The Department of Accounting and Finance of the Faculty of Applied Economic Sciences of the University of Antwerp has a full-time vacancy (m/f) for a:

Doctoral student in accounting

The research position is funded by a project grant of the Research Foundation Flanders (FWO).

The ideal candidate has a strong academic background in accounting and finance, including good research and statistical skills and an excellent command of the English language. A research master degree would be an added advantage.

The applicant is expected to conduct research in the field of financial disclosure behavior in an international setting. The research will be carried out in close collaboration with Prof. Walter Aerts and Prof. Tom Van Caneghem. The candidate is expected to enroll the university's Ph.D. program and to obtain a Ph.D. at the end of the project. A short project description can be found below. We offer a four-year position (with periodic evaluation), a net monthly grant of over 1800 euro, and a stimulating working environment in a lively cosmopolitan city.

For more information, please contact Prof. Walter Aerts (University of Antwerp) at walter.aerts@ua.ac.be .

However, applications should be sent by regular mail, and should include [1] a detailed CV including description of background in accounting and research, [2] complete transcripts of bachelor and master degrees including detailed marks, [3] a motivation letter and [4] (if available) results on TOEFL/GMAT/GRE tests.

The position is open until filled with a final deadline of October 1, 2012.

Short project description

We investigate intra-industry imitation in discretionary financial disclosure and management commentary. Imitation of discretionary reporting content and related reporting choices may be conceived as a rational response to discretion and related ambiguity in order to meet explicit and implicit industry norms. This issue is crucial in the current debate on a principles-based versus rules-based approach in the reporting standard-setting process. We will address the following research questions: (1) What is the extent of intra-industry benchmarking in specific discretionary reporting choices and which imitation mechanisms drive reporting conformity, (2) What is the impact of professional intermediaries (e.g. auditors, consultants) on imitation-driven reporting, (3) Which firm-specific factors (e.g. relative performance) affect the extent of benchmarked reporting, and (4) Whether and to what extent self-serving consequences (e.g. financial analyst behavior, cost of capital) of industry-based imitation in external reporting can be observed.

Address:

Prof. Walter Aerts

University of Antwerp

Faculty of Applied Economic Sciences

Prinsstraat 13

B-2000 Antwerpen

Belgium
http://www.ua.ac.be/main.aspx?c=.DEPTPERSONEEL&n=104279

Стипендии Николая Коперника: обучение в Германии

Участники программы смогут пройти полугодовое обучение в университетах Гамбурга, Мюнхена или Берлина, а также стажироваться в немецкой компании.
Требования к кандидатам:

В конкурсе могут участвовать студенты гуманитарных факультетов — журналисты, историки и социологи, а также учащиеся факультетов политологии, правоведения, экономики и студенты-архитекторы. Кандидаты должны окончить минимум два курса вуза и владеть немецким языком.

Оформление заявки:

Чтобы подать документы, надо написать сопроводительное письмо и объяснить свой интерес к этой программе, приложить имеющиеся сертификаты и дипломы и отправить на адрес университета в Берлине. Заявки на стипендию принимаются два раза в год. Последний срок подачи документов на летний семестр — 1 сентября, на зимний семестр — 1 марта.

В программе стипендий Коперника принимают участие три немецких университета: Университет имени Гумбольдта в Берлине, университет Гамбурга и Мюнхенский университет имени Людвига и Максимилиана. Обучение длится полгода. Стипендия покрывает расходы на транспорт, проживание, питание, медицинскую страховку, визовый сбор, а также расходы, связанные с зачислением в вуз. Организаторы предоставляют жилье в немецкой семье или в общежитии и помогают найти место для прохождения практики в международной компании.

http://www.copernicus-stipendium.de/...cus-topmenu-17

Программа, рассчитанная на полгода, нацелена на работу над докторской диссертацией. Язык написания диссертации — английский или польский.

Центр междисциплинарных исследований «Коперник» приглашает магистров принять участие в конкурсе грантов на проведение докторских исследований. Возможные темы: философия, антропология, теория религий, теология, история. Длительность программы — 18 месяцев. За это время кандидат сможет написать черновой вариант своей докторской диссертации.

