University College Dublin (UCD) has launched a new post-doctoral fellowship programme that aims to attract 21 world-class researchers to the UCD Energy Institute over the next five years.
Co-financed through the European Commission’s (EC) Marie Curie FP7-PEOPLE-2013-COFUND, the programme’s total value is expected to be €4.6m, of which €1.8m will be directly funded by the EC and will work towards cleaner energies and energy efficiency.
Known as ENERGY21, the programme has officially been launched today by Prof Orla Feely, UCD vice-president for research, innovation and impact and a member of the EU Horizon 2020 Advisory Group on Marie Skłodowska Curie Actions.
According to UCD, the programme is a continuation of its focus on energy research as a strategic priority and hopes it will significantly contribute to developing the capacity of the UCD Energy Institute established in September last year.
UCD also believes that by attracting international talented researchers and training them to the highest international standards, it will expand the capacity of an Irish energy sector it feels is “crippled” by a shortage of suitably qualified personnel.
The recruitment of 21 fellows will take place across three calls, with today’s event being the first call. The deadline for first-call applications is 30 September.
The 21 individuals selected will then be based in the UCD Energy Institute for two years, including an outgoing phase to another research-performing organisation in any country in the world.
Researchers will be put through a transparent and independent peer review process with the freedom to choose their topic of research and their mentor in UCD.
