The Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering
This document describes the process for getting support from the Institute of Chemical Sciences and Engineering (ISIC) for application.
Generalities
ISIC accepts both external and internal candidates. Ambizione applicants who would like to be hosted at ISIC must first be approved by the hosting institute according to the process described below.
Ambizione applicants must be hosted by a research unit and should therefore first obtain support from the host professor.
Upon successful application, Ambizione grantees will receive the title of Scientist (collaborateur·trice scientifique). They co-supervise the PhD students involved in their project, the supervisor being the head of the hosting research unit.
Internal applicants already working at EPFL must beware that the total duration of employment (CDD) at EPFL requires special exception beyond 6 years and can in no circumstances exceed 9 years.
Description of the selection process
Host professors are responsible for the selection of the candidates they would like to support. Supporting a candidate implies that the host professor commits to provide the necessary space and infrastructure for the success of the proposed project, including secretarial support, within the present means available to their unit. ISIC will refuse any additional space allocation and/or financial support in case an Ambizione project is granted.
Important: The host professor needs to state their commitment in an endorsement letter addressed to the ISIC director and included in the pre-application file (please use the template provided below). Also, please make sure to indicate in the online pre-registration form (under ‘Equipment and Lab Office Space’) that lab & office space is provided by the host laboratory. In addition, the host professor prepares a letter of support for the SNSF file (detailed confirmation letter using the ISIC template provided below), which is signed both by the host professor and the director of ISIC.
The application toolkit can be found here. Please read all the documents carefully and follow the instructions. The ISIC procedure goes as follows:
- Candidates need to fill out the EPFL online pre-application form for Ambizione grants, upload the detailed confirmation letter signed by the host professor (in pdf format using the ISIC template provided below), a CV with publication list, the PDF generated from their mysnf application including the project description and requested funding, endorsement letter of the host professor (using the ISIC template provided below), and submit their pre-application.
Deadline: October 1st, 2023
- The Research Office, Human Resources, and (if applicable) the Equipment & Centers Management Office conduct an administrative and eligibility check.
- The Director of the Institute and the Dean of the School of Basic Sciences (FSB) evaluate the files and give their approval.
- The FSB sends to the supported candidates and the Research Office the detailed confirmation letter fully signed.
- The Research Office provides the supported candidates with the general confirmation letter.
Timeline & deadlines
ISIC deadlines are at midnight on the indicated date. Files received after the deadline will not be considered.
ISIC application deadline: October 1st, 2023
SNSF application deadline: November 1st, 2023 (17h)
Links
ISIC Template Host Endorsement Letter
ISIC Template Detailed Confirmation Letter
EPFL toolkit for Ambizione applications