.ch/
Phone : +41 (0)21 693 35 72
Fax : +41 (0)21 693 55 83
E-mail : fellowships@epfl.ch
EPFL Fellows co-funded by Marie Curie
Postdoctoral Fellowships at the EPFL
Frequently Asked Questions
Before you apply to EPFL Fellows
• How many EPFL Fellows are available
• How do I apply and what is the role of the EPFL Fellows mentor (host professor)
• What subjects are covered by EPFL Fellows
• Where can I carry out the EPFL Fellow fellowship
• How much is an EPFL Fellows fellowship worth
• Is an EPFL Fellows fellowship prolongable
• What are the eligibility criteria
• Can I apply if I work at EPFL or in Switzerland
• What criteria are used to assess the applications
• What is the role of the EPFL professor
• Who is entitled to be a host professor
• What information is required from the EPFL host professor
How many EPFL Fellows are available
The program will fund 12 fellowships of a maximum duration of 24 months each year/call. One call
will be published with a deadline of October 1 in 2013 and 2014.
How do I apply and what is the role of the EPFL Fellows mentor (host professor)
You should apply jointly with your mentor, an EPFL Professor who is responsible for the research field
you are interested in, via the online submission platform. You should have arranged in advance a
research plan with your mentor.
What subjects are covered by EPFL Fellows
Applications are prepared jointly by the candidate and the Principle Investigator – mentor of the
fellow – of the host laboratory at EPFL. EPFL Fellows fellowships are available for researchers in all
disciplines that are covered by the research of the EPFL host professors: Architecture, Civil
Engineering, Environmental Sciences & Engineering, Computer Science, Communication Systems
(unique in Switzerland), Mathematical Sciences, Physics, Chemical & biological Engineering, Micro
Engineering (also at MicroCity@Neuchâtel), Electrical & Electronics Engineering, Material Science,
Mechanical Engineering, Life Sciences & Technologies; complemented by the programs of the College
of Management of Technology and the College of Humanity (with the collaboration of other
universities). Candidates choose freely their host laboratory and project, in order to maximize their
gain of new experience or advancement in their scientific career.
International candidates, who are not familiar with the structure of the School and who would like
help to find a possible Principal Investigator for their research proposal can contact the Help Desk.
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EPFL Fellows
VPAA-DAR-CR, Station 5, CH-1015 Lausanne
Website: http://commission-recherche.epfl.ch/
Where can I carry out the EPFL Fellow fellowship
EPFL Fellow fellowships can only be carried out at the EPFL. You need to agree on a research project
with one of the host professors.
How much is an EPFL Fellows fellowship worth
The EPFL Fellows fellowship consists of a salary for two years.
Postdoctoral level 1 st year 2 nd year 3 rd year ≥ 4 th year
Salary (CHF) 81'400 84'400 87'400 90'400
The fellowship will include social benefits such as AVS and AC and family allocations.
Up to 4'500 CHF are awarded for research expenses per year, including travel/mobility allowances
and research costs contributions.
Can an EPFL Fellows fellowship be prolonged
The duration of an EPFL Fellows fellowship is 24 months and cannot be prolonged. Employment after
the initially granted time must be financed from other sources.
What are the eligibility criteria
The eligibility criteria can be found on: Eligibility Criteria
Can I apply if I work at EPFL or in Switzerland
If you have worked at EPFL or in Switzerland for more than 12 months out of the 3 years immediately
before the submission deadline for the proposals, then you are not eligible to apply for EPFL Fellows.
What criteria are used to assess the applications
Criterion 1. Applicant Qualifications Threshold 3.50/5.00 ; Weight 0.25
Issues to be addressed: academic preparation, demonstrated capacity for research excellence based
on track-record, and overall potential to carry out the project successfully.
Criterion 2. Research Project Threshold 3.00/5.00 ; Weight 0.25
Issues to be addressed: importance and originality of the research in a given field – the quality and
novelty of the research proposed and its contribution to addressing an important gap of knowledge;
the adequacy of the chosen approach, methodology and work plan for achieving the scientific and
technological objectives, feasibility and quality of the design/methodology, and how well the
proposal is written.