Требования к кандидатам:

— диплом магистра в области философии, антропологии, теории религий, истории;

— свободное владение английским языком;

— научные публикации и участие в конференциях.

Оформление заявки:

Заявка должна быть отправлена не позднее 31 августа 2012 года по адресу info@copernicuscenter.edu.pl. В комплект документов входят:

— копия диплома магистра;

— примерный план докторской диссертации;

— резюме;

— список публикаций;

— сертификат, подтверждающий знание английского языка.
http://www.copernicuscenter.edu.pl/coll/

The Schlumberger Foundation Faculty for the Future program, launched in 2004, awards fellowships to women from developing and emerging economies to pursue PhD or post-doctoral studies in the physical sciences, engineering and technology at leading universities abroad.

The long-term goal of the Faculty for the Future program is to generate conditions that result in more women pursuing academic careers in scientific disciplines thus contributing to the socio-economic development of their home countries and regions.

The Faculty for the Future program is growing each year and has become a powerful community of 257 women scientists from 62 countries. Grant recipients are selected as much for their leadership capabilities as for their scientific talents. Ultimately they are expected to return to their home countries to continue their academic careers, to further their research, to teach and to become inspirational role models for other young women.

Faculty for the Future grants are based on actual costs up to a maximum of USD 50,000 per year and may be renewed through to completion of studies subject to performance, self-evaluation, and recommendations from supervisors.

Candidates should have applied to, have been admitted to, or be currently enrolled in a university abroad when submitting their Faculty for the Future grant application. Candidates must hold an excellent academic record and be able to evidence their commitment to teaching, research or using science in public policy advocacy. Candidates should demonstrate leadership skills and have a track record in encouraging young women into the sciences.
http://www.facultyforthefuture.net/

These are guidelines on eligibility for scholarships from the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and the Cambridge Overseas Trust:

Nationality
• Applicants may be of any nationality except that of the United Kingdom (including the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and except that of any member state of the European Union.
• Applicants must be liable to pay University fees at the Overseas Rate. To find out more about your fee status, see information for undergraduates and for postgraduates.
• If you are an applicant from the UK or EU, see separate information for undergraduates and postgraduates.

Status

The Trusts do not accept applications from students who are part-way through a course at Cambridge, unless they are applying for funding towards a higher degree course following graduation.

Degree level
• Applicants must be intending to start a course at the level of BA, BAaff, taught postgraduate (such as MPhil, MASt, LLM), and research postgraduate (such as PhD).
• The Trusts will not normally support students at a degree level that is the same as, or lower than, a degree they already hold, with two exceptions - we will consider an application from a student who is required to take a second Masters at Cambridge in order to gain admission to the PhD here, or from a student who is proposing to study as an affiliated student at Cambridge for a second BA (lasting two years).
• The Trusts do not have scholarships available for post-doctoral positions.
• The Trusts do not have scholarships available for part-time postgraduate degrees. Part-time undergraduate study is not available at Cambridge.

Subject

Applicants may study any subject currently available at the University.

Application and Admission
• Applicants must be admitted to the University of Cambridge through the normal academic procedures. The Trusts have no role in the admission of applicants to study at the University, and are not able to influence the chances of an applicant being offered a place.
• The University sets minimum standards – check the requirements for undergraduates and for postgraduates.
• Check the information on application deadlines for undergraduates and postgraduates.
• Applicants are encouraged to meet the entry requirements of the University as early as possible, including (if necessary) the completion of an English language test. This will help to prevent the Trusts from offering valuable scholarships to students who are ultimately unable to take up their places at Cambridge.
• Applicants are also encouraged to read the Key points for undergraduate applicants or Key points for postgraduate applicants.

