AIMS-Canada Research Chairs in Climate Change Science 2019 for Female African Scientists

 The African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) invites applications for three AIMS-Canada Research Chairs in Climate Change Science to be based at AIMS Rwanda. 

Application Deadline: 25^th November 2018, 23:59 CAT

Eligible Countries: African countries and non-African countries

To Be Taken At (Country): Rwanda

About the Award: Each Chair will be provided up to USD 970,000 over a four-year period and tasked with executing a world-class research program able to contribute significantly towards building both the human capital and the scientific knowledgebase required to solve important climate change-related problems in Africa and beyond.

AIMS invites applications from outstanding female African and non-African scientists whose research seeks to elucidate the scale and causes of climate change; predict climatic conditions, especially at small temporal and spatial scales; and develop and apply novel strategies for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Preference will be given to applicants whose proposed research addresses issues relating to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including, but not limited to, the following:

Type: Research

Eligibility: The applicant should:

• be a female;
• hold a doctorate degree in a quantitative discipline including, but not limited to, applied mathematics, climatology, physics, chemistry, computer science, statistical ecology, or engineering;
• demonstrate significant evidence of excellent, self-initiated and self-directed research in climate change science;
• have at least two (2) years of postdoctoral experience;
• have experience supervising Master’s and/or PhD students; and
• be able to take up the chair within the first half of 2019 or before the end of 2019.

Selection Criteria: All reviews done by Committee members and other reviewers shall be based on the following criteria among others:

• Quality of applicant: academic qualifications; quality of publications; experience in climate change-related research; real-world impact and recognition (e.g. through awards) of prior work.
• Quality of proposed research: relevance to climate change modelling, practice and policy; strength of connection to the mathematical sciences; experience of applicant in research topic; quality of research design; feasibility; suitability of proposed research environment(s); quality and realism of budget projections.
• Potential impact of proposed research on scientific knowledge, practice and policy.

Number of Awards: 3

Value of Award: The total amount of direct financial support available to each Chair is approximately USD 970 000 over a four year period. This amount will cover:

• relocation of the Chair and up to two family members to Rwanda (bulk pack of USD 6,745);
• the Chair’s salary;
• fellowships for up to five postdoctoral fellows;
• bursaries for a maximum of six Master’s and four PhD students;
• attendance at national, regional and international conferences;
• hosting of conferences, workshops or summer schools at AIMS Rwanda;
• hosting of collaborators at AIMS Rwanda; and
• public dissemination of research results.

Members of the Chair’s research group may be eligible to apply to AIMS for additional funding in the form of small research grants, mobility grants, and highly prestigious research fellowships for women in climate change science.

Duration of Programme: The Chair is tenable for a period of four years commencing on the agreed start date, which shall be specified in the Chair’s contract with AIMS.

How to Apply: Please complete and submit by the 25^th November 2018, 23:59 CAT, the online application form to which the following documents should be attached:

• a completed research proposal form (see link in Program Webpage),
• a curriculum vitae,
• a letter of motivation,
• an electronic copy of three representative publications in climate change science where the applicant is the lead and/or senior author.

Three referees should email confidential letters of support directly to ms4cr-chairs@nexteinstein.org with the subject line “MS4CR chair application support letter – first and last name of candidate” on or before the application deadline. You should share with your referees a copy of the ‘Terms of Reference for Chairs’ and the ‘Instructions for Referees’  document. These can be downloaded on the website .

Only complete applications received by the application deadline will be considered. Short-listed applicants will be interviewed by an International Selection Committee.

Before applying, candidates are strongly advised to read carefully and ensure they can abide by the following terms:

Terms of Reference for Chairs (See link in Program Webpage)

Questions about this position should be sent to ms4cr-chairs@nexteinstein.org

Visit Programme Webpage for Details