Marie-Curie early-stage (Pre-PhD) researcher, Institute of Computer Science, Crete

One Early Stage Researcher (ESR) position is available
at the Institute of Computer Science (ICS),
Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas (FORTH),
Heraklion, Crete Island, Greece. This position is funded
by the European Commission under the Marie Curie
Initial Training Network Programme (project TransForm).

We address (pre-PhD) researchers with an MSc aiming at
significantly improving their career perspectives
from both the PUBLIC and PRIVATE sector. The duration of the
appointment is 20 months with a possibility of extension funded
from other sources. Applications for smaller periods will also be considered.
Applicants may also request to be considered as candidates
for the PhD program at the Department of Computer Science,
University of Crete, Greece.

RESEARCH TOPIC

The ESR will pursue research on the general area of concurrent computing
and in particular on the Theoretical Foundations of Transactional Memory.
The recruited ESR will work in close collaboration with the other academic
partners of the project and with the possibility of collaboration
with researchers from the industry.

Junior (pre-PhD) researchers with an MSc on theoretical aspects of
distributed databases
(and in particular on transaction management) are highly encouraged to
apply for these positions.

The recruited ESR will work in close collaboration with the other
academic partners of the project:

* EPFL, Switzerland (Prof. Rachid Guerraoui)
* Technische Universitaet of Berlin, Germany (Dr. Petr Kuznetsov)
* Technion, Israel (Prof. Hagit Attiya)
* University of Rennes I, France (Prof. Michel Raynal)

and with the possibility of collaboration with researchers from the industry:

* Deutsche Telekom, Germany
* Microsoft Research, Cambridge, UK
* Sun Microsystems Labs, Massachusetts, USA
* IBM T.J. Watson Research Center, USA

ELIGIBILY

The recruited researchers should be, at the time of selection, in the
first four years
of their research careers (measured from the date when they obtained the degree
which would formally entitle them to embark on
a PhD program). Also:

* ESR should not already have a PhD and they should have the
qualifications to embark on a PhD program (i.e., s/he should
have an MSc by the time of the recruitment).

* ESR should be nationals of a country other than Greece or, in case
they are Greek, they should have legally resided and have had their
principal activities (work, studies, etc.) in a non-EU country
for at least 3 out of the last 4 years, and

* ESR (regardless of their nationalities) must not have resided or
carried out their main activities (work, studies, etc.) in Greece
for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.

Eligibility Examples:
---------------------
- Example A: A researcher has already been working as a researcher in
industry for two years since graduating with his/her first degree in
computer science. S/he would be able to benefit from participation in an
ITN as an ESR even without pursuing a Ph.D. degree.

- Example B: A researcher has graduated with his/her MSc degree in
computer science in 2009 and would like to start his/her Ph.D. studies
in 2012. S/he is eligible as an ESR within the ITN as s/he has less
than 4 years of research experience and no PhD.

- Example C: A Greek researcher who has spent at least 3 out of the
last 4 years in a third country (e.g., who has done his/her BSc and/or
MSc in the US, Canada or any non-EU country) can be recruited as an ESR
at FORTH-ICS.

IMPORTANT DATES

The positions are open until appropriate candidates are found.

FINANCIAL PROVISIONS

Marie Curie fellows enjoy good salaries and working conditions,
career development opportunities and work-life balance.
More specifically, the financial support of Marie Curie ITN to the ESR includes:

* a very competitive monthly salary,

* a yearly travel allowance (i.e., a fixed amount of money based upon
the direct distance between the location of origin of the researcher and
Heraklion, Greece, where FORTH-ICS is located),

* a career exploratory allowance (i.e., a single payment for attending
job interviews, additional courses, job fairs, etc.), and
coverage of the expenses related to the participation of the ESR in
research and training activities (contribution to research-related
costs, meetings, conference attendance, training actions, etc.).

HOW TO APPLY

Please send an e-mail to Prof. Panagiota Fatouru, faturu AT csd.uoc.gr^[1]
containing your curriculum vitae.
Then, she will contact you asking for more documents if required.