Equality
• The Trusts are committed to equality of opportunity, and no applicant will be treated less favourably than another on the grounds of gender (including gender reassignment), marital or parental status, race, ethnic or national origin, colour, disability, sexual orientation, religion or age. The primary consideration in the selection of Scholars will be applicants' ability to meet the selection criteria for each scholarship.
• Disabled students who receive scholarships from the Trusts may be eligible for supplementary funding to assist with additional costs, e.g. necessary adjustments in the study environment.
• Some scholarships that are fully or partially funded by partners of the Trusts are allocated to students of particular nationalities. But no students whose nationality is non-EU are excluded from the Trusts' overall programme of scholarships.
http://www.cambridgetrusts.org/schol...s/eligibility/

Two fellowships provide funding for field work by PhD students who plan to conduct field-intensive coral reef research at Lizard Island.

Background

The Lizard Island Doctoral Fellowship and The Ian Potter Fellowship at Lizard Island provide financial support for field-intensive coral reef research at the Lizard Island Research Station by outstanding PhD students. Funding is for field expenses over one to three years; salary is not provided. Applications are assessed by a panel of Australian Museum scientists with input from external reviewers.

The Lizard Island Doctoral Fellowship has been funded by the Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation since 1984.

The Ian Potter Doctoral Fellowship at Lizard Island has been funded by The Ian Potter Foundation since 2006.

A single application will be considered for both fellowships.

Benefits

For students enrolled at an Australian university, the maximum value of each 2013 Fellowship is AU$24,000 plus GST (AU$8,000 per annum for up to three years). For students enrolled at overseas universities, the amount includes GST. Overseas students may be awarded an additional $1,000 per year to contribute towards their higher travel costs.

Allowable expenses

Fellowship funds must be spent on bench fees at LIRS and other expenses involved in fieldwork at Lizard Island including travel, freight, and equipment. Fellowship funds may not be used for living expenses (including food while at Lizard Island) or for salary. The fellowship may not be used to support research or travel by the fellow's PhD supervisor or any other senior researcher except as outlined below.

Conditions of Award
The fellow must conduct field-intensive research at the Lizard Island Research Station (LIRS) for an average of at least 100 person days per year of funding. Most projects require at least one assistant so this usually means that the fellow and an assistant must both work at LIRS for an average of at least 50 days per year. Bench fees at the current applicable rate must be paid to LIRS for these visits. If an average of 100 person days per year are not used by the end of the fellowship period, an amount equal to the value of the unused days at the student rate must be returned to LIRS.
The first field trip using fellowship funding should not be planned to start before April 2013.
If the fellow's supervisor or any other senior researcher wishes to accompany the fellow on field trips to Lizard Island, fellowship funds may not be used to cover any of that person's travel costs. They may be used to pay bench fees for the supervisor or other senior researcher at the student assistant's rate for up to 5 days over the life of the fellow's project, providing that the senior person is actually assisting the fellow on those days rather than conducting his/her own research. Bench fees for any additional days spent at LIRS by the senior researcher must be paid at the current rate applicable to researchers and that amount may not be paid from fellowship funds.
Each year during a field trip, the fellow is required to make an oral presentation at LIRS about his/her research.
A progress report must be submitted each year, including details of expenditure and revised budget estimates for the coming year(s). Subsequent funding depends upon suitable progress.
Any funds unspent at the end of each fellowship year must be returned to LIRS unless the LIRS directors approve carry-over arrangements.
A bound copy of the Fellow's thesis must be lodged in the Station's library.

Selection criteria
1.Relevance of the research program to the Australian Museum's Science Research Strategy.
2.Acceptance of the applicant into a PhD program to undertake field-based coral reef research.
3.Stipend from a scholarship or other source for the duration of the Fellowship.
4.The applicant's academic and research record.
5.Evidence that the applicant has relevant research and fieldwork experience.
6.A project that is field-intensive, requiring an average of at least 100 person days at LIRS per year of funding.
7.A project that will make a significant contribution to knowledge.
8.Feasibility of the proposed research within the limitations of budget and safety regulations.
9.Substantial and efficient usage of LIRS.
10.Efficient usage of fellowship funds.
11.If the fellowship does not cover all planned costs, evidence that additional funding is available or a contingency plan for amending the project if it doesn't become available.

Preliminary applications

Preliminary applications must be submitted on the form provided (see link below), as an email attachment in Word or rich text format using the font settings in the original form.

