Application and Selection
1. Principle of the Recruitment Process
The MISTRAL Network (“we”, “us”) will adhere to the principles of Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers set out in The European Charter for Researchers. We have created a process which is open, efficient, transparent, supportive, and which allows us to compare applicants from anywhere in the world.
ESR recruitment and selection is a joint responsibility of the MISTRAL beneficiaries. We have tailored the process to recruit researchers that can best contribute to the success of the MISTRAL Network.
2. Recruitment Information
Applications for the ESR positions will be accepted from January 14th to February 26th 2019. Please ensure you leave enough time to complete your application.
Please take the time to understand the aims and objectives of an MSCA European Training Network, the MISTRAL project, and the individual projects.
To help explain the MISTRAL Network and the application process for ESRs, please watch our recorded webinar
Another webinar will be held on Wednesday 13th February at 1300 (GMT)
Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone:
https://global.gotomeeting.com/join/911125165
You can also dial in using your phone
(For supported devices, tap a one-touch number below to join instantly.)
United Kingdom: +44 330 221 0097
One-touch: tel:+443302210097,,911125165
Access Code: 911-125-165
3. Eligibility
Career Stage Rule:
Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) must, at the date of recruitment by the beneficiary, be in the first four years (full -time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.
Mobility Rule:
ESRs must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately before the recruitment date. Compulsory national service, short stays such as holidays, and time spent as part of a procedure for obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention are not taken into account.
For clarification on these rules, please contact us - mistral-itn(at)qub(dot)ac(dot)uk
4. The Application Process
Click here for the online advert - click the Apply Online box to apply
The process will allow you to apply for more than one position with a single application.
In addition, MISTRAL will attempt to fill positions that remain vacant after the initial offering, by referring applicants from other MISTRAL positions. To do this, we may share your application with the supervisors at other MISTRAL institutions than those you applied to, and you may be offered an interview for a different ESR position. Although your data protection rights are not affected by this, please make sure you read and understand the MISTRAL Privacy Notice.
If you wish to be considered ONLY for an ESR position at the Technical University of Denmark (ESR9 and ESR11) OR the University of Exeter (ESR5 and ESR6), there is no need to complete a central MISTRAL application. If you choose to do this, your application will not be included in the process to fill remaining vacancies from the candidate pool.
Applicants for ESR projects at the Technical University of Denmark (ESR9 and ESR11) and the University of Exeter (ESR5 and ESR6) should apply to those beneficiaries directly as well as applying through the Queen’s University Belfast MISTRAL application page if you wish to be considered for any remaining vacancies after the first round of recruitment.
If you do not apply to the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) or the University of Exeter (UNEXE) directly, you cannot be considered for ESR positions there.
Link to DTU careers web page
Apply for ESR9 - National-EU Regimes - with DTU here
Apply for ESR11 - Collaborative Approaches - with DTU here
Link to UNEXE careers web page
Apply for ESR5 - Social equity and distributive justice in renewable energy deployment- with UNEXE here
Apply for ESR6 - Public policy, procedural justice & participation in the low carbon transition - with UNEXE here
5. How to Apply
To apply for ESR positions in MISTRAL (apart from those at DTU and UNEXE) you should apply online through the Queen’s University Belfast MISTRAL application page. To do this, you must first register to create an account.
Please complete all information marked with * on all pages.
Link to Queen's University Belfast general guidance for applying using the online system
Please note, the order of the pages and some sections of the MISTRAL application is different from the guidance above:
Page 3 – please select all the ESR projects for which you would like to be considered
If you wish to be considered ONLY for an ESR position at the Technical University of Denmark (ESR9 and ESR11) OR the University of Exeter (ESR5 and ESR6), there is no need to complete a central MISTRAL application. If you choose to do this, your application will not be included in the process to fill remaining vacancies from the candidate pool.
Applicants for ESR projects at the Technical University of Denmark (ESR9 and ESR11) and the University of Exeter (ESR5 and ESR6) should apply to those beneficiaries directly as well as applying through the Queen’s University Belfast MISTRAL online application.
If you do not apply to the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) or the University of Exeter (UNEXE) directly, you cannot be considered for ESR positions there.
Page 4 – please note the following:
- Before customising your CV to this application you should read the job descriptions and selection criteria for the positions you are applying for.
- Your CV must demonstrate clearly and unambiguously how your experience and research background meets the requirements of the positions and the specific projects you are applying to. Where applicable this should include a statement of your relevant research or professional experience and any publications if you have any.
- Your application must also include a cover letter. The cover letter should be no longer than 2 pages of A4 (no less than 10pt). Please state why you are interested in the MISTRAL network, and why you have been motivated to apply to the specific beneficiaries (universities) and projects you have nominated. Any relevant skills you possess, and any relevant prior experience you have should also be included.
- Please do not send copies of publications, references or testimonials at this stage.
- You must submit the cover letter and your CV as a single file
Page 8 - Equal Opportunities Monitoring Information
Please note that this form is not used as part of the selection process and the recruitment panel will not have access to the monitoring information.
When you have completed and submitted your application, you will receive an email confirming receipt of your application.
6. Selection Process
An eligibility screening will take place immediately after closure of the online applications. This will be carried out by MISTRAL coordination staff at Queen’s University Belfast.
Applicants who do not appear to comply with MSCA-ITN mobility and career stage eligibility requirements will be asked to provide more evidence: applicants who cannot demonstrate their eligibility will be notified by MISTRAL and excluded from shortlisting.
We anticipate this stage will take 7-10 days
Eligible applications will be forwarded to the beneficiary organisations selected by applicants in the online process. Exact procedures will vary between beneficiary, but will conform to the general principles below:
Each beneficiary will form a diverse, gender balanced selection panel that will include the supervisors and co-supervisors. This panel will grade each application according to the essential and desirable criteria listed in the job description. Only research experience and information provided in the CV and cover letter will be used to arrive at a final assessment for each application.
The selection panel will select candidates for interview. Candidates who are not selected will be notified by the beneficiary organisation. Feedback will be made available on request.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview at the beneficiary site. Each interview will be conducted by a panel that will include the intended supervisors and co-supervisors. If necessary, a phone or video interview will be organised instead of a face-to-face interview. In addition to the selection criteria used in the application assessment, candidates will be evaluated on interview performance.
We anticipate interviews will be conducted in late March/early April.
Candidates will be ranked by each selection panel, including a list of reserve candidates.
Candidates will be informed of the final outcome by the beneficiary organisation as soon as possible after the selection process has concluded. Feedback will be made available on request.