European doctoral program in Energy and Environment

Agenda:

Opening of the call: 25/01/2021 at 09.00 am (GMT +01:00)

Closure of the call: 31/03/2021 at 12.00 pm (GMT +01:00)

Applications submitted on: https://aap-e2s.univ-pau.fr/siaap/pub/appel/view/162 

Context:

Energy and the Environment are two subjects linked to the main societal challenges described in the strategic European research project Horizon H2020, namely societal challenges N°3 “Safe, clean and efficient energy” and N°5 “Action for the climate, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials”.

In this context, the European doctoral program in Energy and Environment EDENE is an ambitious multidisciplinary, intersectoral and international project over a period of 5 years offering quality training to a total of 30 international and highly-qualified doctoral students in these fields. Its ambition is to create a working dynamic around innovative subjects on these topics in all disciplines covered by the University of Pau et des Pays de l'Adour (UPPA). Having obtained in 2017 the competitive I-Site Label (Science / Innovation / Territories / Economy Initiative by the French Program ‘Investissements d'Avenir’) for its project Energy & Environment Solutions (E2S), the UPPA's priorities are to attract new talents, to develop international collaborations with targeted universities and to develop the international training offer, mainly in the fields of energy and the environment. This collaborative project also aims to strengthen links with local socio-economic players and cross-border university players, namely the University of Zaragoza, Total, Enedis, Terega, Bertin, the Avenia competitive cluster and the SATT Aquitaine Sciences Transfert.

Aim:

Through this First Call for Projects, CALL#1, EDENE will allow 10 excellent researchers to develop their talent beyond the Master, via a project of their choice, while being integrated in the best teams of UPPA and possible partners. Motivated candidates are asked to define their own research project in cooperation with their host unit at UPPA, so they can develop a successful cooperation in term of research, excellence and career development.

We seek outstanding candidates with a clear passion for research and who are excited by the opportunity to provide future solutions for energy and the environment. These highly-motivated candidates will be able to undertake a PhD project in all areas of energy and the environment, connected to the research priorities of the University’s host laboratories. Fellows will benefit from both UPPA academic supervision and external co-supervision if a partner is chosen.

An indicative and non-exhaustive list of innovative themes to be tackled by applicants is appended at the end of this call.

Procedure:

Fellowships are open to highly-qualified graduates from all fields of energy and the environment. We want to attract candidates who stand out for their scientific excellence and to whom we will offer scientific challenges that meet their expectations.

Number of PhD Fellowships: Ten doctoral fellowships are available [monthly net salary before taxes = 1555 €, with other diverse allowances for mobility, conferences...]

Employer : Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour (UPPA)

Start : September 2021 - Duration : 36 months

Eligibility:

• Citizens of all nationalities are eligible to apply, however, applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity in France for more than 12 months in the 3 years preceding the PhD start date (09/2021)
• Entrance requirements: candidates must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent degree) with outstanding records
• English language requirements: non-native speakers of English are required to provide proof of linguistic  proficiency
• Required competencies: Applicants are expected to show outstanding commitment connected to the research priorities of the laboratories.

Three steps for the selection:

• 1st step: Candidates have to contact the Research Laboratories from the UPPA in their field of interest, in order to find a supervisor and prepare their Research project ‐ https://recherche.univ-pau.fr/en/governance/research-laboratories.html

• 2nd step: by March 31st, 2021, applicants must submit their Research project, previously reviewed with the host laboratory, on the E2S UPPA online platform
• 3rd step: candidates will be selected on the basis of the quality of their curriculum and the relevance of their project proposal. The selection of the best candidates will be carried out by committees involved in the different stages of the process
• Interview – the best-ranked proposals will be short-listed (up to 40) for interviews; the candidate will be invited to defend her/his project in front of the selection committee

Selection criteria:

• The candidate's marks and rankings during the selection process
• The candidate’s motivation, scientific maturity, and curiosity
• The adequacy between the research project and his/her skills
• Ability to work independently and to take responsibility for the progress and the quality of the project

Schedule:

Candidates must send their application, written in English and including the documents listed below before March 31^st, 2021 (midnight, Paris time), via the submission website: https://aap-e2s.univ-pau.fr/siaap/pub/appel/view/162

CAUTION! Applications received through any other means will not be reviewed!