Preliminary applications will be assessed against selection criteria 1 - 7. Highly ranked preliminary applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

Invited full applications

Full applications will only be accepted from people who have been invited to submit. Full applications must be submitted on the form provided (see link below), as an email attachment in Word or rich text format using the font settings in the original form. Use photographs and other illustrations only if essential. The completed form including any illustrations must be less than 350 KB.

Full applications must be supported by a letter from the head of the university department where the applicant will be enrolled. The letter must support the research proposal, including the proposed field work at Lizard Island. The letter must be sent by mail, fax or by email as a pdf.

Information for completing applications

To assist in preparing your application, please consult other sections of this web site to learn about LIRS facilities and the number of assistants you will need to bring to comply with the Station's scuba diving and boating regulations. Indicative costs for bench fees, travel between Cairns and Lizard Island, and barge freight are provided below for planning purposes only - please use these rates when preparing your budget estimates.

Budgets must be calculated differently by applicants based at Australian and overseas universities due to their differing tax status. Australian students can plan expenditure of Fellowship funds of up to $8,800 per year including GST. Overseas students can plan to spend only $8,000 per year including GST. Note that overseas students may be awarded an additional $1,000 per year to contribute towards their higher travel costs. International airfares are not subject to GST.
http://australianmuseum.net.au/Doctoral-Fellowships

PhD Programme in Computer Science
The PhD Programme lasts three years and the official language of the programme is English.

PhD students are expected to work full-time on their research. During the PhD, it is advisable to spend a period of 6-12 months at a National or International research center.

Candidates are strongly advised to contact their desired research centers at the Faculty of Computer Science before applying. This way, they can obtain a clear idea of the specific research carried out at the Faculty.

The Selection Committee selects PhD students based on a comparative assessment of the qualification of applicants, taking into account also feedback from potential supervisors, especially those who have grants available to support the PhD students, and determines the winners based on the merits of each candidate.

The Selection Committee also selects those candidates who are qualified to start a PhD program at the Free University of Bozen/Bolzano, but who cannot be admitted for lack of space. Should a selected winner not accept the position, such candidates will be next in line for the position.

It is expected that students are able to write and speak fluently in English.
http://www.unibz.it/en/inf/progs/phdcs/default.html

International Graduate School at the Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster (GRK 1409/2)
’Molecular Interactions of Pathogens with Biotic and Abiotic Surfaces’

We are advertising positions for the 3rd generation of doctoral students !


10 positions starting January 1, 2013

Positions are 65% E13 positions which are equivalent to a net salary of approximately 1350 € per month (after taxes).
http://zmbe.uni-muenster.de/GRK1409/

-A PhD in Engineering (Canadian graduates will be given priority) with a strong background in the field of Composite Materials.
-Proven experimental/material testing skills as well as expertise in numerical modeling techniques.
-Excellent communication, technical writing, and student supervision skills

The UBC Composites Group at the Okanagan campus invites applications for a Postdoctoral position at the School of Engineering. The successful candidates will be directly working as part of a new pan western Composites Research Network (CRN) which is a major initiative funded by government to support the transition of knowledge-based composites design and manufacturing capability to the industrial base in British Columbia and Western Canada. The successful candidate will have an opportunity to enhance his/her hands-on experience in testing, modeling, design and manufacture of composite materials and structures, while working closely with the CRN engineers in several industrial sites as well as research staff in different nodes of the network to conduct experiments, document experimental procedures and results, optimize manufacturing processes, and prepare presentations and write technical articles.
Contact employer at “abbas.milani@ubc.ca”
http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/engineering/welcome.html

