European University Institute - Max Weber Programme for Postdoctoral Studies

Deadline: As soon as possible

Program Starts: September 01, 2024

Scholarships

PostDOC Fellowship & Research

Location(s)

  • Italy
Badia Fiesolana - Via dei Roccettini 9, I-50014 San Domenico di Fiesole (FI)

Overview

The Max Weber Programme (MWP) at the European University Institute (EUI) is a unique postdoctoral programme in the historical and social sciences in Europe. It is open to applicants who are within 5 years from the completion of their PhD, from anywhere in the world, regardless of nationality.

Details

The Programme is highly selective, with an annual acceptance rate of <5% for a total of 55-60 Fellowships in the fields of political and social sciences, economics, law, and history. Preference is given to applicants who have only just completed their doctorate and have not had a postdoctoral fellowship before. Selected Fellows will benefit from the stimulating combination of a global programme located in the heart of Europe offering a broad menu of multidisciplinary and disciplinary activities.

The Programme awards 1 and 2 year long fellowships according to departments. In extraordinary cases only can a fellowship be extended to a third year.

The grant provided by the Fellowship is currently 2,070 EUR per month plus - when appropriate - a family allowance. Fellows in the Department of Economics and Political and Social Sciences who stay on for a second year will have the possibility of applying for a Part-time assistant professor contract (level ASSPR6/3) for 12 months involving some teaching duties and mentoring Ph.D. researchers: net remuneration would be approximately 850 EUR in addition to the monthly grant. The MWP operates a parental leave policy.

In addition to the scholarships funded by the Max Weber Programme itself, there are additional grants available that are funded by governments/foundations in Finland, Greece, Poland, Slovenia, Spain and Japan to which nationals of these countries (and in some cases residents in these countries) may also apply. Suitable applicants of any nationality may also apply for a second year at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva (IHEID).

NB the availability of special grants varies from year to year – in some years more countries and agencies may offer grants and in others fewer. Up to date details can be found under the Information for Applicants tab. We automatically consider eligible applicants for these opportunities.

The Max Weber Fellows enjoy the superb research facilities of the European University Institute (including an outstanding library, a shared office space, and a personal research fund of 1000 EUR - 2000 EUR for second or third year Economics Fellows who are on the job market). The MWP is unique among postdoctoral programmes in helping Fellows to become full members of a global academic community.

Fellows are given training and support in all aspects of an academic career – from publishing and presenting, teaching, applying for research grants and jobs. A particular focus is placed on communicating effectively in English to different kinds of academic audiences.

Its placement record is second to none: most Max Weber Fellows secure an academic position in the finest institutions around the world upon completion of the Programme.

Opportunity is About


Eligibility

Candidates should be from:


Description of Ideal Candidate

Who Can Apply?

  • The Programme is open to applicants who are within 5 years of the completion of their Ph.D. from anywhere in the world, regardless of nationality, and is not restricted to citizens of the EU. All things being equal, preference is given to those who have recently completed a doctorate, not had a postdoctoral position before and/or are on the job market. The language of the programme is English and applicants must fulfil the English language requirements as outlined in the section on Eligibility.

  • Applicants for Max Weber Fellowships who are nationals and/or residents (please check details on eligibility) of Finland, Poland, Greece, Slovenia or Japan may be considered for the grant schemes (see the last tab of this section) that are run by funding bodies in these countries.

For How Long?

The vast majority of Max Weber Fellowships are for one year.

  • The Department of Law (LAW) only offer 1 year Fellowships.
  • The Department of Political and Social Sciences (SPS), the Department of History and Civilization (HEC) and the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS) offer both 1 year and 2 year Fellowships. Fellows in the Department of SPS who stay on for a second year will have the possibility of applying for a Part-time assistant professor contract (level ASSPR6/3) for 12 months involving some teaching duties and mentoring Ph.D. researchers: net remuneration would be approximately 820 EUR in addition to the monthly grant.
  • Most applicants to the Department of Economics (ECO) are selected for a 2-year fellowship. Fellows in the Department of ECO who stay on for a second year will have the possibility of applying for a Part-time assistant professor contract (level ASSPR6/3) for 12 months involving some teaching duties and mentoring Ph.D. researchers: net remuneration would be approximately 820 EUR in addition to the monthly grant.

Candidates for SPS, HEC, ECO and RSCAS are asked to indicate the desired length of their Fellowship (1, 2 or, in the case of ECO only, 3 years) when applying. Candidates for LAW can only stipulate 1 year. All Fellowships run from September to August. The EUI reserves the right to determine the length of the award, be it 12, 24 or 36 months. The period offered will be indicated in the award letter.

Eligibility

  • Candidates must have received their Ph.D within the past 5 years or have official approval to defend their thesis by the time of the start of the programme (1 September). Therefore, to apply for 2023-24 they should have received or submitted their Ph.D. between 1/9/2018 and 1/9/2023 and the Ph.D. defence should take place no later than 31/12/2023.

