Hypatia Tenure Track Grant for external candidates

On offer

• An independent researcher position with a salary conform the collective appointment agreement of the Dutch University Medical Centers.
• Excellent prospects for tenure track (i.e. faculty position with permanent contract).
• An internationally recognized competitive research environment with ample opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and participation in
• A 4-year contract.
• Financial rewards for meeting excellent research criteria.

Candidate criteria

• A background in computational science, neuroscience, (molecule) life sciences, health sciences or public health research.
• High affinity for applied research in on of the Radboudumc research themes.
• Excellent researchers (guideline 3-8 years after PhD graduation) with a strong motivation to perform top internationally-recognized research. Extension of the 8 years is possible based on the NWO extension rule (question 25).
• A proven track record in funding and publications. Candidates should haven either:
  (i) acquired an NWO Vidi, ERC Starting/Consolidator grant or other prestigious personal funding
  or
  (ii) should be judged by the Hypatia Committee to be able to do so within the term of the Hypatia track.
• Candidates must have demonstrated their success in high impact publication as first or senior author. Preferentially, candidates have international experience.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the strong wish to work interdisciplinary.
• Good leadership skills with an ability to inspire young researchers.

Five questions for Teun Bousema Awarded the Hypatia Tenure Track Grant

When Teun Bousema first became interested in the transmission of malaria from humans to mosquitoes 16 years ago, the subject was something of a niche area. Since then it has taken centre stage thanks to renewed hopes of eradicating the disease. After breaking new ground early in his career at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, Bousema was awarded the Hypatia Tenure Track Grant and moved to Radboudumc.

Q1 How did you come to study malaria and its transmission from humans to mosquitoes?

My interest began quite coincidentally. In 2000, when I was 22, I took a gap year. I’d completed my Master’s in Biomedical Sciences and wasn’t attracted to the PhD opportunities I’d been offered. While I was in Ghana helping to establish a research centre and a clinic, I ran out of books and picked up a copy of Essential Malariology in a dusty book store in Accra. It explains how P. falciparum, the parasite that causes the deadliest form of malaria, thrives in completely diff erent forms in varying hosts. I was fascinated by the interaction between the parasite, mosquito and human.

Q2 Could you describe some of your research?

I’m interested in the right time to intervene to prevent the spread of disease. You might assume that if someone receives treatment for malaria they stop spreading infection, but in some cases people continue to infect mosquitoes for a week or longer, depending on the medication.

My early work showed that standard artemisinin-based combination therapy only has a moderate effect on malaria transmission. I went on to look at the eff ects of other drugs on transmission, and then mosquitocidal drugs that make human blood toxic to malaria mosquitoes. I’ve also been working on the possibility to target transmission hotspots, such as households that are at greater risk because of immunological factors, distance to water or human genetics, to prevent the spread of malaria more effectively.

Q3 What attracted you to Radboudumc?

The extensive lab facilities were a big attraction. We have a unique automated parasite culturing system and routinely culture more than 10,000 female mosquitoes per week. We use a number of parasite strains from across the globe to generate infected mosquitoes and use them to infect volunteers to help us understand transmission dynamics.

It was also about the research environment here. Some places like to encourage internal competition in the belief that it makes people more productive. It is one of the elements of academic life that I find very unattractive. Radboudumc actively encourages research collaborations between departments, and we’re at the forefront of eff orts to fi nd new ways to judge scientific excellence. It’s still important to publish in good journals and be visible, but there’s also a strong emphasis on having a positive impact on healthcare and society, and on interdisciplinary collaboration. Th e other big attraction was the Hypatia Track.

Q4 What does the Hypatia Tenure Track Grant offer and how has it helped your professional development?

It provides four years of salary and support for talented researchers who want to set up their own research group. It’s fantastic to have the time and flexibility to show what you are worth without having to constantly worry about applying for grants. It has allowed me to focus onmy lab– and fieldwork and to travel extensively in Africa to explore new research areas and collaborations.
At least as important as the financial side is the investment in personal development. Hypatia includes 18 months of training in skills such as leadership, negotiation and media training. We have mentors and form peer groups at the same stage of academic development — we meet for training and to share common problems.
 
While an individual’s specific research interests are important, Hypatia is more about an investment in talent. To those they select, Radboudumc is saying, “we like your work, we want you to continue to work here and we trust you to use these funds in the best way possible.” That in itself is a good feeling. Beyond that, it has helped me to think about my research with a long-term perspective. Hypatia has helped me extend my group’s network and has increased my visibility, both within Radboudumc and worldwide as a relevant malaria researcher.

Q5 What inspires you about your work?

The interplay between parasite, mosquito and human is an intriguing intellectual challenge. Having a significant impact on healthcare is the slogan of Radboudumc, but it is also something that motivates me personally. If malaria wasn’t an important public health problem I’d move to another field. I’m also attracted by the adventure of travelling and living in Africa. I was fascinated by the interaction between the parasite, mosquito and human.

