I-science for Astronomy (IsFast)

The IsFast collaboration track is an activity within the i-science research cluster. Innovative research at the interface of computer science and astronomy is in the core of this programme. Astronomy offers big challenges to computer science, which require fundamentally new methods or even abstractions. I-science is focussed on empowering of the computer science discipline in the Netherlands and creation of synergy between involved research groups. This programme cultivates the research in the field of e-science aiming to bring up e-science in the Netherlands to a prominent position.

Who can apply

The candidates who have submitted pre-proposals were assessed by the assessment committee and eight of them are selected and invited to submit full proposals.

Within the context of the collaboration track, IsFast strongly stimulates the use of available expertise of two scientific fields, computer science and astronomy. A combination of competencies can bring advantages to the given (pre-)proposal during the assessment process.

What can be applied for

The applicants can apply for a personal PhD of postdoc research grant. The postdoc appointment is for two years. The primary conditions of NWO research grants are set out by the Collective Labour Agreement for Research Centres 2008-2010.

The project grant further includes one personal bench-fee of 5000 euros for the future PhD student or postdoc, as a supplement that can be used to cover costs such as travel expenses, participation at (inter)national conferences and, if applicable, printing of the doctoral thesis.

For purchasing of a laptop or a PC an extra material budget of 2000 euros is available. In case that another type of computer equipment is necessary for the research, it can be applied for, within the same budget.

When can be applied

Deadline for submitting full proposals was 24 November 2008 12:00 hrs (noon). 

Extra Information

The IsFast collaboration track assumes the following activities:

• Step 1: “I-science for astronomy” workshop on data mining, distributed computing and visualization, hosted by the Lorentz Center;
• Step 2: preparing and submitting a preliminary research proposal (pre-proposal) for a personal research grant, supported by a team of senior researchers;
• Step 3: if invited, after qualifying through the pre-selection process, attending “Write it right” workshop (organized by NWO);
• Step 4: if invited, after qualifying through the pre-selection process, submitting a full proposal for a personal research grant. It is required that participation in the IsFast collaboration track starts with attending the “I-science for astronomy” workshop (step 1). Only participants of this workshop are invited to submit pre-proposals for personal research grants, by means of this call. Pre-proposals must be supported by teams of the senior researchers (step 2). A committee will judge the quality of the pre-proposals after the workshop. The most promising pre-proposals will be selected. The selected candidates will be offered the opportunity to take part in the workshop “Write it right” (step 3) and to submit full proposals (step 4).

Criteria

The following criteria are used to assess the detailed research proposal:

• potential to make a significant contribution to the advancement of computer science in astronomical research
• feasibility in the light of:
• available research time
• availability and adequacy of the research infrastructure
• merit of the research unit
• available staff and financial resources
• originality of the topic
• innovative elements
• Confirmation of the embedding.

Procedure

Assessment of full proposals
Interview
Applicants will be invited for an interview, which gives an impression of the candidate and the research proposal. The interview round will be carried out by the assessment committee. The committee ranks the research proposals, and produces a written report. There will be no external reviewers involved in this process.

Final assessment by the Board of the NWO Physical Sciences Division
The Physical Sciences Board will decide on the allocation of grants, on the basis of the assessment committee’s recommendations. The Board is authorised to reduce the available budget, on the advice of the assessment committee or otherwise, depending on the quality of the proposals received.

Follow-up action
If a grant is awarded, the university/institute will offer the candidate a PhD or a postdoc appointment as soon as possible (in any event by 1 June 2009). Any project that does not commence by this deadline will forfeit its grant. Arrangements will be agreed on for the submission of progress and final reports for funding.

Committees

The assessment committee has been assigned to assess the pre-proposals and the full proposals. The names of the assessment committee members are available on the i-science website.

Budget

The IsFast collaboration track has at its disposal a budget of approximately 500,000 euros with which three personal PhD or postdoc grants can be awarded.

Contacts

• Mw. dr. N. (Natasa) Golo
  phone: 070 - 344 09 15, e-mail: n.golo@nwo.nl