IMéRA/AMSE: Call for Applications

The IMéRA/AMSE call for projects is open to researchers in economics, but also in the following disciplines, insofar as the project allows for interaction with the economic science: biology and medicine, law, geography, history, mathematics, neuroeconomics, philosophy, statistics, political science and sociology.

Within the framework of this call, all research projects will be considered, especially those that present a certain element of risk in launching a particularly innovative project, and those aiming to produce a work of synthesis.

As an example, IMéRA/AMSE are particularly interested in projects concerning economic philosophy, inequality, development, economic geography, neuroeconomics and historical perspectives on growth.

Aix-Marseille Sciences Economiques/Aix-Marseille School of Economics (AMSE) was selected in 2011 as a Labex (Laboratory of Excellence) within the framework of the Grand Emprunt. AMSE is part of Aix Marseille University and is structured around three research centres: Greqam (centre for economic research), Sesstim (research centre for the economics and social sciences of health and medical information processing) and Idep (a public-economics think-tank).

AMSE has three missions. Firstly, it presents a vast programme of research on the theme “Gobalization and public action”, which covers projects ranging from international trade to the formalization of social preferences, the study of inequality, development and environmental economics. Secondly, AMSE proposes Master’s and PhD level courses, leading to career opportunities in academia and international institutions. Thirdly, AMSE is also focused on the valorization of economics research results among local authorities, public administration and business, and information of the general public.

A foundation of Aix-Marseille University, IMéRA is an Institute for Advanced Study, a unique research centre where both emerging and top-level scientists can take advantage of residence schemes to carry out innovative research projects. IMéRA is specifically aimed at fostering cross-disciplinary projects. It receives scientists and artists of all disciplines (in residence between 3 and 10 months), as well as a few cross-disciplinary teams with joint projects for short stays (2 to 4 weeks). Residents carry out their research in connection with Aix-Marseille University (AMU) teams and laboratories or with partner bodies.

Research undertaken at the Institute is meant to develop interaction within social science, within science, between social science and hard, experimental and health sciences, and links between art and science. The Institute thus contributes to the emergence and development of world-class cross-disciplinary research approaches on Aix-Marseille University ground and grooms young researchers for such approaches.

It also enthusiastically welcomes projects bearing on Mediterranean territories or submitted by researchers from the Mediterranean rim.

In their applications, candidates should clearly demonstrate their interest in cross-disciplinary projects on the basis of their research or itineraries, by:

• providing a list of already experienced cross-disciplinary collaborations or of publications calling for such collaboration schemes; or
• proposing to start one such collaboration and specifying its characteristics; or
• detailing expected contributions from cross-fertilisation of their own research program with perspectives and intellectual resources of other disciplines.

Schedule

Deadline: 18 November 2016 (this date included)

Duration of residences: 4, 6 or 10 months

Residence periods (to be chosen by the candidates, several choices are possible):

• 04 Sept  to 29 Dec 2017 (4 months)
• 15 Jan to 13 July 2018 (6 months)
• 04 Sept 2017 to 06 July 2018 (10 months)

Who can qualify

Special AMSE residences at IMéRA are open to researchers (senior or junior) in all disciplines and of all nationalities with a regular status in foreign institutions.

To be eligible, scientist applicants must meet the following 4 conditions:

• Not to have lived in France more than 12 months during the three years preceding this call for applications;
• Hold a Doctorate or PhD;
• Have a university or research position for minimum two years as at the closing date of this call for applications;
• Present a project in the field of economics or allowing for interaction with economics.

Selection criteria

Application assessment criteria include, but are not limited to:

• candidate’s course;
• research project;
•  interdisciplinary component;
• prospect of interactions with the AMSE (Greqam and SESSTIM) and any other research centre of Aix Marseille University.

Living conditions

Under a partnership agreement with AMSE, IMéRA offers:

Remuneration

 IMéRA will pay an allowance to researchers, who fall into two classes.

• Junior: €2,300 monthly allowance;
• Senior: €3,500 monthly allowance.

Junior class: Researchers who have 2 to 9 years of  full-time research experience after obtaining the PhD (PhD training is not considered in the calculation of experience) as at the closing date of the call for applications.

Senior class: Top-level researchers with minimum 10 years’ experience in full-time research after obtaining the PhD (PhD is not considered in the calculation of experience) as at the closing date of the call for applications, and university professors.

Accommodation

IMéRA provides free accommodation to residents in one of the apartments of the institute, situated in “Parc Longchamp” in the center of Marseille.

Requests for familial hosting at IMéRA shall absolutely be mentioned in the application form, for consideration. These requests will be satisfied within the constraints of the available accommodations at IMéRA's disposal, i.e. 14 apartments from which 4 can host families (3 apartments for a couple with one child, 1 for a couple with 2 children).

Transport

IMéRA will pay for the residents’ ticket from their usual place of residence to Marseille and back.

Research means

Within the limits of the available budget, IMéRA can fund missions and initiatives related to research projects.

IMéRA does not finance production means for resident artists planning to make pieces of work.

Resident commitments

The resident accepts the charter of the Institute which involves several commitments, including: residence at the institute, contribution to IMéRA’s activities and publications, participation in the residents’ lunch and seminar every week, and dissemination of information on the resident’s activities and achievements by IMéRA.