Formas' annual call 2010 for applications for positions as assistant professor

The Swedish Research Council Formas is calling for applications for positions as assistant professor in all the areas of responsibility of the Council. The objective of such a position is that the holder of the position should build up his/her expertise and acquire qualifications for a continued career in research.

The mission of Formas is to promote and support basic research and need-driven research in the areas Environment, Agricultural Sciences and Spatial Planning. The research that is funded should be of the highest scientific quality and relevance to the areas of responsibility of the Council. Formas may also fund development projects to a limited extent.

The research should produce knowledge that will contribute to the sustainable development of society - a development which meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. This presupposes that the health and welfare of humans and animals, biodiversity, the environment and the viability of nature, economics, ethics, and social and cultural values are taken into consideration.

A detailed description of the strategy of Formas will be found in Formas' strategies and research programmes.

Formas welcomes applications, including an interdisciplinary – multidisciplinary orientation, from all areas of responsibility of the Council. The criteria for the assessment and ranking of the applications are scientific quality and societal values for Formas' areas of responsibility. Gender perspectives should be taken into account in project proposals where this is relevant. Grants may be used as Swedish co-funding of EU projects with an R&D orientation.

The earliest date of commencement of projects is January 2011. Applications for positions may be made for four years, 2011 – 2014. A previous position as assistant professor reduces the number of years for which funds will be granted; details of previous employment as an assistant professor must therefore be specified in the CV.

The basic conditions for positions as assistant professor are set out in the Decree (2000:1472, as amended by 2004:384 and 2007:429) concerning positions funded by research councils. When Formas approves a position as assistant professor, Formas also decides on the employment of the person. In the application for such a position, the applicant must therefore state, inter alia, at which host institution he/she wishes to take up such a position. Before a definitive decision regarding a position is made, Formas contacts the university or university college (host institution) where the applicant wishes to take up such a position. This is done in order to receive the confirmation of the host institution that the person is accepted to be employed there.
 
The decision of Formas regarding such a position can be appealed. After a subsequent appeal has been resolved and the decision of Formas has gained legal force, the responsibility for the position is transferred to the host institution.

To be eligible to apply, the applicant must have been awarded her/his doctorate not more than five calendar years prior to 1 January the year of the application, i.e. not earlier than 1 January 2005, and not later than 1 November 2010. Parental leave, illness, military service or some other special circumstances which prevented research activity during the time after the award of the doctorate should be specified in the CV and may be a reason to make an exception from the five year rule. Postdoctoral qualifications are desirable.

Applications will be assessed by Formas' standing evaluation panels, which primarily are comprised by researchers.

Formas Handbook 2010 contains a detailed description of Formas policies and rules, the forms of project support, and the application procedure and information on how applications are assessed.

The call will close and the application has to be registered in FormasDirect at 24:00 hrs, 27 April 2010. Technical support from Formas is provided for until 16:45 on the last day of application. Please, make certain to submit your application in time before 16:45 in case that you will need technical support. Applications are to be made via an online form on Formas' website.

The Scientific Council of Formas will make its decision on applications on 29 November 2010. The results of the decision will be announced the next day on Formas' website.

For further information, please contact:
Jacob Silva Paulsen, Senior Research Officer
Tel. +46 8-775 4031
E-mail:

Formas' duty telephone, +46 8-775 4005, is open on weekdays 20-27 April  8.00 - 16.45, in order to answer queries of a general nature.

Queries relating to specific disciplines will be answered by the relevant Senior Research Officers.