ADMISSION

Eligible interested candidates must complete the on-line Application Form by following the instructions below:

• Read the Guide for Applicants and the Application Form carefully.
• Check the list of the supervisors and the Ph.D. programme specific topics and choose your research project.
• Fill the Application Form up.
• You will receive an acknowledgement message by email.

APPLICATION PROCESS (CLOSSED)

1. Online application

To submit the application, please fill the requested data in the online application form and include the attachments. Closing date for applications is May 15th, 23:59 (CET).

APPLICATION FORM

• Candidate personal information
• Eligibility information: mobility requirements, academic requirements, English level.
• Research statement indicating the 3 selected project(s) and the motivation of their choice
• Academic credentials (mark sheets and degree statements)

Two letters of reference drafted according to Form 2, by teachers/researchers who have had a role in the applicant's education.

Candidates will have to rank the three preferred positions and, optionally, indicate which other positions you are willing to be considered for, if you are not selected for those indicated as preferred.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Full applications should include the following. Any document not originally in English must be provided together with an English translation.

• Detailed curriculum vitae (List of Publications, Participation in funded research projects, other qualifications, if any, must be included).
• Certified copy of Academic Degree's in original language along with a certified translation into English and/or Diploma Supplement (if applicable).
• Certified copies of official Academic Transcripts relating to all academic courses taken to earn every degree (bachelor/master or equivalent), translated into English, and correspondent grade point average (GPA). For candidates currently completing degrees only will be considered if they include an official certificate confirming student status and date of degree examination BEFORE JULY 2024. For students from outside the European Higher Education Area (EHEA), a document from the Home University certifying that the candidate's degree qualifies them to undertake doctoral studies at that University is required.
• Letter of research statement, describing the applicant's research experience in relation with the project/s s/he is applying for and the motivation of their choice. The letter will report a description of the applicant's master research project and a self- evaluation on scientific and soft skills (Form 1).
• Two recommendation letters drafted according to Form 2, by teachers/researchers who have had a role in the applicant's education.
• Certificate of English language proficiency (minimum level B2 CEFR or equivalent)
• Copy of passport (or, for EU citizens, equivalent ID document).

CRITERIA AND PRINCIPLES

2. Selection

1. ELIGIBILITY CHECK:
   The Coordinator Team will check eligibility criteria (Doctoral Candidate status, mobility rule, proof of English proficiency). The initial check of the eligibility criteria will have to pass formal confirmation by host institutions at the time of recruitment for each candidate.
2. ASSESSMENT:
   The Supervision Team (ST) for each position, led by the supervisor, will assess all eligible candidates according to their potential as researchers based on academic profile, personal motivation, relevant background, professional and mobility experience, scientific knowledge. Transversal skills, soft skills, creativity, level of independence and English proficiency will also be considered.
   Each ST will rank the candidates and will contact them for interviews (16-29^th May). The ST will complete an Interview Report Form and produce a ranked list of candidates that qualify for the position. A shortlist for each doctoral candidate position and ranked lists will be shared with Supervisory Board and the External Advisory Board (EAB). The Supervisory Board, which consists of one presentative from each participant, will coordinate and supervise the process, ensuring that best practices are applied. and trying to achieve a gender balance. In case of a tie, priority will be given to under-represented researchers.
3. RESULTS:
   The Supervisory Board will decide on the final ranked list of the selected candidates for all the positions, and a reserve list, considering the candidates’ preferred choices. EAB representatives will advise the Supervisory Board in their decisions.
   Selected candidates will be notified of the result and results of the selection process will be available on the AFRODITA website (3rd June). Selected candidates must inform by email to afrodita@um.es if they accept the position in the next 2 days, and they will be asked to sign a “Doctoral Candidate Agreement”, pending the eligibility check by the host institution and confirmation of their PhD enrolment. If the candidate does not accept the position in time, the next candidate on the ranked list will be informed of the result and follow the same procedure until the position is filled or the ranked list is over.
   Candidates not selected for positions will be notified by email and informed about the strengths and weaknesses of their applications, in order to help reinforce their profiles for future job applications and guarantee the transparency of the process. Applicants who believe that they have been treated negligently, unfairly or improperly should send their complaints by email (afrodita@um.es) in the next 5 days. The complaint must include the specific examples to illustrate the nature of the complaint. The Project Coordinator will inform to the Supervisory Board which will consider the matter and share it with the Ethical Advisor, and if appropriate with External Advisory Board, and reach a joint decision within a maximum of 30 days.
   In the event of a position not being filled, the reserve list candidates could be invited to take part in a second evaluation round following an equivalent procedure as in the first one. Those candidates not selected for the positions will be accordingly notified by email. If still some position remains to be filled, re-advertising of the position will be considered, and applications will be processed as they arrive.

FELLOWSHIPS DESCRIPTION

15 PhD positions are offered within the AFRODITA Doctoral Network (Gran agreement nº 101120126), European Joint Doctorate. These 3-year positions will begin in September-October 2024.

AFRODITA DN offers a highly competitive salary and attractive working conditions. The candidates will receive a salary in accordance with the MSCA rules and the national laws of the recruiting country with full social security benefits. All candidates will receive a monthly Living Allowance plus a Mobility allowance. Additional Family Allowance will be available according to the rules for MSCA-DN actions. If the recruited doctoral candidate has or acquires family obligations during the action duration, the family allowance will be paid to him/her as well.