Application procedure

1. CV and Proposal outline: Candidates must submit their CV, which includes past research performance and research proposal outline. Research proposals should fall within the research profile of one of the three affiliated research institutes.
   Within 4 weeks after the submission deadline, candidates will be informed if they go to stage 2.
2. Full proposal, seminar and interview: Candidates will then be requested to submit a full research propels that will be sent to external referees. Thereafter they will be invited to give a seminar and will be interviewed by group leaders.
   A decision will be made on the basis of the seminar, interviews with group leaders and peer-reviewed research proposal.

Frequently Asked Questions about the Hypatia Tenure Track grants

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• How long does an application procedure take?

  On average successful applications, from submission to final decision, take 6 months. Within 2-3 weeks after the first round submission deadline, you will be informed of the committee’s decision for a second round invitation.

• How many positions are available per year?

  Currently there are two positions per year. Quality of applications and fit with Radboudumc research strategy are paramount. The committee is not obliged to award positions in each round nor is the committee obliged to fill all two positions in any given year.

• What is meant by embedding and why is this necessary?

  For all successful Hypatia candidates, embedding within one of the Radboudumc departments is paramount. The department is your employer and will ultimately decide on whether to award you with tenure at the end of the grant period.

• How do I secure embedding?

  A Head of Department will need to support your application. You do not need this support during the first round – it is not a selection criteria – although it will help in the application process. Before inviting you to submit a second round proposal, the Hypatia committee will request support from a suitable hosting Head of Department. Before submitting your first round application, you may wish to contact one or more Heads of Departments to discuss your potential fit within the department’s research strategy and more generally within the strategic research themes of the Radboudumc. The secretary to the Hypatia committee can help steer you in the right direction.

• What is entailed in the second round selection procedure?

  Should you be invited to submit an application in the second round, then you will be asked to write a full project proposal. The project proposal will be reviewed by minimally 2 external independent reviewers. You will also be invited for an interview with various group leaders, members of the Hypatia committee and a previous Hypatia fellow awardee. You will also be requested to give a plenary lecture.

• What does the Hypatia Tenure Track grant cover?

  The Hypatia Tenure Track grant covers the awardee’s salary for 4 years, salary and bench fee of PhD candidate(s)/ Postdoc(s), materials and overheads. The total award is 1 M Euro for four years (250 k per year). Every year, there are three awards available.

• Would I have to teach and if yes, how many hours per week?

  At the start of your Hypatia track, you would probably have little teaching. Ultimately, this is dependent on the head of your department. Often teaching is paid and thus can have (financial) benefits.

• Would this be an independent PI position and who would be my line manager?

  Your line manager is either a senior research group leader in the hiring department or the head of hiring department him/herself.

• Would I have to apply for more grants or would this grant be sufficient?

  To be successful in the Netherlands, you will have to secure other grants from other funding sources. Hypatia fellow awardees should aim, for example, to obtain a NWO Vidi and/or ERC starting/consolidator grant to further proceed with their career. Additional personal grants are required, as a condition of tenure.

• Is there a mid and/or end term review?

  Hypatia track candidates will be informally assessed by the Hypatia committee after two and five years from their start-date. Candidates are requested to submit their CV to the committee. Candidates growth as an independent researcher since the start of the grant is assessed. The department will formally assess the Hypatia candidate in respect of tenure track conditions.

• What are the requirements for tenure?

  The Radboudumc stipulates that you should reach the criteria of senior principal investigator (PI). The PI criteria consist of qualitative elements regarding leadership, scientific esteem, social impact, etc. The quantitative criteria state in the last five years prior to the evaluation moment, you should have:

  a) A minimum of six peer reviewed publications:

  • With a 5-Year Impact Factor ≥8 or in one of the 5 best journals in a subject category (ranked by 5-years IF).
  • At least two of the six papers have a 5-Year Impact Factor ≥8.
  • Only publications where you are first, second, penultimate or last author qualify.
  • In a minimum of three of these six peer reviewed publications, you are first or last author.

  NOTE 1: Hypatia fellows are exempted from the regulation regarding number of PhD defenses.

  b) Personally obtained funding

  • A minimum of two personally, in competition obtained research grants (2nd or 3rd “geldstroom”) of at least € 200,000 that are, or will be, used for scientific research.

  NOTE 2: In case of multi-applicant grants, the full amount of the grant can be attributed to each of the applicant research leaders.
  NOTE 3: The Hypatia grant, although formally 1st “geldstroom’ counts as one of the two necessary personal grants.

  The full details are available on request. Please contact the secretary of the Hypatia committee.

• What level (e.g. Associate or Assistant Professor) is a Hypatia track candidate?

  This is a matter for the Head of Department and should be discussed with him/her.

• Would there be any further internal support, i.e. funding for PhD students and travel or I would have to raise such funds from grants?

  By obtaining junior or senior PI, you would have part of your salary funded from the Radboudumc. There are internal grant rounds for PhD positions and for Master’s students. There are also grant possibilities from the Radboud University for example for mobility.

• If I leave the Radboudumc during the Hypatia Track, can I take the grant with me?

  No, by leaving the Radboudumc you would forfeit the remainder of your grant.