IMDEA Fundation ("Instituto Madrileño de Estudios Avanzados" - Madrid Institute for Advanced Studies) is the new institutional framework established by the Government of the Region of Madrid (Spain) to effectively combine and increase both public and private support for research of excellence in the region. IMDEA comprises a network of research institutes in areas of high economic impact, including: energy, food sciences, materials, social sciences, nanotechnology, networks, software, and water.
AMAROUT-II is a Marie Curie Action (PEOPLE-COFUND); a fellowship programme designed to support transnational mobility of experienced researchers, providing opportunities to deepen ad widen their skills and to offer attractive working conditions. Specificaly, over 4 years, AMAROUT-II will offer 152 fellowships to experienced researchers to develop their individual research projects within the IMDEA network. AMAROUT-II is a continuation of AMAROUT, a highly successful COFUND programme now closed for applications. AMAROUT-II contributes with IMDEA to turning Madrid into one of the top knowledge generation regions in Europe. To accomplish this, from 2012 to 2016, the program will finance up to 152 researchers to join the IMDEA network of research institutes for one year (renewable twice, on a yearly basis, to up to a total of three years fellowship duration maximum). A permanent call for applications will be open since 1st of October 2012 until 30th September 2015. Applications will be evaluated by batches, according to quarterly cut-off dates the first of which takes place on 31st December 2012.
Both "experienced" and "very experienced" researchers from any country (worldwide) can apply for AMAROUT-II fellowships at any of the seven IMDEA Institutes participating in the programme (Software, Energy, Food, Materials, Nanoscience, Networks and Water).
The gross annual salary received by AMAROUT fellows is internationally competitive in their respective areas.
The final conditions of the fellowship depends upon the experience of the fellow and on the particular IMDEA hosting Institute.
AMAROUT fellows will enjoy the rights and benefits provided by the Spanish Social Security System, including: full health-care coverage, state pension, unemployment compensation, and maternity/paternity leave.
The AMAROUT Selection Committee consists of eight Evaluation Panels, one for each of the participating IMDEA Institutes. Each Evaluation Panel is formed by the Director of the Institute, three members of its Scientific Advisory Board, and two external, independent peer reviewers.
Each of the participating IMDEA Institutes has signed a Declaration of Commitment to the "European Charter for Researchers" and the "European Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers". Therefore, the Selection Committee will abide to the principles of openness, efficiency, transparency, supportiveness, and international comparability stated in these documents.
The main AMAROUT selection criteria is the candidate's demonstrated ability and commitment to research, as well as the match of experience and interests with the research theme and lines of the IMDEA Institute chosen by the candidate. Each candidate's merits shall be judged quantitatively as well as qualitatively. More specifically, the following criteria are considered:
Candidates will not be discriminated on the basis of gender, age, ethnic, national or social origin, religion or belief, sexual orientation, language, disability, political opinion and social or economic condition.
Applications to the AMAROUT programme are evaluated in batches according to quarterly cut-off dates. The selection process and its timing are as follows:
