CASA Calls

Standard duration: 3 years, Size: 1-2 PhDs or Postdocs, 1-2 PIs (details cf. below)

CASA supports applications for projects which involve several PIs, at best on topics spanning several Research Hubs of the cluster. The holistic approach of CASA was a decisive selling point for the application and hence we need to deliver regarding the interdisciplinary character of our cluster.

Regulations

• All applications for CASA Fundamental Research Projects must involve at least one RUB PI.
• All CASA MPI PIs may submit joint applications with RUB PIs for CASA Fundamental Research Projects.
• RUB PIs only: While we continue to recommend that applications for FRP projects should involve at least two PIs – ideally covering various Research Challenges – applications by single RUB PIs will also be welcome, provided they present a convincing project design.
• When you plan for a new project proposal, you can list personell costs for phds and / or postdocs, and student assistants.
• There is no maximum number of student assistants per CASA PI and FRP. Student assistant positions applied for within FRP applications will be evaluated thoroughly by the CASA Management Board, regarding their project fit and necessity for the success of proposed research.
• Maximum duration for student assistant contracts in FRP applications: maximum of 3 years, same as maximum project duration.
• You may apply for equipment via FRP applications. Equipment items applied for within FRP applications will be evaluated thoroughly by the CASA Management Board, regarding their project fit and necessity for the success of proposed research.

Submission

• Please only use the FRP proposal template you can find ►here. Proposals should be in line with the guidelines set out in the template, and proposals to be submitted should address all criteria listed.
• If you are considering to submit a proposal, please use ►hot crp and proceed with „new submission“. Please fill in the following information: Title, authors and abstract, HUB & RC. This way we can ensure coordination with other project ideas. The proposal itself can then be uploaded afterwards.

Evaluation

All proposals submitted will undergo a two-step evaluation. The first step will involve peer-review of each proposal by one international scientist who will be identified by the four Research Hub Leaders. For the second step, the review results will be forwarded to the Management Board. The board members will discuss the proposals, taking into consideration the review by the external expert, the relevance for the Research Challenge and the CASA cluster as a whole. The Management Board will decide whether the proposal fulfills funding specifications, and then rank all proposals. It is likely that more proposals will be submitted than funding available, which will mean that the best proposals are executed.

Download / FRP Proposal Template (PDF)

Download / FRP Proposal Template (LaTeX)

Goal: Our goal is to attract postdoctoral researchers "not too long" after their promotion and enable them to conduct their first own research project with the mentorship of a CASA PI (similar to the “Eigene Stelle” program of the DFG). We offer a “jump-start” into an academic career via 2 year contracts. We expect that within the duration of this contract, candidates will be able to write a successful proposal for a third-party funded Early Career Researcher Group (such as a DFG Emmy Noether group or an ERC Starting Grant).

Our job add can be found here: https://casa.rub.de/en/jobs/casa-jump-start-program-for-postdocs

Regulations:

• We seek to attract outstanding postdoctoral researchers to Bochum with this program. Hence, the candidates can be employed at RUB only, with the mentorship of a CASA PI (at RUB or other participating institutions).
• If you have questions regarding the compatibility of prospective candidates with the general CASA goals and the aim of this program, please contact us under info(at)casa.rub.de.  
• Applicants can only be hired if sufficient CASA funds are available.

Proposal submission:

• Postdoctoral candidates contact one of the CASA PIs first to discuss the prospects of collaboration and mentorship within the Jump.Start Program: https://casa.rub.de/en/about/team.
• If they reach a preliminary agreement with one of the CASA PIs about terms and possible topics of a prospective collaboration, the respective candidate submits a scientific proposal for a research project in CASA via  career-casa@rub.de ; The proposal template can be found ►here.
• The Management Board on the basis of the project proposal decides about funding via CASA.

Goal: In order to put special emphasis on emerging areas in cyber security, CASA offers a new project format to address high-risk/high-gain research problems, called RISK.Projects. Since high-risk / high-gain research topics come not only with a chance of innovative new results, but also with a high likelihood for failure, RISK.Projects will have the following 1+3 years timeline.

• Phase 1 (Year 1): Exploratory research in a high-risk / high-gain area. If research in Year 1 is promising, the project will be conducted for three more years. Based on the findings in the first year (1 page report), the CASA Management Board will decide upon a funding for Phase 2.
• Phase 2 (Year 2 to 4): Involved PIs conduct innovative research in the emerging area.

Regulations:

• At least 2 PIs (incl. at least 1 RUB PI),
• Interdisciplinary projects are strongly encouraged. However, highly innovative projects with a clear focus on a specific single Research Challenge are also welcome,
• Rule of thumb: up to 2 PhDs / Postdocs can be funded for 1(+3) years (rule may be altered if sufficient arguments for additional PhDs apply),
• It is possible to apply for fewer PhDs/Postdocs in the exploratory Phase 1 and more staff in Phase 2,
• Funding after December 2025: In the very unlikely case that CASA will not be funded beyond 2025, we expect that there will be a phase-out financing for PhDs and Postdocs employed through CASA.

We expect that at the most there will be 1 or 2 RISK.projects financed through this format. I.e. our expectation is that the projects will constitute a fundamental progress in emerging areas.

Submission:
If you are interested, please contact the respective Leaders of your Research Hub, Angela (Hub D), Christof (Hub B), Eike (Hub A) and Ghassan (Hub C).