ESA Research Fellowships in Space Science

General
The ESA Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Programme is aimed at providing young scientists, holding a PhD or the equivalent degree, with the means of performing research in space science. The programme is open to suitably qualified women and men. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates within five years of receiving their PhD. Candidates not holding a PhD yet can also apply, but they must provide evidence of receiving their degree before starting the fellowship.
Appointments for an ESA fellowship are for two years, after which Fellows normally leave ESA. The fellowship in space science is tenable at the European Space Research and Technology Centre (ESTEC) in Noordwijk, the Netherlands, or at the European Space Astronomy Centre (ESAC) in Villafranca del Castillo near Madrid, Spain. The Fellowship Programme does not currently grant fellowships in other institutions outside of ESA.
The fellowships are open to nationals of ESA Member States (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom) and to nationals of states adhering to the PECS cooperation scheme (Canada, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Romania and Slovenia). Detailed information about the conditions, eligibility and benefits of the ESA Fellowship Programme can be found here.
Furthermore, nationals of other states with which ESA has a cooperation agreement (e.g. Argentina, Brazil, China, Estonia, India, Russian Federation and Turkey) can have access to a one-year international traineeship, at the post-doctoral level, along lines similar to those of the research fellowship. The programme provides a subsistence allowance to cover the trainees' living expenses during their stay at ESA. Young scientists interested in the possibility of an international traineeship in space science should contact directly the fellowship coordinator, Guido De Marchi, for more information.
Research Programmes
Solar Physics, Heliophysics and Space Plasma Physics
studying the physics of the Earth's magnetosphere using data from the Cluster, Double Star and Themis missions as well as from any other relevant facility. Topics of interest include magnetic reconnection, magnetospheric boundary layers, plasma transfer processes, ULF waves, polar cusp and inner magnetospheric dynamics [contact Harri Laakso, Philippe Escoubet or Matt Taylor at ESTEC]
studying the plasma environment of solar system bodies using data from all relevant planetary missions [contact Olivier Witasse at ESTEC]
work on a number of topics in solar physics using data from SOHO, TRACE, Hinode or any other relevant facility. Topics of interest include studies of the structure and dynamics of the solar corona, chromoseismology, modeling of photospheric and coronal magnetic fields, and helioinformatics (development of advanced techniques for data assimilation, visualisation, and browsing) [contact Daniel Mueller at ESTEC or Bernhard Fleck]
study of plasma physics through X-ray high-resolution spectroscopy of active stars [contact Andy Pollock at ESAC]
Planetary Science
work on a number of topics on comparative planetology, including geology, impact craters, spectroscopy/mapping, water on Mars, planetary rings, atmospheres, ionospheres, meteors and astrobiology, with emphasis on the use of data from the Mars Express, Venus Express, Smart-1, Cassini-Huygens, Demeter, Bepi Colombo and Chandrayaan-1 missions as well as from other relevant facilities [contact Agustin Chicarro, Detlef Koschny, Olivier Witasse, Luigi Colangeli, Hakan Svedhem, Dmitri Titov or Bernard Foing at ESTEC or Patrick Martin or Nicolas Altobelli at ESAC]
support the scientific preparation of the ExoMars mission with regards to landing site selection activities, with emphasis on the use of morphologic and spectral data from Mars Express and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and set up the programme for distribution and analysis of mission representative blind samples among the ExoMars rover instrument teams [contact Jorge Vago at ESTEC or Patrick Martin at ESAC]
investigation of minor bodies in the solar system to understand their formation and evolution in the frame of planetary system formation, using data from Rosetta, Herschel, other space missions and ground-based observations [contact Rita Schulz or Detlef Koschny at ESTEC, or Nicolas Altobelli or Michael Kueppers at ESAC]
investigation of asteroids, cosmic dust and planetary discs, with space-based and ground-based observations and numerical models, to better constrain the orbital dynamics and physical and chemical properties of these objects [contact Detlef Koschny, Luigi Colangeli and Hakan Svedhem at ESTEC or Nicolas Altobelli or Michael Kueppers at ESAC]
investigate the physics and chemistry of terrestrial planets and minor bodies through numerical modelling of their interior and near surface layers in order to better understand their formation and thermal evolution [contact Johannes Benkhoff at ESTEC]
petrology and astrobiology analysis of mineral and organic samples exposed in Earth orbit or from Moon-Mars-planetary simulated analogues [contact Bernard Foing at ESTEC]
Astrophysics: Stars and Planets
study of stellar populations, star formation in the local group, pre-main sequence stars, the and dynamical evolution of stellar clusters, the properties of their initial mass function and its relationship with the physical conditions of the environment, using UV, optical and IR data from space (HST) and ground-based (VLT) facilities [contact Guido De Marchi at ESTEC]
observational studies of galactic star-forming regions (Orion, Carina, etc.), including low-mass stars, brown dwarfs, circumstellar discs, jets, and outflows, as well as field brown dwarfs, using X-ray, optical, and IR data from ground-based telescopes (VLT, VISTA, UKIRT) and space-based facilities (Chandra, Spitzer, and ultimately JWST) [contact Mark McCaughrean at ESTEC]
study of disc evolution and planet formation with observations from Spitzer and Herschel on the star-forming clouds in the Gould's Belt. The work includes optical characterisation of new objects and analysis of transitional discs with large inner holes, due to currently forming planets [contact Timo Prusti at ESTEC or Bruno Merin at ESAC]
study of warm debris discs in transiting planets systems from CoRoT, Kepler and others with WISE, SDSS, AKARI and Herschel observations with potential follow-up from major ground-based observatories (GTC, VLT, ALMA and others) [contact Bruno Merin at ESAC]
observational and theoretical work on debris discs around stars using existing space- and ground-based observations, including data from Herschel and ongoing ground-based submillimetre observations [contact Göran Pilbratt or Ana Heras at ESTEC]
searching for extra-solar planets through the analysis of CoRoT data and follow-up ground-based observations [contact Malcolm Fridlund at ESTEC]
studies linked to the scientific yield of the Gaia mission, in particular structure and evolution of open clusters, OB associations or star forming clouds in the Gould Belt, using astrometric, photometric or spectroscopic data [contact Timo Prusti or Jos de Bruijne at ESTEC]
characterisation of the infrared properties of stars in the transition phase from the asymptotic giant branch to the planetary nebula stage through the analysis of Spitzer data taken in different metallicity environments, search for new transition sources using the AKARI all-sky survey data at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths in our Galaxy and in the Magellanic Clouds, and follow-up studies with Herschel [contact Pedro Garcia-Lario at ESAC]
study of plasma physics through X-ray high-resolution spectroscopy of active stars [contact Andy Pollock at ESAC]
research on X-ray binaries (black holes and neutron stars), emission mechanisms, physics of accretion, activity timescales, X-ray bursts [contact Arvind Parmar, Erik Kuulkers or Peter Kretschmar at ESAC]
X-ray studies of Classical Novae in outburst [contact Jan-Uwe Ness at ESAC]
Astrophysics: Galaxies and Interstellar Medium
studies of the galactic interstellar medium using observations from the all-sky surveys by Planck [contact Jan Tauber or Rene Laureijs at ESTEC]
Observational studies of large organics in space (such as fullerenes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons PAHs) using interstellar spectroscopy [contact Bernard Foing at ESTEC]
investigating the nature of nuclear star clusters and their connection with active galactic nuclei and supermassive black holes, using optical, IR and sub-mm data from space (HST) and ground (VLT, IRAM) facilities [contact Torsten Boeker at ESTEC]
X-ray spectroscopic studies of acretion processes onto supermassive black holes in Active Galactic Nuclei, and of nuclear activity feed-back onto the host galaxy environment on various scales (pc to kpc) [contact Norbert Schartel, Maria Santos-Lleo, or Matteo Guainazzi at ESAC]
study of morphology and complexity of the diffuse interstellar medium in the Galactic plane and in star-forming clouds of the Gould's Belt, using data from Herschel large-scale surveys [contact Roland Vavrek at ESAC]
studies of X-ray emission components in nearby spiral galaxies (diffuse and point-like) including extra-planar halo emission and the environment of cluster galaxies [contact Matthias Ehle at ESAC]
studies of the Galactic Centre, especially Sgr A* and the Central Molecular Zone [contact Guillaume Belanger at ESAC]
Gamma-ray burst physics (prompt & afterglow emission, timing), gamma-ray line emission (diffuse and from point sources), nucleosynthesis, and galactic stellar-mass size black hole transients [contact Chris Winkler at ESTEC]
Cosmology
