Research & development

Post-Doctoral Research Programme

Liepaja University Regulation on pre-selection of post-doctoral research applications for submission to the next round of research application selection in measure 1.1.1.2 “Postdoctoral Research Funding” in the framework of 1.1.1. specific support objective “To Increase Research and Innovation Capacity of Scientific Institutions of Latvia and their Ability to Attract External Funding by investing in Human Resources and Infrastructure” within Operational Programme “Growth and Employment”.

 

Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers regulating implementation of the measure of specific support objective

Regulation of the Cabinet of Ministers No 50 (January 19, 2016) on “Implementation of measure 1.1.1.2 “Post-doctoral Research Funding” in the framework of 1.1.1. specific support objective “To Increase Research and Innovation Capacity of Scientific Institutions of Latvia and their Ability to Attract External Funding by investing in Human Resources and Infrastructure” within Operational Programme “Growth and Employment” (Further: SAM MK Regulation)  

Aim of pre-selection competition of postdoctoral researchers’ applications to Liepaja University

To select post-doctoral researchers according to the requirements stated in Article 25.1. of the SAM MK Regulation for preparing of research applications and implementation of research applications on the basis of human resources development plan and research programme of Liepaja University giving the priority to the following areas of science fields: information technologies, ecotechnologies, engineering science, sustainable development of the society (education, health, social welfare), new media art, Letonica.

Funding conditions

According to SAM MK Regulation: 
Maximum total referable funding of the research application is EUR 133,806. 
The following costs are eligible in the framework of unrelated to economic activity research application:
  • Post-doctoral researcher’s (staff) costs account for up to EUR 2,731 monthly, including state social insurance contributions and others social guarantees as stated in legal documents;
  • Unit cost is 800 euro per person monthly according to Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action grant programme “Individual Fellowships” of the European Union research and innovation programme “Horizon 2020”, which comprises costs included in subpoints of SAM MK Article 48.
Referable funding for research applications related to economic activity is determined in subpoints of Article 49 in SAM MK Regulation.

Type of implementation of post-doctoral researchers’ selection

Open selection of post-doctoral researchers’ applications

Submission deadline of post-doctoral researchers’ applications

From September 12, 2016 

Until October 15, 2016

I. Requirements for post-doctoral researchers

1. Post-doctoral researcher who according to 2.9. subpoint of SAM MK Regulation is a researcher from Latvia or from another country and who has been awarded the doctoral degree not more than five years before the deadline of the submission of post-doctoral research funding application to the competition announced by the State Education Development Agency is eligible for participation in the selection regardless of age, race, gender, ethnicity, political affiliation, social status or any other characteristics (hereinafter referred to as an applicant). The time period can be prolonged until two years if the person has reasonable grounds: parental leave or temporary incapacity for work

2. If research application is accepted, a post-doctoral researcher cannot simultaneously receive:

2.1. funding within the framework of this measure and funding in measure 1.1.1.1 "Practical research support" and measure 1.1.1.3 "Innovation grants for students" of the priority direction “Research, technological development and innovations” of 1.1.1 specific support objective “To Increase Research and Innovation Capacity of Scientific Institutions of Latvia and their Ability to Attract External Funding by investing in Human Resources and Infrastructure” within Operational Programme “Growth and Employment”.

2.2. salary in another project or work place, except for the cases when outside employment’s working hours of a post-doctoral researcher in academic work (except for the post of a leading researcher, researcher or scientific assistant) or in contract commercial research do not exceed 0.2 of full-time load equivalent. In such cases the record of work schedule is necessary in order to observe the employment restrictions stated by the law

3. A post-doctoral researcher, who has once received post-doctoral research support funding, is not eligible for the selection.

 

II. Procedure of submission of post-doctoral researchers’ application and the necessary documents

4. Liepaja University prepares and announces the pre-selection of post-doctoral researchers’ applications according to 21.1. subpoint of SAM MK Regulations. The pre-selection regulation is published in the Liepaja University website www.liepu.lv in Latvian and English.

5. A post-doctoral researcher is entitled to submit an application personally (Liepaja University, Lielā street 14, Liepaja, Latvia, Room No 214, from 9.00 until 16.00) or sent the application by e-mail: guna.puce@liepu.lv, or send the application by post, indicating – „for pre-selection of post-doctoral applications” to the following address: Lielā street 14, Liepaja, Latvia, LV-3401 from September 12, 2016 until October 15, 2016 (postmark).

