SPARTAN Short-term Fellowships Programme Information

This webpage is a collection of useful information for visitors to the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester, through the SPARTAN Programme (Centre of Excellence for Space, Planetary and Astrophysics Research Training and Networking). The SPARTAN is one of the programmes funded by the EU Framework Programme 6 (FP6) Marie Curie Host Fellowships Actions for Early Stage Research Training (EST).

Email: ao64@ion.le.ac.uk

The SPARTAN short-term fellowship programme has ended

Documents

Application letter (doc) (pdf)

Marie Curie Host Actions questionnaire

Report (doc) (pdf)

Before you apply

Update (30 June 2008) Consider the criteria of appointments regarding your researcher status and transnational mobility:

• EARLY STAGE RESEARCHER STATUS: Early stage researchers are defined as researchers in the first four (full-time equivalent) of their research activity, including the period of research training. The reference period starts from obtaining a diploma giving access to doctoral studies in the country the diploma was obtained and covers the first four years of experience in research or the period until a doctoral degree is obtained, whichever is shorter (FP6 documents).

• MOBILITY: The fellows are required to undertake transnational mobility to take up their appointment. They cannot be nationals of the host organisation country (United Kingdom in the case of SPARTAN) and at the start of their fellowship they must have not resided in the host organisation country for more than twelve months in the last three years prior to the start date of the fellowship. If they hold multiple nationalities they are allowed to take up an appointment in the country of their nationality where they have not resided during previous five years. Short stays such as holidays are not taken into account. (FP6 and Marie Curie EST documents)

• CURRENT STATUS: We also require you are registered to a Ph.D. programme at a recognised institution of higher education (in the EU countries or associated countries or so called third countries, defined in the Framework Programme 6 and Marie Curie EST documents).

Applying

To apply for a SPARTAN short-term fellowship you have to submit:

• APPLICATION LETTER: a short description of the research project you plan to do in Leicester including the objectives and plan of your visit.
• HOME SUPERVISOR SUPPORT LETTER: a statement from your own supervisor agreeing with your visit and project.
• LEICESTER SUPERVISOR AGREEMENT: a statement from your Leicester supervisor agreeing with your visit and project.
• CV: your education and job experience to date (degrees, titles, dates and locations).
• These can all be sent by e-mail to Prof. Martin Barstow (mab[at]star.le.ac.uk) and Dr. Anna Odzimek (ao64[at]ion.le.ac.uk).

Update (23 July 2008): To speed up the assessment of your eligibility for Marie Curie Host Actions and calculation of your salary please complete the following questionnaire and submit with your application.

Update (21 July 2008): Due to legal requirements of employment in the UK any applicants applying for fellowship longer than 3 months need to undergo full recruitment process at the university. This means they should provide (besides a CV) three reference letters, completed university application form (different from the SPARTAN application letter), and undergo an interview (phone interviews possible).

Update (5 June 2008): Your application letter should contain details of the proposed visit including a document called Personal Career Development Plan (PCDP). This should be a summary of the scientific and training objectives of your visit and how you plan to achieve it. Please also give arguments for how you would benefit from the fellowship in terms of your career as a researcher. The PCDP will be part of your contract you will sign with the University of Leicester if you succeed with your application.

Please note that you should contact your potential supervisors at Leicester first and develop this plan with the one who agrees to be your supervisor here as well as with your home supervisor.

Please use this template document for your application letter doc pdf

After your visit

When you complete your visit you will be asked to write a short report according to the following outline: doc pdf
Please send your report to A. Odzimek (ao64[at]ion.le.ac.uk)

Details

This is taken from the SPARTAN project document and management decisions.

• WHAT: A 3 to 6 months period at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Leicester.
• SALARY: You will be asked to sign a contract with the University and you will receive an appropriate monthly salary. Your salary and travel allowance (see below) will be higher if you have family commitments.
• SUPERVISION: You will refer to your supervisor for any science/training related issues.
• COMPUTERS: As visiting fellow you will be allowed to use local facilities. Please discuss this with your Leicester supervisor.
• PARTICIPATION: We cover or refund the cost of participation in conferences, workshops and meetings during your visit at the University, as part of your research project.
• TRAVELLING: You will receive one travel allowance depending on the distance from your home country. It would be helpful if you can arrange your own travel to and from Leicester. Here you can find some directions and links to useful websites.
• ACCOMMODATION: we can help you book a quality room at Opal Court or at other university accommodation, dependent on availability. So the earlier you advice us of your dates the better. You should therefore contact Mrs. P. Bland (pbland[at]ion.le.ac.uk).
• INSURANCE: your home university or institution will have to extend your insurance to cover you while you are abroad. Remember this insurance does not cover sports and outdoor activities.
• SPECIAL NEEDS: please contact us directly for any special needs.