Hypatia Fellowship Grant for external candidates

On offer

With the Hypatia Tenure Track Grant, Radboudumc can offer you the following: 

• 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 (or 5) -year contract.
• 1M euros
• Automatic enrollment in Hypatia learning group and possibilities for the enrolment in program for personal and professional leadership development.
• Automatic grand support by Grant Support Office.

Candidate criteria

We are looking for creative and talented (clinical) researchers who have:

• A background in computational science, neuroscience, (molecule) life sciences, health sciences or public health research fitting the strategic areas of the Radboudumc.
• High affinity for applied research in 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).
• Candidates should (i) have a proven track record in acquiring a significant (personal) grant or other prestigious funding and (ii) should be judged by the Talent Track Committee to be able to do so within the term of the Hypatia track to create a viable research group.
• Candidates must have demonstrated their success and having a strategy in creating impact: scientific (via publication as first or senior author), societal or economic.
• 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.
• Candidates have potential to become a Radboudumc research group leader within the period of her/his.
• The full overview of the Radboudumc Talent track criteria, which are leading during the evaluation procedure can be found here, Hypatia level is highlighted.

Application procedure

Every year, there are three Hypathia Fellowships available. The procedure consists of two stages:

1. Nomination & application: Candidates must submit the nomination (by the hosting department) and application (including CV and Proposal outline) using the provided forms (Form A- nomination & Form B- application, which includes past research performance and research proposal outline). Research proposals should fall within the strategic research areas of Radboudumc. 
   • Within 4-6 weeks after the submission deadline, candidates will be informed if they proceed to stage 2. The follow up Form C (including the Personal preview & development plan (PPDP)) will be provided at this stage.
2. Form C (PPDP), full research proposal, seminar and interview: Candidates will then be requested to submit a full research proposal along with Form C. Thereafter they will be invited to give a seminar and will be interviewed by Talent track Committee. The final decision is expected approximately 4 weeks after the  interview.
   • 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 Fellowship 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 4-6 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 three 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 three 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 therefore the support by means of nomination (Form A) is crucial.

• How do I secure embedding?

  Should you be invited to submit an application in the second round, then you will be asked to write a full project proposal and Personal Preview and Development Plan (Form C); both will be provided with invitation. You will also be invited for an interview with members of the Talent Track Committee and be requested to give a plenary lecture.

• 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 (or 5; depending on your preferences) years, salary and bench fee of PhD candidate(s)/ Postdoc(s), materials, overheads and Hypatia development track costs. The total award is 1M euro for four years (maximum 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 group leader 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. The Hypatia track  allows to develop towards the independent research group leader.

• 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 or bigger consortia grants 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 assessed by the Talent Track committee after 2 and  4,5 years from their start-date. Candidates growth as an independent researcher since the start of the grant is assessed. 

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

  The typical Hypatia fellow starts at the level of Assistent professor and will develop towards Associate professor within the period of the Hypatia track.

• 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?

  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. As a Hypatia fellow you will receive the support  from Grant support office to secure external grants for  your group.

• 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.