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LEARN Postdoctoral Fellow Award

Purpose

The LEARN Postdoctoral Fellowship will enable an emerging researcher from a developing country to work on a research project mentored by a New Zealand researcher while being based at an institution in New Zealand.  The award aims to build capacity amongst scientists to facilitate their future or ongoing participation in research, development and extension activities or programmes directly related to the mitigation of ruminant livestock greenhouse gas emissions in their home country, as well as build closer relationships with New Zealand.  The Fellowship must be spent in New Zealand and last for a minimum of 12 months and a maximum of two years. The Fellow must be employed in a research post in their home country to receive the award. 

The Fellowship seeks to:

  • Attract and support emerging researchers from developing countries to work alongside researchers in New Zealand institutions.
  • Share knowledge of agricultural GHG emissions measurement, modelling and mitigation technologies and practices that assist agriculture to reduce GHG emissions and increase the efficiency of livestock agricultural production systems.
  • Advance the use of tools/techniques to increase the level of scientific skills and technological capabilities within developing countries.
  • Build enduring collaborations between New Zealand institutes and researchers and those in developing countries.

The Awards are designed to support the completion of a research project; the Awards DO NOT support conference visits. Awards are administered by the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) on behalf of the New Zealand Government.

Eligibility Requirements

The Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to emerging researchers from developing countries who are members of the LEARN network. The Fellowship will fund a researcher from a developing country for a minimum of twelve months and maximum two years to complete a research project in an area aligned with livestock GHG emissions mitigation.

To be eligible, you must:

  • Have gained a PhD in the last 5 years.
  • Be a high achieving researcher (supported by academic transcripts, letters of recommendation and publishing record).
  • At the time of application be employed in an area of research aligned with livestock GHG emissions mitigation in your home country.
  • Have the support of your employer to apply for the Fellowship.
  • Have a mentor in a New Zealand research organisation.
  • Be a registered member of the LEARN network.
  • Be resident in a developing country as defined by the Development Assistance Committee of the OECD (DAC) list of Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) recipients. The list is available online via this link.
  • Satisfy New Zealand Government requirements for international entry into New Zealand.
  • Be able to speak and understand English to a level sufficient to function in a research role.

Funding

Funding can be awarded for up to two years with an expected minimum duration of 12 months.  The Fellowship can be structured to allow flexibility depending on the circumstances of the Fellow to allow for multiple shorter stays in New Zealand; minimum duration at any one time in New Zealand is six months with a minimum of two visits to New Zealand in a two year period. Employment in a research organisation in the home country is essential and evidence of employment is required prior to any payment being made.

  • NZ$50,000 per year (pro rata) for living expenses will be provided to recipients for their time spent in New Zealand for a maximum of two years.
  • Up to NZ$5,000 will be provided for economy airfares and travel/medical insurance to be used for the visit to New Zealand.

Funds will be made available subject to evidence being provided of employment at your home organisation. Travel funds will be made available subject to a budget being completed and submitted with evidence and details of travel costs as estimated at the time of application. All funds will be administered through the New Zealand research institution collaborating in the application process.

Once an award has been granted, it will be the responsibility of the recipient to make all necessary arrangements for travel, accommodation, insurance and any other logistical requirements.

How to Apply

Download the application form and budget sheet from the LEARN or NZAGRC websites. A two stage process applies.

Stage One

An Expression of Interest (EoI) form must be completed and submitted to the NZAGRC Operations Manager - International to determine eligibility.

doc LEARN Postdoctoral fellowship Expression of... (0.27MB) 

Stage Two

Once the NZAGRC Operations Manager - International has confirmed eligibility, the candidate will be invited to submit a full application to be considered by an assessment panel.

Submission of full applications can occur anytime throughout the year however, full applications will be assessed on a quarterly basis on the following dates:

  • January 30th
  • April 30th
  • July 30th
  • October 30th

The full application process is as follows:

  1. Develop a proposal for the training programme in close collaboration with a New Zealand research organisation. Complete a budget with all supporting evidence of associated costs.
  2. Complete relevant sections of the application form in English.
  3. Sign and date the declaration.
  4. Attach any supporting documents as stipulated on the application form.
  5. Send completed application documents to the New Zealand organisation participating in this exchange; this is the organisation where you would be based while in New Zealand.
  6. Submission of the application by the New Zealand organisation with all supporting documentation to the Operations Manager (International) at the NZAGRC.
        

More Information

For more information or clarification about the LEARN Technician Award visit the following websites: