Team leaders 2008-2009, ATIP (Actions Thématiques et Incitatives sur Programme) Programmes, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique

The "Département des Sciences du Vivant" (Life Sciences Division) of the CNRS, offers an opportunity to scientists at the end of their postdoctoral training for developing an innovative independent research project while setting up their own group within a CNRS laboratory. Successful applicants will receive a three year grant (150 k€ for equipment and consumables), the possibility of hiring a postdoctoral fellow for two years, at least 50 m2 of lab space and, whenever possible, technical assistance. At the end of the three years, the ATIP team leaders may compete for a two year extension through the "ATIP Plus" programme.

Eight programmes concern specific research areas (Biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics, Cell biology and Immunology, Developmental biology, Genetics, Microbiology, Systems biology, Neurobiology: from molecular to cognitive neurosciences, Structure-function relationships - dynamics of biomolecules and their assemblies), and one (ATIP "Blanche") is open to any project of high scientific quality related to Life Sciences. Applications from scientists presently working in a foreign country are particularly encouraged.

Applicants must be less than 40 years old, or have defended their PhD thesis within the last ten years (exception may be made for women with children). At the beginning of the ATIP contract, applicants need not hold a permanent position within a French research organisation such as CNRS, INSERM or University. In this case, the CNRS will hire the team leader, and salaries will amount ~3,500 € per month. However, he/she must apply for and obtain such a tenured position in order to be eligible for a possible two year extension ("ATIP Plus" programme). Applications for tenured positions are independent from the ATIP programme and have to be submitted in parallel. Applicants are not allowed to join a laboratory in which they have been PhD student or postdoctoral fellow for years.

Application forms and more detailed information are available either directly or through the CNRS website. Applications must be written in English and addressed before October 1, 2008 to Jean Houmard, Chargé de Mission, CNRS - Département des Sciences du Vivant, 3, rue Michel Ange - F-75794 Paris Cedex 16. Email: sdv-atipe@cnrs-dir.fr.

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