Call for Expressions of Interest for the 2021 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships, to be hosted by the Department of Sociology

Why Sociology at York?

Since its establishment in 1963 our Department has risen to become the top-rated UK sociology department for research with 100% of research impact rated 4* during REF 2014. We are in the world top 100 for Sociology (QS World Rankings by Subject 2021). With impressive credentials and a supportive atmosphere, our innovative Department produces world-leading, transformative research that makes a difference both within and beyond the academy, making it an ideal location for early career researchers to develop an ambitious research career.

Research is carried out within four research clusters, consisting of academic staff and research students:

• Culture, Values and Practices
• Gender, Sexuality and Inequalities
• Language and Social Interaction
• Science, Health and Technology

Our interdisciplinary research centres bring together a diverse community of scholars and non-academic partners to conduct world-leading research:

• Centre for Advanced Studies in Language and Communication
• Centre for URBan research
• Centre for Women’s Studies
• Science and Technology Studies Unit

Our research clusters and centres provide a dynamic intellectual environment, stimulating debate and inspiring the design and delivery of world-leading research. Interaction between them is facilitated by a vibrant programme of conferences, workshops, seminars and research visitors to develop and enhance research collaborations with academics and research users both nationally and internationally.

Eligibility

Please refer to the call guidelines: A summary of key points is provided below.

Eligibility criteria*:

• Researchers must have a doctoral degree at the date of the call deadline. At the call deadline, researchers must also have a maximum of eight years full-time equivalent experience in research
• For European Postdoctoral Fellowships (i.e. held at University of York), researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies etc.,) in the UK for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.
• For Global Postdoctoral Fellowships, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies etc.,) in the country of the 'Third Country' host organisation for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before the call deadline.
• Researchers can be of any nationality. However, researchers going to a third country (as part of a Global Postdoctoral Fellowship) must be nationals or long-term residents of EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries. Long-term residence means a period of legal and continuous residence within EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries of at least five consecutive years.

* Note that these are a summary only, and the full eligibility criteria can be found on the funder website. It’s crucial for the candidate to fully check all eligibility criteria in the funder guidance notes before progressing.

Other key criteria:

• The objective of MCSA PFs is to support researchers’ careers and foster excellence in research
• There are two types of fellowship:

1) European Postdoctoral Fellowships - fellows can be hosted at University of York, with fellowships lasting between 12 and 24 months.

2) Global Postdoctoral Fellowships - fellows go on an ‘outgoing phase’ which would be hosted in a Third Country (not associated to Horizon Europe) for up to 24 month, with the fellow then coming back to University of York for the ‘return phase’ for a final 12 months

The scheme provides support for the recruited researcher in the form of:

• a living allowance
• a mobility allowance
• if applicable, family, long-term leave and special needs allowance.

Application process

Only applicants who meet the eligibility criteria will be considered.

You must have identified the most suitable mentor/supervisor within the Department, and ideally you should have made contact with them in advance of applying, to seek their support. If if timings before the deadline prevent this initial discussion, please let us know, advising of your proposed mentor, with a second option in the event that your first choice is not contactable in time.

Expression of Interest application forms should be forwarded to sheila.davitt@york.ac.uk as soon as possible, but by Monday 9 August 2021 at the latest.

Candidates will be advised of decisions within 7-10 days of the submission deadline.

If invited to submit a full proposal, you will work with your academic mentor to write the proposal, support will be provided with the budget and application process by our Research Facilitator and your application will be peer-reviewed by academic staff.

Timeline