IMéRA - Laboratory for Cross-disciplinary Exploration of Science, France

IMéRA: Laboratory for Cross-disciplinary Exploration

A foundation of Aix-Marseille University, IMéRA is an Institute for Advanced Study, a unique research centre where both emerging and top-level scientists can take advantage of residence schemes to carry out innovative research projects.

IMéRA is specifically aimed at fostering cross-disciplinary projects.

It receives scientists and artists of all disciplines (in residence between 3 and 10 months), as well as a few cross-disciplinary teams with joint projects for short stays (2 to 4 weeks).

Research undertaken at the Institute is meant to develop interaction within social science, within science, between social science and hard, experimental and health sciences, and links between art and science.

The Institute thus contributes to the emergence and development of world-class cross-disciplinary research approaches on Aix-Marseille University ground and grooms young researchers for such approaches.

IMéRA also enthusiastically welcomes projects bearing on Mediterranean territories or submitted by researchers from the Mediterranean rim.

In their applications, candidates should clearly demonstrate their interest in cross-disciplinary projects on the basis of their research or itineraries, by:

providing a list of already experienced cross-disciplinary collaborations or of publications calling for such collaboration schemes; or
proposing to start one such collaboration and specifying its characteristics; or
detailing expected contributions from cross-fertilisation of their own research program with perspectives and intellectual resources of other disciplines.
IMéRA gives preference to high-aspiring research projects conducive to inter-disciplinary collaboration on complex science issues or major society challenges.

Residents carry out their research in connection with Aix-Marseille University (AMU) teams and laboratories or with partner bodies. It is compulsory to include a letter of interest by an Aix-Marseille University researcher to the application.

A – SCHEDULE

Deadline: 18 November 2016 (this date included)

Duration of residences: 5 or 10 months

Residence periods (to be chosen by the candidates, several choices are possible):

11 Sept 2017 to 9 Feb 2018 (5 months) - scientists and artists
19 Feb 2018 to 13 July 2018 (5 months) - scientists and artists
11 Sept 2017 to 13 July 2018 (10 months) - only scientists
B – WHO CAN QUALIFY

This call is open to scientists with official status and artists of all disciplines, both junior and senior.

To be eligible, scientist applicants must meet the following 3 conditions:

Not to have lived in France more than 12 months during the three years preceding this call for applications;
Hold a Doctorate or PhD;
Hold a university or research position for a minimum of two years as at the closing date of this call for applications.
To be eligible, artist applicants must meet the following 2 conditions:

Not to have lived in France more than 12 months during the three years preceding this call for applications;
Carry out a research project in connection with science.

C - SELECTION CRITERIA

Application assessment criteria include, but are not limited to:

• candidate’s course;
• research project;interdisciplinary component;
• Relevance of the research project in terms of its connection with the Aix-Marseille area (potential interaction with local facilities, teams and research centres; use of local resources – field, archives, etc.).