6. The application consists of:  

6.1. a letter of application to the selection of post-doctoral researchers applications (Supplement 1);

6.2. an application form, which corresponds to a part from the “Research project proposal” (in English) (Supplement 2);

6.3. post-doctoral researcher’s Curriculum Vitae (Europass CV) (in English);

6.4. diploma copies certifying acquisition of the degree of doctor of science;

6.5. approval of the post-doctoral researcher’s approval that the post-doctorate researcher has not before received support within such events and that in case of receiving the support for research application, he/she will not simultaneously receive the support within this event and within the priority direction “Research, development of technologies and innovations” of the program “Growth and employment”, within the framework of the specific aim 1.1.1.“To increase research and innovative capacity of Latvian scientific institutions and also the ability to attract external funding, by investing into human resources and infrastructure”, event 1.1.1.1. “Practical research support” and event 1.1.1.3. “Innovation grants for students” (Supplement 3)

6.6. information about the readiness of the potential collaboration partner to take part in implementation of the research application (if applicable);

6.7. information about possible scientific/national economy consultant;

6.8. approval of a businessman or businessmen institution about the importance of the research in English language (if applicable, Supplement 4);

6.9. Other documents which show the post-doctoral researcher’s abilities, knowledge and capacity, including copies of publications or references to the websites where they have been published, information on participation in conferences, language certificates, information on participation in implementation and administration of research projects obtained on competitive basis, information on international cooperation and other documents.

 

III. The order of pre-selection of applications

7. To evaluate post-doctoral researchers according to the order of Liepaja University rector to form an evaluation commission (further referred to as commission), which evaluates the applications within five working days, preparing an individual assessment page for each applicant (Supplement 5). Meetings of the commission are recorded in protocols.

8. When evaluating applications of post-doctoral researches, at first it is necessary to check the correspondence of the applicant to the requirement of the part II of this regulation and also the correspondence of the submitted documents to the requirements of the part III of this regulation. If non-correspondence of the applicant or submitted documents is found, the commission makes the reasoned decision on denying the applicant.

9. Criteria for assessment of post-doctoral researchers (supplement 5):

9.1. quality of application in respect to the research topic and scientific excellence;

9.2. effect of research topic application;

9.3. implementation of the planned research;

9.4. scientific capacity of post-doctoral research;

9.5. contribution of the topic of research to achievement of the Latvian smart specialisation strategy aims, when implementing the priorities of growth or developing the field of specialisation;

9.6. correspondence of the topic to the research program of Liepaja University, to research fields and to the human resource plan.

10. The commission generalizes assessments of the applications, ordering them in the priority list, starting with ones receiving the largest amount of points. If there are priority fields defined by the institution, the commission orders the assessments by fields, starting with the ones receiving the largest amount of points.

11. The Commission makes the decision on the corresponding applications of post-doctoral researchers, who are promoted for preparation and submission of research applications in measure 1.1.1.2 “Postdoctoral Research Funding” in the framework of 1.1.1. specific support objective “To Increase Research and Innovation Capacity of Scientific Institutions of Latvia and their Ability to Attract External Funding by investing in Human Resources and Infrastructure” within Operational Programme “Growth and Employment”

12. Secretary of the commission generalizes the results in the protocol signed by the chair of the commission.

13. The chair of the commission according to the decision of the commission prepares the order of Liepaja University, which is issued by the rector of Liepaja University and provides publishing of the decision at the webpage of Liepaja University www.liepu.lv in Latvian and English languages, and also sends the results of the competition to the applicants using the type of communication indicated by the applicants.

14. After the approval of the pre-selection competition results, following 25.2. subpoint of SAM MK Regulations, Liepaja University agrees with the supported post-doctoral researcher on the content of research application, technical and financial cooperation, the choice of a cooperation partner, the rights, obligations and responsibility of the parties, usage and introduction of research results, publicity and commercial conditions; together with the post-doctoral researcher prepares the research application and submits it to the next selection round of measure 1.1.1.2 “Post-doctoral Research Funding” in the framework of 1.1.1. specific support objective “To Increase Research and Innovation Capacity of Scientific Institutions of Latvia and their Ability to Attract External Funding by investing in Human Resources and Infrastructure” within Operational Programme “Growth and Employment”.

15. If five working days before the deadline of the submission of the research application to the next selection round, the agreement has not been achieved regarding activities stated in Point 14 of this regulation or an applicant has not fulfilled any of the agreement’s points concerning the preparation of the application, Liepaja University-rector or the person authorized by the rector rejects submission of the post-doctoral researcher’s application to the next round by informing the commission and the applicant about it in writing. The commission’s secretary records the information in the protocol which is signed by the chairperson of the commission.

16. If Liepaja University rector or the persone authorized by the rector holds the view that 10 working days before the deadline of the submission of the research application to the next selection round, the research project proposal in English of appropriate quality has not been received, the commission is asked to express its opinion. The commission evaluates the research project proposal in English again, providing a reasoned approval or rejection. If the commission confirms that the research project proposal in English is not of relevant quality, Liepaja University rector or the person authorized by the rector rejects submission of the post-doctoral researcher’s application to the next round by informing the commission and the applicant about it in writing. The commission’s secretary records the information in the protocol which is signed by the chairperson of the commission.

 

Supplement I

Supplement II

Supplement III

Supplement IV

Supplement V

 


More information about Post-doctoral Research Programme in Latvian State Education Development Agency web page HERE

 

Vice Rector of Research

Dr.philol. IEVA OZOLA