CREATE project experience from preparation and implementation of the ERA Chairs grant

Transcription

1 experience from preparation and implementation of the ERA Chairs grant Patrycja Nitoń CREATE Project Support Office 21 st Nov.,

2 Who are we? 2 2

3 Who are we? Insitute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences research and development works education international cooperation 3 European research excellence centres 7 departments, ~30 research groups CHEMIPAN R&D laboratories spin-off companies 3 3

4 Who are we? The diversity of research topics from chemistry and physics to biology The culture to publish in the best journals and to apply for funding (grants) 4 4

5 The Institute s employees CREATE project Who are we? Total number: ~310 Researchers: ~210 (incl. 80 PhD students) The total numer of grants: ca

6 Our story Our story 6 6

7 Our story Preparation of grant application for the CREATE project was preceded by full analysis of the overall performance of the Institute and its employees ( ). We have also engaged in a process our major stakeholders (e.g. cooperating companies and other research units), as well as - analysed regional and national strategies. Obtained results served as a basis to define assumptions and specify actions leading us to ERA, from which we may benefit the most. We have also taken advantage of the opportunity created by our previous Regpot grant NOBLESSE i.e. consulting leading ERA scientists, invited to deliver lectures at IPC. 7 7

8 Our story grant applications patent applications and business collaboration international scientific collaboration adoption of the principles underlying the European Charter For Researchers and the Code of conduct for the recruitment of researchers improvement of recognition of IPC brand among stakeholders previous actions 8 8

9 Analysis weakness Taken actions improved our research excellency and supported creation of favourable working conditions for scientists. However due to: weak personal links with ERA i.e. the lack of recognized leading researcher and exhaustion of development capacity of analytical methods of physical chemistry, serving physical and chemical systems, lack of reputable experienced expert in the field of biology, we are still unable to establish proper links with leading European research institutions on a partnership basis and initiate new joint projects. 9 9

10 Analysis choice of subject Based on SWOT results and discussions with major stakeholders (esp. excellent scientists delivering lectures in IPC during completion of our Regpot grant), we perceive chances to eliminate above development boundaries in setting up new department focused on q-biology studies within physical sciences and applications of physical chemistry techniques in biological systems

11 The CREAtion of the Department of Physical Chemistry of Biological SysTEms [CREATE] The CREATE project The CREATE project is targeted at development at IPC of a new chair - Department of Physical Chemistry of Biological Systems led by a reputable world-class scientist (ERA Chair holder). The project predicts a number of measures to be taken by the new leader, aimed at extending research excellency of IPC into the new field (physical chemistry inspired by biology). The new research field is coherent with regional and national strategies

12 location of a new team in IPC structure synergetic research groups 12 12

13 introduce structural change better use of installed infrastructure and research capacity increase of IPC visibility and knowledge dissemination to unlock, develop and extend research potential of IPC through establishing within the Institute a new Department of Physical Chemistry of Biological Systems led by reputable scientist, specialist in biology, or linked biology and chemistry/or physics IMPACT GOAL 13 13

14 aims and objectives introduce structural change better use of installed infrastructure and research capacity Update of IPC research programme Activation of Grant & Commercialization Team Change of HR and research management Better integration of research groups Upgrade of International PhD Programme increase of IPC visibility and knowledge dissemination 14 14

15 aims and objectives introduce structural change better use of installed infrastructure and research capacity increase of IPC visibility and knowledge dissemination cooperation with ERA leading institutions on partner basis cooperation with enterprises enhancement of IPC research staff 15 15

16 aims and objectives introduce structural change better use of installed infrastructure and research capacity increase of IPC visibility and knowledge dissemination better IPR mgnt

17 structure WP3 Unlocking IPC research excellence WP2 Building potential of the new Dept. WP4 IPC contribution to ERA WP1 Recruitment of the ERA Chair holder WP7 Management & coordination WP5 Industry migration WP6 Promotion & dissemination 17 17

18 structure

19 Budget calculation lab visits 48 PMs EUR Equipment EUR Remuneration of ERA Chair holder s team, 339 PMs EUR 1,4 mln EUR + WP EUR WP EUR 19 19

20 Management structure 20 20

21 ocena formalna i merytoryczna CREATE project Recruitment of ERA Chair Holder Promotion of the ERA Chair recruitment: headhunting EuroScienceJobs high visibility conferences Candidates Open seminar IPC PAS stuff PIs from the IPC [2] ERC grant holders [3 + 1] Foreign researchers [1] Recruitment Committee 21 21

22 Candidate profile capability to compete at ERC Stg. or ERC Adv. having an MD, PhD (physics, chemistry, biology, medicine) or equivalent expertise in biology or in combined fields: biology - chemistry, or biology physics proven international research experience international reputation based on research excellence proven record in securing research funding and experience in managing and leading research group leading and mentoring skills the potential to cooperate with other research groups creative approach towards interdisciplinary researches fluent written and oral communication skills in English 22 22

23 Candidate profile Maciej Wojtkowski is worldwide-renowned scientist active in the field of biomedical imaging. His research interests include optical coherence imaging and microscopy applied to biomedical imaging. He has had significant impact on the design and development of Fourier domain Optical Coherence Tomography (FdOCT) technique, commonly used in ophthalmic and cardiologic diagnosis. The FdOCT method and instrument for in vivo retinal imaging was firstly developed by Prof. Wojtkowski and his colleagues from the Medical Physics Group at Nicolaus Copernicus University Poland in Prof. Wojtkowski has also contributed to the development and construction of three clinical prototypes of high speed and high resolution OCT instruments, which were immediately applied for diagnostics in ophthalmology clinics: in Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz (Poland), New England Eye Center, Boston (USA), and University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (USA). Professor Wojtkowski is an author of more than 160 publications, including 90 full papers in peer reviewed journals. During his academic career Maciej Wojtkowski held short internships in Vienna University and University of Kent. He also worked for two years as postdoctoral fellow in joint project of Massachusetts Institute of Technology and New England Eye Center. Professor Wojtkowski led his own research team (20 group members) of Optical Biomedical Imaging Group at Nicolaus Copernicus University, Toruń (Poland). Wojtkowski group was interested in application of optics to biology and medicine, especially dark field Optical Coherence Microscopy dfocm applied to imaging of rodent brain, measurements of corneal biomechanics or noninvasive imaging of microvasculature

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26 Summary Tips: show that your institute/organization is well-known unit in the country Identification of weaknesses measures to be taken by the ERA Chair Holder (implementation of structural changes) Recruitment open and merit based, International Recruitment Committee Description of responsibilities and obligations of ERA Chair holder, but at the same time allowing him/her the freedom and autonomy in decisionmaking 26 26

27 Thank you Patrycja Nitoń 27

28 ERA Chair holder: Professor Maciej Wojtkowski ERA Chair holder, head of Department of Physical Chemistry of Biological Systems, Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, PL ERC Advanced grant holder: Professor Wilhelm Huck Professor of Chemistry, Institute for Molecules and Materials, Radboud University Nijmegen, NL Authorities representative: Mateusz Gaczynski Deputy Director, Department of Innovation and Development, Ministry of Science and Higher Education, PL Business representatives: Rafal Bator Partner, Enterprise Investors, PL Justyna Garstecka CEO, Motherhood, PL IPC: Professor Robert Holyst Project Coordinator, head of Department of Soft Condensed Matter, Institute of Physical Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, PL 28 28