Criterion 3. Research Environment Threshold 3.00/5.00 ; Weight 0.25
Issues to be addressed: suitability of facilities of the host lab, adequacy of the supervisor’s
operating funds and other supports to carry out the project, opportunities for collegial interaction
and the quality of the partnership; in particular, the scientific/technical competence and expertise of
the host lab at EPFL as well as the complementarities of the host and candidate.
Criterion 4. Career Development Threshold 3.00/5.00 ; Weight 0.25
Issues to be addressed: potential to enhance and advance the applicant’s research training and
impact on the development of the researcher’s career. Special attention will be paid to make
reintegration of scientists possible after a career break. Indeed, EPFL has adopted a clear policy for
equal opportunities for men and women. Therefore, in order to increase the number of women in
research, the School supports the integration into EPFL of women researchers whose scientific
careers have been delayed or interrupted due to family obligations (children) or a change of
residences due to their partner’s career development.
Total Threshold 3.50/5.00
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EPFL Fellows
VPAA-DAR-CR, Station 5, CH-1015 Lausanne
Website: http://commission-recherche.epfl.ch/
What is the role of the EPFL professor
The Principal Investigator (PI) will act as a mentor for EPFL Fellows in order to i) review, consolidate
and improve both their discipline-focused advanced and transferrable skills and to ii) improve their
integration into the EFPL academic and social life and to iii) guide them in their future career plan.
The starting point will be a self-assessment in which the experienced researcher (EPFL Fellow) in
consultation with his/her supervisor (PI) identifies the expertise, skills and competences that need to
be developed, both for a successful completion of the proposed research project and for later use in
a scientific or professional career. This self-assessment will result in a personal career plan. It is the
task of the PI to organize the training events of the fellows and to ensure a good balance between
the different training objectives in order to support their academic/professional career as described
in the personal career plan of the fellow.
Who is entitled to be a host professor
The EPFL professor of Senior Scientist must hold a permanent or fixed-term contract (lasting for the
duration of the EPFL Fellows fellowship). There is no restriction on the number of EPFL Fellows an
EPFL professor can host.
What information is required from the EPFL host professor
The EPFL professor is required to provide details and information on their research career (CV) and
provide a letter of recommendation explaining the reason(s) he/she is prepared to collaborate with
you. You need to jointly elaborate on the research proposal. Furthermore, the host professor needs
to confirm the application in the electronic submission platform.
Submitting your application
• How to Login
• How do I submit my application
• What is the exact deadline
• Can the reference letters be submitted together with the application How many reference
letters are mandatory
• What are the structure and the formal requirements for the project description and the CV
How to Login
As soon as you have negotiated with a Principal Investigator at EPFL the possibility of a postdoctoral
stay, you should connect to the Online Submission platform.
For authentication, you can use your computer account of the EPFL (username and
GASPAR password), or create a temporary account. This authentication allows you to go back on your
own form to complete or to observe the status of your candidacy. The electronic submission form
makes it possible to enter the data necessary for the application and to upload the required
documents.
How do I submit my application
The whole application should be submitted on the EPFL Fellows submission platform provided at the
following link:
Online Submission opens July 1 st , 2013
What is the exact deadline
The exact submission deadline is at midnight on the day of the submission deadline.
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EPFL Fellows
VPAA-DAR-CR, Station 5, CH-1015 Lausanne
Website: http://commission-recherche.epfl.ch/
Can the reference letters be submitted together with the application How many
reference letters are mandatory
No, the referees must submit their reference letters electronically via the online submission
platform. Two reference letters are mandatory.
What are the structure and the formal requirements for the project description and the
CV
For the project description (max 10 pages), the form available in the download area should be used.
The CV (max 2 pages) can be written in a free format, but should contain an ID picture.