Required application documents :

• A full CV (Template provided) that includes all personal information, education background, research activities (if any) and information about two referees
• Two Reference letters (in a single PDF file)
• The Research Project description (max 4 pages – Template provided)
• The Supervisor’s commitment letter (Template provided). It is the applicant’s responsibility to contact the Supervisor where he/she wishes to carry out his/her research project and to obtain the requisite commitment letter of acceptance signed by the Supervisor.
• A personal statement (1-3 pages – no template – free writing) wherein the applicant introduces him/herself and presents his/her qualifications and achievements, and emphasizes his/her future goals and research focus.
• An ethical declaration (Template provided) to identify ethical matters relating to the research proposal
• Copy of the Master degree diploma or equivalent (ex: Engineer degree); for candidates with a Master’s degree in progress during the 2020-2021 academic year, please join marks and rankings corresponding to the first semester of the M2. These documents should provide comprehensive information regarding the degree obtained (or to be obtained) and must be translated if the document is not written in English
• Copy of a certificate or test of English language proficiency (for non-native speakers, a minimum B2 level in English is required)
• A request for extension (Template provided), if applicable, with supporting documentation

CONTACT: For general questions about the application assistance, please contact: edene@univ-pau.fr

Note that detailed information is available on the EDENE Website https://www.univ-pau.fr/edene

including the detailed Application Procedure, thorougly described in the Guide for Applicants

Innovative concepts and themes to be considered in the fields of Energy and the Environment (indicative and non-exhaustive list):

FIELDS OF GEOSCIENCE, PHYSICO-CHEMISTRY, BIOLOGY ...:

Characterization and production of geo-resource exploration, an innovative industrial process for research and management of the subsoil

Development of sustainable energies and processes, storage and management of energy for the energy transition

Innovative industrial processes and methods for the management of the production, transport and use of energy, as well as for risk management

Physical and chemical characterization and modeling of natural and man-made materials and material damage, mixing of complex fluids, high power systems, coupled porous and fluid environments

Physical and chemical analytical platforms for the quantitative chemical, elemental and isotopic characterization of natural, artificial and biological environments

Chemical synthesis and characterization of new materials, polymers and composites thereof; analysis of chemical and biological processes related to pollution

Quantification of natural geological processes and geological characterization of surface and underground, monitoring and inspection, laboratory analysis of natural geological objects

Aquatic environment: biology and dynamics of populations of living organisms, ecological and physical response to environmental disturbances, including climate change

Analysis and modeling of the natural population of aquatic organisms, population biology, understanding of metabolism and nutritional strategies in aquaculture

Reduction of impact and pollution, management of waste and pollutants, analysis and remediation of environmental impact, biological response to environmental and chemical stresses

Analytical science for food traceability

FIELDS OF COMPUTING, MATHEMATICS ...

Management and use of data and big data, smart web and green IT applied to energy transition, risk assessment and management, improvement of industrial processes

Mathematical modeling and advanced simulation of problems related to environmental and energy issues

Digital, IT and data / software management and development skills

Statistical analysis and probabilistic methods applied to data management and analysis, analysis of stochastic and deterministic partial equations, differential geometry and optimization of numerical simulation

FIELDS OF HUMAN SCIENCES ...

Smart and green buildings and cities, new societal organization and approaches to reduce current negative environmental impacts

Energy law / environmental law, in particular from the perspective of comparative law, international law and European law

Analysis of trade and economic transitions, international economy, development, regulations and public policies

Spatial reconfigurations and global changes linked to energy and environmental transitions

Energy law / environmental law, in particular from the perspective of comparative law, international law and European law

Energy transition and societal acceptance, energy laws and regulations, societal impact and associated societal development, new technologies for reducing the societal energy footprint

Economic transitions and economic policy issues due to energy issues and environmental changes applied to energy transition, risk evaluation and management, industrial processes improvement

About the UPPA

The UPPA * is a leading research and teaching University located in the beautiful region of the Atlantic Pyrenees, in the southwest of France. Engaged in the fields of energy and the environment for several years, the university participates in the development of new technologies and in a global and multidisciplinary approach essential to understanding, anticipating and supporting energy transformation processes.

In the current context of climate emergency and energy transition, the UPPA is focusing its research efforts on deepening knowledge in many areas in order to provide the best solutions. For example, research on ecosystem functioning, resource management and the use of low-carbon energy sources are all priority areas of study. To this end, research at UPPA on these themes is carried out in the disciplines of Science and Technology (mathematics, geosciences, ecology, oceanography, engineering, biology, physics, chemistry, mechanics, etc.) as well as in Social and Human Sciences (social sciences, economics, law, geography…). The theme of energy and environmental transition is therefore a source of innovation for the University and it enjoys high visibility and real interdisciplinarity through its research laboratories and the E2S UPPA project.

Integrating the EDENE doctoral program within the UPPA thus means becoming an actor of this change by being a creative force on innovative research topics. It is a unique opportunity to develop interdisciplinary and to carry out applied research on the impacts of climate change and on new methods of reducing the massive use of fossil fuels with the aim of increasing the use of low-carbon energy sources for an efficient energy transition and thus contribute to the implementation of a more sustainable environment.

*UPPA Université de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour

http://www.univ-pau.fr/en/home.html