Fellowship Research Group (FRG)-Leader(s)

VACANCIES / Fellowship Research Group (FRG)-Leader(s)


Research Position: Fellowship Research Group (FRG)-Leader
Number of Positions: 3
Positions Category: Employment contract
Location: RISE, Nicosia, Cyprus
 
The Research Centre on Interactive Media, Smart System and Emerging Technologies (RISE), announces 3 full-time positions for Team Leaders -- Principal Investigators (PIs) for Fellowship Research Groups (FRG) of RISE. RISE is an equal opportunity employer. FRG PIs will be employed full-time and based in the premises of the RISE Centre in Nicosia, Cyprus. The positions are open to everyone, internationally.
 
RISE is a newly founded research centre in Cyprus aiming to become a centre of excellence empowering knowledge and technology transfer in the region. It is a joint venture between the Municipality of Nicosia, the Max Planck Institute for Informatics (Germany), the University College London (UK) and the three public universities of Cyprus - University of Cyprus, Cyprus University of Technology, and Open University of Cyprus. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017 (Teaming Phase 2) under grant agreement No. 739578, as well as from the Cypriot Government, local and international partners and other sponsors.
 
A major research focus of RISE is on interactive media. Interactive media have become an integral part of our lives, changing the way that information is conveyed to the user and the ways users interact with devices, with other people, and with the world around them. Research in RISE integrates the Visual Sciences, Human Factors & Design, and Communications & Artificial Intelligence, in a tight synergy that provides an unique interdisciplinary research perspective emphasising an “Inspired by Humans, Designed for Humans” philosophy. RISE is designed to act as an integrator of academic research and industrial innovation, towards the sustainable fuelling of the scientific, technological, and economic growth of Cyprus and Europe. For more information about RISE, please visit www.rise.org.cy.
 
The opportunity to create a Fellowship Research Group (FRG) within RISE will be assessed according to the expertise of the Team Leader, the FRG’s potential impact (both research and socioeconomic), synergies with other RTDI activities and the Multidisciplinary Research Groups (MRGs) of RISE (http://www.rise.org.cy/en-gb/vacancies/mrgs/), and its likelihood of being able to become financially self-sustaining in the longer term.
We are looking for highly motivated researchers with a background in the centre‘s research pillars: (i) Visual Sciences, (ii) Human Factors & Design, (iii) Communications & Artificial Intelligence. Initially, a FRG for each one of the research pillars will be formed. Group leaders will receive the status of FRG leader, including the right to hire and supervise research associates based on an accompanying budget.
 
Employment Terms
RISE will fund salaries of the scientific personnel of each FRG which includes the Team Leader heading it as well as 2 research associates. The contract will be for 5 years, reviewed annually. A very competitive salary will be offered depending on the candidate’s qualifications and experience. FRGs will also have additional allowance for equipment, travelling and visiting the Advanced Partners (MPI and UCL).
 
Duties and Responsibilities
The Team Leader will manage the FRG and mentor the research associates, guiding all RTDI activities within their proposed FRG.
The Team Leader and his/her team will have the opportunity to conduct basic and applied research within their proposed area of interest as well as establish synergies with other RTDI activities of RISE and other research groups (http://www.rise.org.cy/en-gb/vacancies/mrgs/). They will have the ability and responsibility to secure additional funding through any of their RTDI activities (e.g. national and EU research funding, industry collaborations, and joint IP exploitation, etc.), which will enable them to increase their research team and extend the duration of their time at RISE beyond the initial 5-year period. Outstanding and sustained quality of research outputs are expected by the FRGs and their Team Leaders.
Team Leaders and their teams will have to participate in RISE operations (e.g., internal RISE committees, etc.) and actively contribute to the tasks/deliverables of RISE’s H2020 Teaming Project. Further, FRGs will have a role in dissemination activities including presenting and publishing research results in prestigious international conferences and journals and critically contribute to the centre’s flagship projects where the involvement and cooperation of multiple FRGs and MRGs will be demanded from all research disciplines.
Team leaders (and their teams) will need to have full-time physical presence at RISE in Cyprus, but they are also expected to spend one year abroad (including all group members) at the Consortium’s Advanced Partners in the UK and Germany.
 
Qualifications for Team Leaders

  1. A recent PhD degree in a relevant field (e.g. Interactive Media, Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Virtual Reality, Neuroscience, Psychology, Digital Sociology, Museum Studies, Educational Technology, Information Technology, Design, Human Computer Interaction, Physics, Mathematics) from an accredited institution
  2. International postdoctoral experience will be a plus
  3. Excellent knowledge of both spoken and written English language
  4. Prior research experience and evidence of high-impact research publications
  5. Previous relevant industrial/applied-research experience will be a plus
  6. Strong grant-writing experience and project management
  7. For non EU applicants a work permit will be required
 
Interested candidates should submit the following items online at form.jotform.me
  1. Cover letter which clearly specifies availability date for full time employment of the Team Leader.
  2. A proposal for the FRG (up to three pages long), outlining the FRG planning for the next 5 years, including group composition, foreseen instrumentation to be required, and expected activity. The proposal must include how the research focus of the proposed FRG is aligned with the centre’s focus.
  3. Short summary of research interests and achievements of the Team Leader (2 pages max).
  4. CV (including contact details and complete list of publications).
  5. Copies of degree certificates (BSc./MSc., PhD).
  6. Three most important publications.
  7. Contact details of three referees, either all academic or two academic and one from the industry. References will only be requested for short-listed candidates. The candidate will be responsible, if short-listed, for asking the referees to send a recommendation letter at vacancies@rise.org.cy by the interview date.
 
The deadline for applications is 5th of May 2019.
 
All applications are treated in the strictest confidence.
 
For general inquiries, applicants may contact the Senior HR Business Partner of RISE at vacancies@rise.org.cy
 




Call: H2020-WIDESPREAD-01-2016-2017 (Teaming Phase 2)
This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No. 739578


This project has received funding from the Government of the Republic of Cyprus through the Directorate General for the European Programmes, Coordination and Development.