Please consult "Guidelines for EPFL Fellows applications" for more details.
During the evaluation of your application
• Can I choose the date of the interview Can I have the interview via Skype
• Do I have to present my project at the interview
• Is it possible to update my application after the submisson
Can I choose the date of the interview Can I have the interview via Skype
At the time when the call will be launched the interview date(s) will be published on the website. It is
impossible to choose another interview date.
An interview via Skype is permitted.
Do I have to present my project at the interview
Short listed candidates (24 candidates per call) are invited for an interview with the members of the
Research Commission of EPFL. The interview is scheduled approximately 3 months after the
submission deadline (for a given submission deadline dates will be announced on the EPFL Fellows
webpage and candidates are asked to be available on all of the dates proposed until they have been
assigned an interview date). The interview will take about 20 min; candidates will not be asked to
give a presentation. During the interview the following elements are addressed: their academic
preparation, research experience and achievement, overall potential to carry out the project
successfully, choice of the host laboratory, motivation and drive and their future career prospects.
The thresholds and weightings for the different criteria are summarized in the table below:
Criterion 1. Applicant Qualifications Threshold 3.50/5.00 ; Weight 0.50
Issues to be addressed: academic preparation, research experience and achievement, and overall
potential to carry out the project successfully.
Criterion 2. Research Environment Threshold 0.00/5.00 ; Weight 0.25
Issues to be addressed: choice of the host laboratory.
Criterion 3. Career Development Threshold 0.00/5.00 ; Weight 0.25
Issues to be addressed: motivation and drive and their future career prospects.
Is it possible to update my application after the submission
No, modifications will not be accepted after the submission deadline.
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EPFL Fellows
VPAA-DAR-CR, Station 5, CH-1015 Lausanne
Website: http://commission-recherche.epfl.ch/
After the decision
• When is the result communicated
• Is it possible to change the starting date of the fellowship
• Where can I find practical information regarding living in Switzerland How do I find
accommodation in Lausanne
• What languages do you speak
• Do I have to provide an annual and final report
When is the result communicated
Candidates are informed approximately 3 months after the submission deadline whether they are
short listed and as such invited for an interview. Candidates who have been invited for an interview
will be informed within approx. 4 months of the submission deadline whether they will be granted an
EPFL Fellows Postdoctoral Fellowship.
See for more details: EPFL Fellows Timeline in Call for applications
Is it possible to change the starting date of the fellowship
You can start immediately after you have received the decision letter and the formal requirements
for the salary payments (contract) have been organized. EPFL Fellows should start at the LATEST 6
months after the decision letter. In exceptional cases, the start of the fellowship can be postponed.
In such cases, your host professor should inform the Fellowships Office about the reasons for this
delay.
Where can I find practical information regarding living in Switzerland How do I find
accommodation in Lausanne
Please consult the information available on:
Living in Switzerland
Living in Lausanne
What languages do you speak
EPFL is situated in the French-speaking part of Switzerland (Suisse Romande), where French is the
language of daily interaction and of most undergraduate teaching. EPFL is also a high-level
international institution: a large proportion of our research and our Master and (post) PhD level
courses are conducted in English. Although you do not need to be able to speak in French to begin a
postdoctoral stay at EPFL, for convenience and personal enrichment we strongly encourage you to
learn the language. A language center on the EPFL campus enables new postdocs to learn French
quickly, efficiently, and free of charge. You also have the opportunity to take courses to help you
bring your level of written and spoken English up to the high standards required in international
research. Courses in two of Switzerland's other national languages, Italian and German, are also
available.
Do I have to provide an annual and final report
An annual and final report should be provided to the Fellowship Office no later than 8 weeks after
the end of the fellowship. A word template is available and can be found on: http://commissionrecherche.epfl.ch/op/edit/EPFLFellowsForms
.
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EPFL Fellows
VPAA-DAR-CR, Station 5, CH-1015 Lausanne
Website: http://commission-recherche.epfl.ch/
Friday, 02 November 2012
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