work on cosmological surveys using existing Herschel observations, with particular focus on lensing galaxy clusters, high redshift clusters, follow ups to the Hubble Ultra Deep Field survey and other Herschel extragalactic surveys [contact Bruno Altieri, Luca Conversi, Leo Metcalfe, Miguel Sanchez-Portal or Ivan Valtchanov at ESAC]
work on cosmic microwave background and its foregrounds, with specific focus on galaxy cluster studies by means of the Sunyaev-Zel'dovich effect, using Planck and Herschel data [contact Luca Conversi at ESAC]
Fundamental Physics
work on experimental techniques for low frequency gravitational wave detection, including laser frequency/phase stabilisation and precision interferometry [contact Paul McNamara at ESTEC]
work on the development of algorithms and methods for LISA data analysis [contact Oliver Jennrich at ESTEC]
work on applications of atomic quantum sensors (atomic clocks, atom interferometers, etc.) to fundamental physics studies in space [contact Luigi Cacciapuoti at ESTEC]
Instrumentation
experimental and theoretical research in detector development for the next generation of infrared, X-ray and gamma-ray instrumentation, involving testing and characterisation of new and existing detection media (compound semiconductors, scintillators), investigation of new detection techniques and improvement of existing methods (e.g., by single carrier sensing, novel electrode design, readout schemes, etc.) [contact David Lumb or Alan Owens at ESTEC]
How to apply
The next deadline for applications will be 1 October 2012. The application form can be found here. Candidates should produce a PDF file using the application form as a template and submit it electronically by e-mail to the address temp.htr@esa.int, as indicated on the form. The length of the text in sections 23, 24 and 25 of the form should not exceed the indicated limits. Also please note that, unlike other ESA fellowships, for the Fellowship in Space Science no additional material or annex such as CVs, certificates of degrees or copies of articles should be attached. The only information needed is that indicated in the application form.
Candidates must also arrange for three letters of reference to be sent by e-mail, before the deadline, to the same address temp.htr@esa.int. The letters must be sent by the referees themselves, one of whom should be the candidate's PhD supervisor. In the unlikely event that a letter of reference cannot be submitted electronically, it may be sent by post to: ESTEC, Fellowship Programme, Human Resources Division, Keplerlaan 1, 2200 AG Noordwijk, The Netherlands. Applications and letters arriving after the deadline will not be considered.
Enquiries on the scientific aspects of the programme can be sent at any time to the fellowship coordinator, Guido De Marchi.
Within six to eight weeks of the application deadline, candidates selected for an interview will be notified (all travel expenses are covered by ESA). Interviews will take place within two months. Besides an interview, candidates are asked to give a short talk (15 min + 5 min for questions) to present their current and proposed research programme at a jamboree open to the whole science faculty. During their visit, normally lasting two days, candidates are encouraged to interact with other fellows and staff members, to familiarise themselves with the ESA science faculty. Successful candidates will be notified by early February and normally fellowships commence in the autumn (September/October).
Research budget, conferences
Research expenses for Fellows, such as publication charges, observing trips and attendance to conferences, are covered by the research budget of the Space Science departments. Fellows can usually attend three international conferences each year, provided that they have important new results to present. Fellows have also access to the Science Visitor Programme and can invite external collaborators to spend time at ESTEC or ESAC, funded by ESA, to work with them.
Financial conditions and benefits
The salary of ESA fellows falls within a pre-determined range and varies depending on qualifications and experience. Average monthly net salaries (tax free) are around € 2500. Fellows may be entitled to an expatriation allowance and/or to an installation allowance if they meet the conditions of entitlement. Removal expenses are not reimbursed. Depending on their place of recruitment, fellows may be reimbursed travel expenses in economy class (when travelling by air) or in first class (when travelling by train) to their duty station for themselves and, if applicable, for their spouse and children at the beginning and end of their assignment. Fellows are enrolled in the ESA's Social Security Scheme which covers medical expenses, invalidity and death benefits. A monthly deduction covers these short-term and long-term risks.
http://www.rssd.esa.int/index.php?pr...ge=fellowships

