The "ERA Chairs" are intended to help develop research excellence in low performing research and innovation Member States and regions*. Universities or other eligible research institutions with currently low levels of participation in the Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, which have a demonstrated potential and concrete plan for research excellence, will be selected by the Commission to appoint outstanding research leaders: the "ERA Chairs holder" and his/her research team. This will be done by the successful research organisations through an open recruitment process and the publication of the job vacancy on the EURAXESS Jobs web-site. The "ERA Chairs" will permit these institutions to develop, in a particular field, the level of excellence required to successfully compete internationally and effectively widen participation. The deadline to submit proposals: 30 May 2013 (17.00 Brussels time).
For more information please visit http://ec.europa.eu/research/era/era-chairs_en.html
*To see the list of eligible countries and regions click here.

Having just registered successfully as an EURAXESS Local Contact Point a few months ago, I was delighted and very grateful to have been selected to attend the 6th Annual EURAXESS Conference, held over three busy days in April 2013 at Dubrovnik in Croatia, as part of the UK delegation.

Coming in the last few weeks before Croatia becomes the 28th Member State, the Conference, attended by about 200 delegates, kicked-off with an impressive opening ceremony, which involved an orchestra, costumed dancers, gymnasts, jugglers, and a high level representation from the Croatian Government being officially welcomed into the ‘fold’ by Commission and EURAXESS representatives.

The Conference’s excellent workshops were organised in parallel under the strapline of ‘We Communicate’, and explored various themes, such as Industry Relations, separately, with a plenary session occupying the last conference session allowing the sharing of ideas.

Being new to the EURAXESS network, I found the conference’s packed itinerary invaluable in terms of contextualising the initiative’s structure, how it furthers the aims of the ERA, and last but not least, in terms of making links with other more experienced individuals. I was left enthused about the possibilities that EURAXESS presents, and in no doubt that EURAXESS staff were especially eager to provide support and advice to me as a new link in the network, and through me, help make Aberystwyth University and Europe a more attractive place for internationally mobile and talented researchers.