- Early stage researcher (ESR)
Early-stage researchers are those who are, at the time of selection by the host institution, in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged.
- Experienced researchers (ER)
Experienced researchers must, at the time of selection by the host organisation: -either be in possession of a doctoral degree, irrespective of the time taken to acquire it, – or have at least four years of full-time equivalent research experience. In both cases, they should have less than 5 years of full-time equivalent research experience. This is measured from the date when they obtained the degree which formally entitles them to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the research training is provided, irrespective of whether or not a doctorate was envisaged.
It should be noted that an individual researcher may not be recruited first as an ESR and subsequently as an ER in the same network.
Example A: a researcher has graduated with a first degree in biology in 2004 and would like to start her Ph.D. in 2007. She is eligible as an ESR within the ITN as she has less than 4 years of research experience and no PhD.
Example B: a researcher obtained her PhD after 3 ½ years. She is not eligible as an ESR within the ITN even though she has less than 4 years of research experience. However, she would be eligible to be appointed as an Experienced Researcher within the first five years of her career.
Example C: a researcher obtained her PhD after 4 years and subsequently worked in research for 13 months under a postdoctoral position. She would not be eligible to be appointed as an ER as her research experience exceeds the first five years of her career.
Example D: a researcher is in the process of writing up her Ph.D. after 4½ years of research and would like to apply for an appointment within an ITN. While she has not yet gained her doctorate, she would not be considered as an ESR due to her level of experience. However, she would be eligible for recruitment as an ER.
Transnational Mobility
Researchers are normally required to undertake trans-national mobility (i.e. move from one country to another) when taking up their appointment. One general rule applies to the appointment of researchers in a network:
At the time of selection by the host organisation, researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organization for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment. Short stays, such as holidays, are not taken into account. As far as international European interest organisations or international organisations are concerned, this rule does not apply to the hosting of eligible researchers, however the appointed researcher must not have spent more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the selection by the host organisation in the same appointing organisation.
Example E: a French researcher has moved to Germany for the first time and has carried out research there for the last six months. He can be appointed within an ITN team in Germany.
Example F: a German researcher has spent 11 months in Germany just prior to his appointment. Before that period he’s been working in the UK for 3 years. Thus, he can be appointed in an ITN team in Germany.
Secondments
Recruited researchers can be seconded to other full network partners and/or to associated partners for a duration of up to 30% of their recruitment period. Normal practice during secondments is for the researcher to be appointed by the sending institute, which also pays his/her travel and subsistence expenses (e.g. accommodation). In multi-site ITNs the receiving institution would be expected to pay the expenses associated with the research activities of the researcher at its site. For mono-site ITNs the research expenses of the seconded researcher would usually be covered by the sending institute.
Example: an Early-stage researcher recruited for a period of 36 months by an astrophysics institute in Germany will spend two periods of secondment of each 5 months at two associated partners from the private sector in order to profit from specific training facilities.
