The European Reseach Area needs to increase brain circulation and attract and train researchers to increase the R&I capacity of Europe by highly trained researchers. One challenge in particular is rendering researchers on a postdoctoral level 'fit' for a career not only in an academic setting, but also for a career in a non-academic setting, e.g. in industry. A postdoctoral fellowship at Empa with it’s five research focal areas of societal importance (nanostructured materials; sustainable built environment, health and performance, natural resources and pollution, energy) and the close co-operation of Empa with its industry partners contribute to a) an increase of Europe’s R&I capacity; b) equip researchers at a crucial stage of their career with significant networking and career advancing opportunities, and c) advances the research state of the art in fields which are in line with Horizon2020’s goals and objectives. Additionally, Empa’s internal processes and synergies with partner institutions such as the Paul-Scherrer-Institut contribute to an increase of expertise and networking in the Swiss scientific landscape.
The overall objectives of Empapostdocs-II are:
Recruitment and training of 51 fellows over 3 calls
Enhancing fellow’s scientific experience
Acquisation of life-long skills to make them ‘contributing players’ of the research community
Carrying out cutting-edge research at intersection of academia and industry