The transitional arrangements between the EU and Switzerland allow for Swiss based researchers to apply for the coming Consolidator Grant call (ERC work programme 2025).
This document describes the process for getting support from the Institute of Physics (IPHYS) to apply as an external candidate, non-professor or PANTT internal candidate (unless the ERC project ends before the PANTT contract). EPFL PATTs and PAs can refer to the ERC Consolidator Grants application toolkit (available after the opening of the call) for their own application process.
Generalities
ERC Consolidator Grant applicants who would like to work at IPHYS must first be approved by the hosting institute according to the process described below. IPHYS will consider applications on a case-by-case basis.
ERC Consolidator Grant applicants must be hosted by a research unit and should therefore first obtain support from the host professor. IPHYS considers ERC Consolidator Grants as internal grants to the hosting laboratory. Therefore, the hosting laboratory takes all responsibilities for this grant similarly to any other type of grants.
Upon successful application, ERC Consolidator Grant awardees will receive the title of Research and Teaching Associate. They have the right to supervise PhD-thesis involved in their project (with co-supervision of an EPFL professor).
Internal applicants already working at EPFL must beware that the total duration of employment (CDD) at EPFL requires special exception beyond 6 years and can in no circumstances exceed 9 years.
Procedure
The hosting professor needs to state in a support letter (using the IPHYS template provided below) that they commit to provide the necessary space, infrastructure, and administrative support for the success of the proposed project. Moreover, the hosting professor must be ready to take over the supervision and funding of the involved PhD students, should the grant holder leave EPFL.
To seek support of the institute for application, candidates should send to the institute director (at [email protected]) the following documents: CV with publication list, short summary of main achievements to date (max. 1 page), outline of proposed project (max. 3 pages), reasons for IPHYS as host (max. 1 page), support letter by hosting professor (using the IPHYS template provided below). This should be done as soon as possible but no later than 18/11/2024.
If the application is supported by IPHYS, the applicant is notified and can send their file together with the support letter to the Research Office to obtain the EPFL commitment letter.
The Research Office has published an application toolkit containing all details on the EPFL application process. Please read all the documents carefully, follow the instructions and make sure that your application file fulfils all the requirements. Incomplete files will not be considered. If you have questions regarding the IPHYS procedure, please contact Blandine Jérôme ([email protected], +41 21 69 33376). If you have questions regarding the application toolkit, please contact the Research Office ([email protected]).
Timeline & deadlines
IPHYS deadlines are at midnight on the indicated date. Files received after the deadline will not be considered.
ERC call opening: September 26th, 2024
IPHYS internal application deadline: November 18th, 2024
EPFL internal deadline: December 16th, 2024
ERC application deadline: January 14th, 2025
Links
IPHYS template for support letter by hosting professor
EPFL toolkit for ERC Consolidator Grants