Regulations
Applications to the Shpilman Prize have to conform strictly to the terms set by the regulations. The proposed research projects should be of a practical nature and involve a strong theoretical basis. The combination of photographic theory and practice should be at the core of any submission.The Pre-Selection Committee:The Israel Museum will convene a pre-selection committee of three members to review and screen all applications for adequacy and ensure their compliance with the regulations, compatibility and relevance, and to select those to be submitted to the final jury.The Jury:The jury will consist of an international group of well-known professionals. It will be chaired by a representative of the Israel Museum, together with two Israeli and two international personalities, experts in the fields of art and photography. Consequently, a different jury will be convened every two years for each subsequent prize. The jury will meet in the fall of every second year in Jerusalem and the winner will be announced before the end of the same year. A detailed protocol of the selection process and deliberations will be kept for the archives of the prize; however these will not be made public. Members of the jury will not have to justify their decision.The Prize:Except for very special reasons, the Prize in the amount of $45,000 cannot be divided. The prize will be remitted to the recipient in three installments, a third upon announcement, at the award ceremony, a third half way along the project, subject to the submission of a progress report, and the last portion upon completion and submission of the final material. The full amount of the prize will have to be applied by the recipient entirely to the creation and completion of the research project for which it is awarded. All additional expenses for publication and/or possible exhibition will be borne by the Israel Museum through the support of the Shpilman Institute for Photography. It is in the jury’s discretion not to award the prize if a suitable proposal could not be selected. In this case the prize will be transferred to the following year.Applications:All applications should be in English only and include:- A duly completed application form signed by the candidate and validated by the nominator as to its accuracy. The applicant will confirm in writing that his proposal is an original idea exclusively presented to the Shpilman Photography Prize and has not been submitted previously or concurrently to any other prize, grant, venue, or similar purpose.- The nomination text should be of no more than 500 words by a recognized nominator, an authority in the fields of art and/or photography or cultural or academic institution with supporting arguments as to the q1ualifications of the candidate and the importance and validity of the proposed project explaining the nominator’s recommendation.- A concise biography of the candidate’s professional background, studies, exhibitions, publications, grants and prizes received.- An explanatory brief of no more than 1000 words by the candidate outlining the project presented for the award. The candidate must agree to finish the project by December 2014 at the latest, for catalogue publication deadline and the creation of the exhibition if applicable. This document must be signed by the candidate.- Candidates shall submit a selection of 10-25 photographs (no larger than 16”x20” 40x50cm), referring both to their past work, and if applicable, preparatory sketches for their future project, as well as published material e.g. books, articles, and/or other relevant printed material. It is preferable not to send digital material.- The Israel Museum will not be held responsible for the loss of submissions in transit. At the end of the judging process all unused supporting materials will be returned to the candidates. The application forms and other relevant information will be kept for the archives of the prize. Submissions should also include a self-addressed envelope for the return of the material.- Any employees or persons presently affiliated with the members of the jury, with the Israel Museum and/or the Shpilman Art and Culture Foundation are not allowed to apply for the prize, or be nominators and any such candidacies will automatically be disqualified. Print application formTime Frame:1. Upon the announcement of the prize in January 2012, applications should be sent to the Israel Museum and reach their destination no later than September 1, 2012.The destination address should read as follows: The Shpilman Prize Noel and Harriette Levine Department of Photography The Israel Museum P. O. Box 71117 Jerusalem, 91710ISRAEL Correspondence for additional information may be sent to the same address or e-mailed to: shpilmanprize@imj.org.il 2. The Jury will convene during the month of October, 2012.3. The winner will be announced by the end of November 2012.4. The award ceremony will take place in Jerusalem at the end of the same year (exact date to be announced).5. The project will have to be concluded and the results submitted to the Israel Museum by December 31, 2014.6. The publication and/or exhibition will be realized in the course of 2015.
http://www.imj.org.il/shpilmanprize/Regulations.html