  • Extensions to the five-year rule are allowed for applicants whose academic career has been interrupted for maternity or paternity leave, illness or mandatory military service. Cite circumstances in the application form in the field 'Additional Notes'. Successful candidates will be asked to provide supporting documents.
  • EUI graduates can only apply for a Max Weber Fellowship after having been away from the EUI and in a full-time occupation or another fellowship for at least a year after defending their Ph.D.
  • Candidates of any nationality are eligible for the Max Weber Fellowships.
  • The expected level of English proficiency is level C1 of the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). An English certificate is not requested as part of the application, but successful candidates will be requested to provide a certificate/supporting document on registration. This can be one of the international certificates listed below, or a document showing that the candidate has written the doctorate, or published an article or a book chapter of at least 6,000 words, in English, or has pursued post-graduate studies in an English language degree programme. Native English speakers are exempt of proof.

Dates

Deadline: As soon as possible

Program starts:

September 01, 2024

Program Starts: September 01, 2024


Cost/funding for participants

Conditions of award

Duration

Fellowships are awarded for:

  • 12 months for all applicants to the Department of Law (LAW)
  • 12 or 24 months for applicants to the Department of History and Civilization (HEC) and Department of Political and Social Sciences (SPS) or the Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies (RSCAS).
  • Standardly 24 months or exceptionally 36 months for ECO applicants.

Candidates in relevant disciplines must indicate the preferred period in their application (12, 24 or 36 months). The EUI reserves the right to determine the length of the award, be it 12, 24 or 36 months. The period offered will be indicated in the award letter.
All Fellowships run from September to August.

In the case a fellow arrives after the beginning of September or leaves before the fellowship ends (i.e. before 20 July), the grant will be accordingly reduced/terminated, and no grant will be paid for the month of August.

Residence

  • Fellows are required to live in the area of Florence for the duration of their Fellowship so that they may play an active part in the programme and in the academic activities of their department.

Grant

  • The basic grant is currently 2,070 EUR per month.

  • Fellows in the Departments of Economics (ECO) and Political and Social Sciences (SPS) who stay on for a second year may have the possibility of applying for a Part-time assistant professor contract (level ASSPR6/3) for 12 months involving some teaching duties and mentoring Ph.D. researchers, subject to the teaching needs of the department. This appointment and the work involved need to be agreed with the Department and the Director of the Max Weber Programme and approved by the EUI Executive Committee. The gross remuneration is currently approximately 1,000 EUR per month, which would be approximately 850 EUR after deductions. This would be in addition to the basic grant of 2,070 EUR per month.

  • Successful applicants who receive other grants or salaries must disclose this to the EUI. The amount of the Fellowship will be fixed at a lower rate (minimum 1,250 EUR per month) depending on the amount of the additional income (upon production of relevant supporting documents).

  • If applicable, family allowances will be added to the basic grant (see below).

Family Allowance

  • A household allowance of up to 310 EUR per month is paid to Fellows with a partner if the partner lives with them in Florence and on condition that the partner's income is less than 2,000 EUR per month. The sum of income and allowance can not exceed 2,000 EUR per month (i.e. if the income is more than 1,700 EUR, the allowance will be paid only to top up to 2,000 EUR).

  • There is a dependants allowance of 210 EUR per month for each dependent child if they live with the Fellow in Florence.

  • Fellows are entitled to these allowances if they are not receiving any similar allowance from another source, and on presentation of relevant documents (marriage certificate or a document that proves that you are living together in Florence, birth certificates).

  • A school or university certificate is required for dependent children in full-time education and over the age of 18.

  • The MWP operates a parental leave policy whereby Fellows who have a child during their Fellowship are eligible to up to four months paid parental leave, with their Fellowship being extended accordingly. Fellows who will have a child between notification of the award of the Fellowship and its commencement the following September may request to defer the Fellowship for a year.

Taxation

  • The Fellowship is not taxed by the Institute. Fellows are, however, required to comply with any other tax provisions which may be applicable to them.

Medical Insurance

  • Fellows must have adequate medical insurance cover during their stay at the Institute.
  • Fellows can either provide proof of their own insurance scheme or subscribe to the EUI's Cigna Insurance Scheme at their own expense.

Research Expenses

  • All Fellows receive 1,000 EUR a year for eligible research expenses, such as attendance at conferences. Fellows on the job market can additionally apply for up to 1,000 EUR to cover expenses related to relevant conference participation or job interviews, if not covered by other sources.

Travel Expenses

  • Fellows (but not their families) receive reimbursement for the incoming trip from their place of origin to Florence, and for the outgoing trip to their destination at the end of their fellowship.
  • First-class rail (travel by car is also reimbursed on this basis)
  • Economy class air fare
  • The maximum amount for travel reimbursement is 1,200 EUR including both incoming and outgoing trip. Reimbursement of higher amounts and any extra costs can be authorized by the Programme Director upon a justified special request. Taxi expenses are not reimbursed.

Removal/installation Expenses

  • There is no provision for removal or installation expenses.
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