The EU research project "DOORS" announced a call for applications to the DOORS Early-Stage Researcher Exchange. This is an international programme of collaborative research mobility activities, to foster and deepen connections within and between Black Sea countries, and international partners across Europe.

What is the DOORS Early Stage Researcher Exchange?

The Early-Stage Researcher Exchange (ESRE) involves the physical placement of each successful applicant (participant) in a host institution under the guidance of a local mentor. During the exchange, you get to travel to your chosen host institution/company. There you will conduct your collaborative research activity for a minimum of one working week, working with, and under the guidance of, your nominated mentor, and potentially with members of their team. The collaborative activity is led by, and implemented in main by you, with placements occuring from May to July 2024.

Key aspects of the exchange will be supported by the DOORS project and include your travel costs, your accommodation costs for the duration of the exchange, and/or a contribution to daily living expenses up to a threshold, while on the exchange.

The exchange aims to build and deepen collaborations and networks. You must deliver a focused research collaboration on one, or more, of the following marine and/or coastal-focused research areas: environmental sciences, Earth sciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, chemical sciences, Information Technology, data sciences, social sciences, economics and/or Blue Economy. Collaborative proposals which synergise with research and development activities being implemented as part of the DOORS project will be very welcome, though are not viewed as a limitation (feel free to propose some Blue Sky thinking). Synergies will be identified by the Steering Panel who will evaluate your proposals.

Who can apply? (entry requirements)

You (the applicant) must meet the following eligibility criteria for your application to be accepted for evaluation:

• You must be legally resident in an E.U. member state or one of the non-E.U. states involved in the DOORS project (Georgia, Moldova, Turkey, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland) at the time of application, and for the duration of the proposed exchange activity.
• You should be eligible to travel to and, if needed, obtain a valid visa in the host country for the duration of the activity between May and July 2024.
• You should fall within the following definition of an Early Career Researcher: “An MRes candidate, taught masters student, PhD candidate, or postdoctoral researcher who achieved their doctoral qualification no more than 6 years before the call closing date.
• The participant should be based in a 3rd level institution, and/or be conducting research activities within industry, under the supervision of a 3rd level institution.
• The DOORS ESRE welcomes candidates working in the marine sector (environmental sciences, Earth sciences, geosciences, biological sciences, physical sciences, chemical sciences, coastal and/or marine research), Information Technology and/or data sciences for the marine sector, and Blue Economy research. There is no age restriction on the applicability of candidates.”
• You should have a minimum of a Bachelors degree in a coastal/marine focused research areas/satellite related application (GIS/EO), biological sciences, physical sciences, chemical sciences, social sciences, economic and/or Blue Economy or a sufficient amassed level of research experience in one of the fields.
• You must be available to participate in an exchange between May and July, 2024, and the mentor must be available to host them during this timeframe for a consolidated working week of activity.
• You must have secured agreement of your host and mentor, in support of your application, evidenced by the mentors signature of your application form.
• You must have submitted your application by email before the closing date of 23:59 CET, on Thursday, March 14th 2024. See the ESRE Call briefing for full details of the procedure.

What supports are available to me if I am successful?

Travel: You will be able to avail of travel support, paid for by the DOORS project. DOOR partners will make all the necessary travel arrangements on your behalf where practicable through their partners travel agency.

Accommodation: Through the same agency, you will be able to avail of hotel accommodation near the host venue, covered by the DOORS project.

Subsistence: The project will cover your everyday food and local travel expense up to a thresholded amount. The subsistence re-imbursement involves a receipt-based expense claim, which must be accompanied by your completed feedback and evaluation form (to help develop better calls in future).

Facilitation: DOORS are committed to helping you connect with mentors, work with you to develop your applications, and support you while on your exchange. The DOORS team have trained facilitators at hand. They can put you in contact with potential host mentors, and facilitate your initial meetings with them. The support team can also provide guidance on how to prepare your application with your mentor, helping you to collaborate effectively from first contact. For Visa applications, while you must submit your own application, the support team will assist you where they can with documentation you may need such as invitation letters, and confirmation letters. How do I apply?

The DOORS Call for Early-stage Researcher Exchange proposals is opening on Monday, February 12th, 2024. You must download and fill in the application form, get your proposed mentor to co-sign your application form, and then submit your application by email before the closing date of 23:59 CET, on Thursday, March 14th 2024. The Application Form in word format is available here: DOORS ESRE Application Form – institutes.