GENDER EQUALITY

FORTH is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates are
particularly encouraged to apply.
Panagiota Fatourou (the coordinator of TransForm) is a woman, as well
as half of the project researchers. This identifies the extra sensitivity
of TransForm to gender equality issues; all possible efforts will be
made to increase
participation of women researchers in the project.

THE TRAINING PROCESS

TransForm aims at improving the career perspectives of researchers by offering
structured training in the challenging research area of Transactional Memory,
as well as providing complementary skills and exposing the researchers
to other sectors including private companies. More specifically, the ESRs
will work in close collaboration with leading researchers in the field
of concurrent computing over Europe; five well-known universities and
research institutes (listed above) participate in the project.
Strong collaboration among the research teams is a must
for Marie-Curie Initial Training Networks and the ESRs will have
the opportunity of visits and secondments to the institutions
of the other partners of the network. Additionally, the ESRs will be
given the opportunity to come in touch with strong industrial partners
since researchers from well-known companies, like Deutsche Telekom (Germany),
Microsoft Research, Cambridge (UK), the un Labs, Oracle, Massachusetts,
and the IBM T.J. Watson Research Center in the US, stand at the supervisory
board of the project.

Training also includes network-wide training activities with the long-term goal
of providing a full-power training to the ESRs. Examples of such
activities are the
attendance of workshops and summer schools, courses that provide
complementary training
(such as project management, presentation skills, language courses, ethics,
IPR, communication, etc.), involvement in the organisation of network
activities,
and other aspects such as proposal writing, task co-ordination, etc.

FORTH ICS & UNIVERSITY OF CRETE

The Institute of Computer Science (ICS) is one of the leading research centres
in Greece with well-organized facilities and highly qualified staff. It has an
internationally acknowledged reputation in conducting basic and
applied research,
developing applications and products, and providing services. It has strong
international collaborations, and has formed several alliances with
industrial partners
both inside Greece and internationally. FORTH ICS provides all the required
facilities for a successful career in computer science. It is located
at the relatively-new,
modern building of FORTH which provides all required infrastructure. Some
of its facilities include several computer labs, fully equipped seminar halls,
access to auditorium, and a library with a rich collection to support
the research and
educational needs of the project. ESRs that envision a PhD in computer
science, will have
to follow the PhD mechanisms of the Department of Computer Science of the
University of Crete, one of the top universities in Greece (follow the
links for more information).

THE BEAUTIFUL ISLAND OF CRETE

Living in Crete, the biggest (and one of the most beautiful) island in Greece,
can become an exciting experience. Crete is a multicolored mosaic of mythology,
history, culture, friendly and proud people, rough mountains, gorges, the always
bright Cretan sun and the deep sea that surrounds the island. In addition to the
facilities offered by its big cities, one can really enjoy the beauty
of the landscape
and the mountains. The island offers a wide range of outdoor activities, from
mountaineering to all kind of water-sports, to tennis, basketball and football.
Rock climbing, paragliding, parapente, parachute, hiking (i.e., through the
spectacular Europe's longest Samaria Gorge as well as through many other smaller
but well-known gorgeous gorges of the island), mountain bike, all kind
of sea sports
(from swimming to diving at a wonderful undersea world, to sailing,
etc.), cave exploration,
as well as a plethora of other activities (like horse riding,
participation in local feasts, etc.) are only some of the adventurous
choices offered on the island.
Other attractions include the remains of the Minoan civilization at
Knossos, as well as
a wide collection of other archeological sites of interest, the astonishing
Archaeological Museum in Iraklio, picturesque villages spread all
around the island,
the well-known traditional Cretan food, and the wonderful beaches on
the southern
side of Crete.

Several beautiful small islands (like Gavdos, Chrissi, etc.) are very
close to Crete
and are popular destinations for one day cruises. Moreover, Crete is just two
hours sailing away from the magnificent island of Santorini (Thira) in Cyclades
from which most of the Cyclades islands can be reached.

-----------------------
More information about the project can be found at:
www.ics.forth.gr/carv/transform^[2]

References

1. ^{^} csd.uoc.gr (csd.uoc.gr)
2. ^{^} www.ics.forth.gr/carv/transform (www.ics.forth.gr)