Call for projects ExposUM FELLOWSHIPS 2024
ExposUM is an initiative of the University of Montpellier and its partners1 aimed at establishing an out-of-building, decompartmentalized reference institute for the study, training and science-society interfaces of the environmental determinants of human health. Winner of the ExcellenceS call for projects (PIA4) and supported by the Occitanie Region, ExposUM is funded to the tune of 46.4 million euros over the period 2022-2030.
Context & objective of the call
The exposome is the sum total of lifelong exposure to environmental and social factors whose effects affect human health through the onset, promotion, modulation or prevention of diseases, whether transmissible or not. In this sense, it is the environmental counterpart of the genome, with which it interacts throughout an individual's life.
The aim of the ExposUM Institute's Research Axis is to support and accelerate the acquisition of primary knowledge in an interdisciplinary, coordinated and non-segmented manner on the four pillar fields of study of the exposome:
- Strengthen the monitoring of environmental exposures,
- Refine our understanding of the ecology of hosts, pathogens, reservoirs and vectors ( One Health approach),
- Improve fundamental understanding of the biological mechanisms that may be modulated by the exposome,
- Study the consequences for human health.
Data science forms a bridge linking these pillars, in terms of both methodology and analysis, and the valorization of results. A second bridge, formed by the study and development of new exposure control strategies, completes this architecture articulated with the Interfaces and Training axes.
To this end, the ExposUM Institute is offering two ExposUM Fellowships for the start of the 2024 academic year. They complement the regular call for research projects, and are in line with the I-SITE MUSE attractiveness program.
The ExposUM Fellowships program supports the Institute's drive to consolidate and develop local skills and scientific potential.
Calendar
- ExposUM Fellowships call publication: January 19, 2024.
- Deadline for receipt of applications: April 1, 2024.
- Evaluation and selection of applications: during April 2024.
- Announcement of results: during May 2024.
- Start date: September to November 2024.
Financing arrangements
These two-year contracts are renewable once for a further two years. They cover, where applicable, the salaries of the laureates, as well as an environmental budget of 200 k€/year.2 including the salary cost of recruiting at least one post-doctoral fellow (individual cost charged to the employer from 46 k€/year, adjusted according to experience and expertise) and the balance corresponding to other project expenses (recruitment of engineers or technicians, etc.).3operating and equipment costs), contributing to the implementation of an original exposome research project.
Eligibility
We are looking for experienced, recognized researchers and teacher-researchers who want to join one of the research structures within the ExposUM Institute's perimeter, to develop ambitious, original research projects.
All PhD holderswho are currently teaching or researching off-site, either on a non-permanent basis or with tenure (modulation of teaching duties may be included in the cost of the project) are eligible.
Nationality and country of residence are not eligibility criteria.
The laboratory of affiliation (research unit of the ExposUM consortium, with or without the University of Montpellier as co-supervisor) is left to the choice of the applicant, who must have identified it at the time of application, with the endorsement of the management of the laboratory concerned (see below).
The research project must fall within the field of the exposome, i.e. the study of human health determinants of environmental origin in the broadest sense.
Application formalities
Applications will be assessed in a single stage on the basis of a dossier, written in French or English, which must include:
- a letter from the management of the laboratory concerned, setting out the interest of the project and its inclusion in a long-term vision of the unit's development, and the potential for securing the position and the team at the end of the project: 2 pages maximum,
- a profile of the candidate, including a full CV and arguments demonstrating the candidate's ability to develop a specific theme and take charge of a young team (e.g. ATIP-Avenir), potential for international recognition (e.g. ERC Starting Grant), ability to lead a structuring project and career prospects: 3 pages maximum,
- a description of the research project (state of the art, progress, potential impact), a provisional timetable and budget (indicating other funding already available or expected): 7 pages maximum,
- for non-tenured candidates in France, a commitment to apply for a teaching or research position.
These four elements must be merged in this order (no matrix is provided) in the form of a PDF file named EUMF_NomPrenom.pdf to be sent by e-mail, mentioning [Candidature Fellowship] in the subject line before April 1, 2024 14:00 (UTC+2).
Evaluation
The evaluation and selection of applications will be carried out by the Scientific and Strategic Orientation Council (SSOC) of the ExposUM Institute, on the basis of the quality and scientific potential of the applicant and the project, the appropriateness of the project with the themes of the Institute and the coherence of the project with the strategy of the partners of the consortium, with the goal of reinforcing attractiveness and the scientific influence on an international level.
Candidates with one or more of the following qualities will be considered, at equivalent scientific level:
- a highly interdisciplinary project (all the more so if it includes a human and social sciences component);
- initiation of new partnerships (academic and non-academic);
- research focused on One Health, Global Health and the South.
Commitments
Selected candidates undertake to :
- initiate their research activities in the identified research unit between September and November 2024 ;
- comply, where applicable, with the Nagoya Protocol;
- include the logos of the University of Montpellier, France 2030, Institut ExposUM and Région Occitanie in all documents relating to the project;
- provide the Institute with an annual report on activities carried out;
- for non-tenured laureates, apply for a competitive examination to become a teacher-researcher or statutory researcher.