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Grenoble University to appoint ESRF scientists as professors

22-10-2008

Grenoble, 22 October 2008: Université Joseph Fourier (UJF) of Grenoble has agreed to appoint a number of leading scientists from the two European institutes ESRF and ILL as Associate Professors. An agreement was signed today by Prof. Farid Ouabdesselam, President of UJF, Prof. William G. Stirling, Director General of ESRF and Prof. Richard Wagner, Director of ILL.

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Scientists from UJF have always been major users of the X-ray and neutron beams at the ESRF and the ILL. This has led to cooperative projects like the Partnership for Structural Biology (PSB) established in 2002 on the joint European research site, which in turn is now followed by an increased presence of the ESRF and the ILL on the university campus. Thanks to the agreement, outstanding scientists from the ESRF and the ILL will soon enjoy a work environment typical for Professors at a research university of international dimension.

From left to right, Prof. William G. Stirling, Prof. Farid Ouabdesselam, Prof. Richard Wagner celebrating the agreement

From left to right, Prof. William G. Stirling, Prof. Farid Ouabdesselam, Prof. Richard Wagner celebrating the agreement.

Under the agreement, ESRF and ILL can propose scientists from their staff for appointment as Associate Professors at UJF. The same review of academic credentials will be applied to these scientists as for candidates for other Professorships. Whilst these scientists will remain on the staff of the ESRF or the ILL, respectively, they will be able to spend up to about 10% of their time for teaching at UJF, notably master and postgraduate courses, and for supervision of thesis students. These Associate Professorships have an initial duration of three years and can be renewed twice.

Across Europe, large national laboratories often entertain similar links with neighbouring universities. The agreement between UJF, ESRF and ILL will make it possible to reap the mutual benefits of such an arrangement also in Grenoble. The first appointments are expected in early 2009.

 

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