Periodic Reporting for period 1 - KiTE (Kiel Training for Excellence)
Reporting period: 2023-01-01 to 2024-12-31
Kiel University is a mid-sized and research-intensive university offering the full spectrum of academic disciplines, which at the same time has pursued a path of internal differentiation. The concentration and interconnection of disciplinary knowledge spaces has given rise to four interdisciplinary Priority Research Areas (PRAs): Nano, Surface and Interface Science; Life Science; Marine Science; and Societal, Environmental and Cultural Change. Their transfaculty research cultures integrate knowledge from different fields and actors to study complex challenges and contribute to their solution.
Kiel University is convinced that knowledge at interfaces will shape future generations of researchers. The KiTE fellowship programme offers an excellent training programme with the highest standards of research integrity in the truly interdisciplinary environments of the PRAs to 16 experienced, internationally mobile researchers post their doctorate. Fellows will be recruited in open topic calls applying merit-based criteria, gender-fair and transparent selection procedures. Chosen according to the interdisciplinary potential of their project and their individual excellence, they will find competitive working conditions and excellent infrastructure in Kiel. The fellows will be awarded a three-year full-time employment contract with a training programme that will broaden their skills through hands-on research experience and integration within the university’s international and intersectoral networks. They will each complete two secondments of three months at partner institutions from the PRAs' networks to gather new work experience inside and outside academia. Accompanied by an advanced training programme to broaden their transferable skills, they will be given outstanding opportunities to develop their careers further. KiTE will set new standards for and thus transform postdoc training at Kiel University, and as a best-practice example enrich the European Research Area.
Kiel University is convinced that knowledge at interfaces will shape future generations of researchers. The KiTE fellowship programme offers an excellent training programme with the highest standards of research integrity in the truly interdisciplinary environments of the PRAs to 16 experienced, internationally mobile researchers post their doctorate. Fellows will be recruited in open topic calls applying merit-based criteria, gender-fair and transparent selection procedures. Chosen according to the interdisciplinary potential of their project and their individual excellence, they will find competitive working conditions and excellent infrastructure in Kiel. The fellows will be awarded a three-year full-time employment contract with a training programme that will broaden their skills through hands-on research experience and integration within the university’s international and intersectoral networks. They will each complete two secondments of three months at partner institutions from the PRAs' networks to gather new work experience inside and outside academia. Accompanied by an advanced training programme to broaden their transferable skills, they will be given outstanding opportunities to develop their careers further. KiTE will set new standards for and thus transform postdoc training at Kiel University, and as a best-practice example enrich the European Research Area.
An innovative recruitment process based on OTM-R and HRS4R principles has been completed.
16 excellent international postdoctoral researchers in two cohorts, four KiTE fellows per Priority Research Area of Kiel University - Kiel Nano Surface and Interface Science (KiNSIS), Kiel Life Science (KLS), Kiel Marine Science (KMS) and Societal, Environmental and Cultural Change (SECC) - are brought together and are contributing to the research agenda of Kiel University and the respective Priority Research Area.
As intended, comprehensive training programme has been established to equip three target groups of the KiTE programme – recruited international postdocs, professors who are registered as their KiTE mentors and external evaluators – with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their roles.
Ongoing support initiatives are also in place to ensure that the KiTE fellows receive the guidance and resources they need to thrive in their endeavours.
16 excellent international postdoctoral researchers in two cohorts, four KiTE fellows per Priority Research Area of Kiel University - Kiel Nano Surface and Interface Science (KiNSIS), Kiel Life Science (KLS), Kiel Marine Science (KMS) and Societal, Environmental and Cultural Change (SECC) - are brought together and are contributing to the research agenda of Kiel University and the respective Priority Research Area.
As intended, comprehensive training programme has been established to equip three target groups of the KiTE programme – recruited international postdocs, professors who are registered as their KiTE mentors and external evaluators – with the necessary skills and knowledge to excel in their roles.
Ongoing support initiatives are also in place to ensure that the KiTE fellows receive the guidance and resources they need to thrive in their endeavours.
The whole recruitment procedure was based on Open, Transparent and Merit-based Recruitment (OTM-R) principles, ensuring a fair and transparent selection of candidates by an external Selection Board. The evaluation of the applications was conducted based on their qualifications and experience, eliminating any biases and using numerical scores. The HRS4R strategy is being rolled out in the KiTE programme to foster a supportive research environment, promote career development, and ensure the highest standards of research practices within Kiel University.
KiTE candidates who achieved the 70% threshold but did not qualify for the second selection step or were not among the two successful candidates per Priority Research Area have been advised to seek alternative funding opportunities and apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships with the same potential mentor from Kiel University. This recommendation aimed to motivate these candidates to continue pursuing their research goals despite not advancing in the current selection process.
OTM-R: anonymous, unbiased, based on numerical scores, HRS4R strategy roll out in KiTE
MSCA PF (non-successful candidates)
KiTE candidates who achieved the 70% threshold but did not qualify for the second selection step or were not among the two successful candidates per Priority Research Area have been advised to seek alternative funding opportunities and apply for MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships with the same potential mentor from Kiel University. This recommendation aimed to motivate these candidates to continue pursuing their research goals despite not advancing in the current selection process.
OTM-R: anonymous, unbiased, based on numerical scores, HRS4R strategy roll out in KiTE
MSCA PF (non-successful candidates)