APPLICATION 

The application process for the CITI-GENS Programme is different to other PhD application processes for Queen’s University, Belfast.

TOP TIPS TO APPLY

-Check you are eligible!!!

-Find a project that interests you

-Check you have the qualifications (or will have by January 2021)

-Make contact with the supervisor

-Read the application pack!!!

-Apply via the Queen’s University Postgraduate Applications Portal.

-Include a letter of motivation why you have chosen CITI-GENS

-Include a Research Plan

-Mention CITI-GENS in the required fields

Applicants can save their application data and return to it, to complete at a later date. Applicants must complete all elements of the online application form, noting the specific requirements for the CITI-GENS Programme as indicated below.

If applying for more than one project, applicants must submit multiple applications.

CLOSING DATE IS 4.00PM UTC 10TH JULY 2020.

SELECTION PROCESS

STAGE 1: ELIGIBILITY CHECK
The Eligibility Committee will check each application against the eligibility criteria. If ineligible, applicants will be informed by 24^th August 2020**

STAGE 2: EVALUATION OF ACADEMIC MERIT AND OF RESEARCH EXPERIENCE AND RESEARCH AMBITION
Each application will be reviewed independently by three evaluators, one of whom will be the principal supervisor for the project, one of whom will have a level of externality to the project (i.e. from another research cluster) and one of whom will be from a partner institution). All reviewers will mark the applications against the evaluation criteria and produce a short evaluation report per applicant. The process of evaluation of academic merit, research experience and research ambition will be scrutinised by an Evaluation Committee and a short-list of candidates will be selected for interview based on scores to date. Shortlisted candidates will progress to the interview stage and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the outcome of the stage two evaluation process by 10th September 2020**

STAGE 3: LEADERSHIP VIDEO AND INTERVIEW
Shortlisted applicants will be required to create and submit a 3 minute video which evidences their leadership potential. The ability to evidence this potential will be measured through applicants understanding of the concept of innovation in research and through their ability to self-reflect on their own leadership experience and strengths and weaknesses in working across disciplines and sectors to address problems.

Shortlisted applicants will also be interviewed by the Evaluation Committee. Interviews will be carried out through Skype Video. If, due to internet connection difficulties, it is difficult to hold a Skype Video interview with an applicant, a conference call will take place instead. At the interview, applicants will be required to communicate the potential societal impact of the CITI-GENS research project they are applying for, to an audience of both academic and non-academic members of staff. 

Interviews are scheduled to take place between September 21st 2020 and September 29th 2020**

The Evaluation Committee will review evaluation scores with the benefit of the additional scoring provided by the leadership videos and interviews and make final decisions on successful and unsuccessful applicants. Applicants who have progressed to stage 3 of the selection process will receive communication regarding whether they have been selected for positions on the CITIGENS Programme by 10th October 2020**

STAGE 4: APPOINTMENT OF SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS
The recommendations of the Evaluation Committee will be ratified by the Appointments Committee. Successful candidates will receive a letter of offer from the Human Resources Department. Contracts of employment will be conditional upon

• satisfactory references,
• satisfactory medical report,
• the fulfilment of any conditions specified in the offer of a place on a PhD programme from the Admissions and Access Service,
• confirmation of right to work in the United Kingdom and
• the ability to secure a valid visa and work permit, if required, from UK Visas and Immigration.

All of this crtieria shuould be in place for enrolment onto the selected PhD programme January 2021.

* *Please note amendments to some dates in the selection process from that originally advertised owing to panel availability**