iC3 launches postdoctoral funding support programme

Do you want to fully focus on a postdoctoral research project of your own choice for two or three years?

Do you want to join friendly team doing cutting-edge science at an interdisciplinary polar research hub located in the Arctic?

 This is your chance...

Every year, the European Union awards over a thousand MSCA postdoctoral fellowships. These fund researchers to focus on the scientific puzzles they are most passionate about, full-time for up to three years.

MSCA funding is highly competitive. Last year, less than 16% of applications were successful. However, applicants who benefited from a support programme run by iC3’s host university had a success rate of over 38%. This included all three applicants who applied through iC3 – a perfect 100% success rate.

This year, the iC3 polar research centre is launching its own, in-house support programme for strong MSCA candidates.

We will actively support each selected applicant on a 1:1 basis, from the moment we take them on board until the day they submit their proposal.

Who is eligible?

Applicants of all nationalities are eligible to apply for MSCA funding.

How does it work? 

Applicants must first find an iC3 team member who is willing to act as their supervisor.

The decision on whether to accept an MSCA candidate for supervision rests exclusively with the individual researcher. If s/he commits to working with you, the wider iC3 team will commit to helping you to write a strong proposal.

What support will iC3 provide?

A designated iC3 team member who has previously won an MSCA grant himself will provide ongoing 1:1 support throughout the process:

•Provide useful slides and templates

•Supply examples of past successful proposals

•Critically review successive drafts of your proposal

•Provide practical advice on how to strengthen your proposal further

This approach builds on and extends the successful model developed by our host university.

In addition, applicants will receive ongoing support from their chosen iC3 supervisor in developing the technical sections of the proposal that outline their scientific research project. This collaboration will proceed independently, in parallel to the support programme.

The iC3 center manager will act as liaison between applicants and the university grants office, ensuring that all required paperwork is ready by the time you submit your proposal.

What are the next steps?

First, check whether you are eligible to apply for an MSCA fellowship in Norway.

Then, send an email to your potential supervisor briefly outlining your proposed research project. Please attach your CV if available.

NOTE: Many iC3 researchers do extensive polar fieldwork and may not have internet access for several weeks. If you do not hear back from the researcher you approached, please email iC3 manager Terri Souster to check when that person will be back online.

We look forward to hearing from you!