Weizmann Institute ”la Caixa” Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships

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Weizmann Institute ”la Caixa” Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowships

Programme description

The Weizmann Institute of Science in Rehovot, Israel, is one of the world’s top-ranking multidisciplinary research institutions. Noted for its wide-ranging exploration of the natural and exact sciences, the Institute is home to 3,800 scientists, students, technicians, and supporting staff. Institute research efforts include searching for new ways to fight disease and hunger, examining leading questions in mathematics and computer science, probing the physics of matter and the universe, creating novel materials, and developing new environmental protection strategies.

The Weizmann Institute of Science's mission to foster discovery and innovation underlies the imperative to educate and prepare the next generation of young scientists to usher new ideas into the world of science. Most of the hands-on research work at the Institute is performed by graduate students and postdoctoral fellows.

Aligned with this philosophy, ”la Caixa” Foundation and the Weizmann Institute of Science offer three postdoctoral fellowships of €30,000 a year for a period of two years to the most talented PhD graduates from Spain and Portugal to carry out research at the Weizmann Institute of Science. These postdoctoral fellows will benefit from the excellent mentoring programme and multidisciplinary atmosphere of the Weizmann Institute.

This fellowships programme is selective, with acceptance granted to PhD graduates from Spain or Portugal who have a strong record of academic excellence, an outstanding PhD thesis, proven scientific productivity, and evidence of potential in their research paths.

  • Programme structure

    The Weizmann Institute of Science, in collaboration with ”la Caixa” Foundation open a call for applications for doctorates that have obtained a doctor degree in the last 5 years in Spanish or Portuguese universities and research centers.

    The Weizmann Institute provides a unique, multidisciplinary setting that enables its postdoctoral fellows to conduct world-class research projects using state-of-the-art research facilities in a spectrum of fields. Weizmann scientists have full academic freedom to pursue basic research on any question of their choice. In the spirit of this institute philosophy, postdoctoral fellows propose their own research projects with the guidance and collaboration of their chosen mentors.

  • Benefits of the programme

    - Full access to all state-of-the-art research facilities and support systems on campus.

    - Large international community.

    - Annual travel allowance for overseas conferences and seminars.

    - Special allowances for airfare, relocation, medical insurance and off-campus housing.

    - Fully paid medical insurance and professional training insurance.

    - Paid maternity leave and paid annual vacation.

    - Complimentary visa services.

    - One-year of subsidized housing at nearby facilities.

    - Subsidized meals, as well as sports and recreational facilities.

    - Daycare facilities that are considered among the best in the region.

    - Monthly daycare allowance for kids between the ages of six months and three years.

  • Selection criteria

    The Selection process run out by the Weizmann Institute is based on:

    - Strong academic record that must include excellence and overall performance in their graduate studies based on past publications and letters of recommendation.

    - Outstanding PhD thesis.

    - Proven scientific productivity.

    - Evidence of potential in the research path of the fellow.

  • Eligibility

    - Researchers of any nationality.

    - Candidates must pursue the PhD in a Spanish or Portuguese Research Centre or university in the disciplines of Life Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics or Computer Sciences.

    - Candidates must start the postdoctoral training within 5 years after the Ph.D. degree date, at the most.

    - Candidates must submit their PhD thesis before the start at the Weizmann Institute.

  • Selection process

    Three researchers will be selected to carry out a 2-year postdoctorate.

    Fellows are selected through the following process:

    - Interested candidates should apply directly to the Principal Investigator of their choice at the Weizmann Institute, expressing interest in the programme.

    - Applications received and complete by the deadline will undergo an initial round of review by the postdoctoral fellowship committees of each faculty at the Weizmann (Life Sciences, Chemistry, Physics, Mathematics and Computer Sciences).

    - Candidates approved by the individual faculties will then be reviewed by an institute committee headed by the Chair of the Postdoctoral Programme.

    - The three finalist candidates will then be approved by the Dean of the Feinberg Graduate School at the Weizmann Institute, and by the ”la Caixa” Foundation.

  • Application process

    - Applicants should contact a potential principal investigator (P.I.) at Weizmann with whom they would like to pursue their scientific research.

    - Once an appropriate P.I. has been identified, they will work with the applicant to prepare and submit the documents required for evaluation by the programme.

    - For more details please see the Programme Admissions webpage.

  • Calendar

    - Call opening: 15 October 2020.

    - Deadline for applications: 2 March 2021.

    - Information of results: 30 April 2021.

    - Fellowship start: from 1 May until 30 June 2021.

    Fellows must make a brief report on their activities at the end of the grant period.