The programme will operate through two routes:   

1. Open call for applications. Doctoral students and ECRs can submit a proposal, aligned with one of our priority research themes, drawing on their developing networks including those of their research group(s). The SGSSS priority themes are based on the National Outcomes, which track Scotland’s progress in the National Performance Framework.
2. Targeted opportunities  with existing partners within the SGSSS consortium. The partnership details will be finalised in autumn as we work with our existing training pathways to identify candidate partnerships for inclusion, and then prioritise the most promising opportunities for collaborative working with European partners. These are likely to include existing research infrastructure investments such as the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks.   

The programme will be designed to facilitate participation from students of all backgrounds and minimise existing barriers through the following activities: 

1. Pre-application webinar – to source potential European partners as well as examples of how the visit could be designed, and a Q&A with students who have participated in our existing OIV scheme. 
2. Flexibility in placement design – supporting short visits combined with a longer online engagement for those unable to be away for a prolonged period. 
3. Inclusive research culture – All applicants will demonstrate how their proposal nurtures inclusive research cultures and considers under-represented groups in cohort building. 
4. Professional and Career development – There will be a comprehensive system of pre, during and post visit support to: help define individual and collective benefits/outcomes, enhance readiness, maximise the value of the experience and finally reflect on the outcomes. E.g. training on project management, cross-cultural communication and establishing networks; a buddy system including virtual coffees/discussion forum; and an end of programme reflective interview. 

Eligibility is not based on nationality, but on the country of location of the PhD registration. Applicants for this open call (October 2021) must be currently registered for a PhD or employed as an ECR at an SGSSS partner HEI in a disciplinary area which broadly falls under Social Science disciplines detailed by the ESRC (Economic and Social Research Centre). Please note that for any interdisciplinary PhDs, at least 50% of the project must fall within Social Sciences disciplines. Placements must take place at an EU, EEA, or EFTA HEIs and applicants must also have met any immigration requirements to allow them to undertake the placement in the proposed country (unless the placement is completely online).

For the purposes of this programme, ECRs applicants must be within 3 years of the award of their PhD (from the point of notification of award to the point of applying). Notification of award means the date at which you received notification that your PhD would be awarded/has passed, not the date of a graduation ceremony or receipt of a certificate.

For PhD candidates, it is expected that the placement will be separate to the PhD and an interruption will be taken to ensure the placement is not detrimental to on time PhD completion.

If you are offered an award, you will be asked to confirm that you (a) have appropriate approval from your HEI to allow the placement to take place, and (b) are covered by your home HEI for insurance purposes to undertake the research placement.

If interested in this opportunity, click on the links below to explore our open competition, live now, or look out for updates on our targeted placement opportunities in the coming weeks. We’ll be promoting the call through our Weekly Digest and the SGSSS website. 

For any questions and if you would like to find out more, please contact Flaminia (SGSSS Employability and Partnership Manager) on team@sgsss.ac.uk.