What we offer

Training on research skills

AGenT fellows will receive hands-on training on additional research-related skills and they will have also available a variety of scientific activities including weekly group meetings, CRAG seminars with external speakers, outreach events and internal institute talks and retreats, where CRAG scientists present their research (a valuable source of information about the different research lines and programmes carried out at the Center).

The host groups will provide an optimal environment to develop the scientific and leadership skills encouraging fellows to acquire leader roles in new grant applications and research, to co-supervise the training of new graduate students and collaborate in teaching activities, and to participate in dissemination of results at national and international meetings. Finally, the international character of the Center, with research collaborations with top research groups between EU and non-EU countries, will expand their scientific network in an international environment.

In addition, specific courses on research-related topics of relevance are regularly offered at CRAG, either by the Center´s technical personnel (for example, the Bioinformatics Unit, or the Confocal Microscopy facility), or by external providers.

Support and additional training in non-research oriented transferable skills

This programme is focused on training future research leaders to be able to manage and lead their own research group. To succeed in this new role, researchers need to be excellent in science but also need to be best at their soft and transversal skills. AGenT fellows will play an active role in managing their research project, with the supervision and support of their corresponding Group Leader, having in most cases a first experience in Project management that will help them in their future career as PIs.

Currently at CRAG, postdoctoral researchers are receiving training on career development, scientific writing skills and intellectual property. This training will be enhanced and complementary training will be organized for researchers involved in AGenT Project.

Monitoring and guidance of career development

Monitoring and guidance of career development is an inherent part of mentoring early-career scientists. Fellows hired under the AGenT programme will carry out their project in a Research Group, under the guidance and supervision of the corresponding Group Leader. The Group Leader is the main supervisor of the fellow and s/he will logically be the first supporter for the Fellow in the next step in her/his career. It is therefore expected that a strong scientific and professional link between the Fellow and the Group Leader will be established and reinforced, both throughout the stay of the fellow at CRAG and beyond, enabling future research collaborations. In addition to the Group Leader, AGenT postdoctoral fellows will have the option (voluntarily) of having an additional Mentor.

An additional level of guidance and monitoring will be provided to the AGenT fellows through the Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) of CRAG. AGenT fellows will have the opportunity to meet and discuss with the SAB during its yearly visit.

Short stays

As part of the AGenT fellows’ training in research-related skills, secondments to partner organizations (or additional institutions) will be available with a view to help the fellows grow their network of contacts and acquire relevant experience.

Appointment conditions of researchers

  • 2-year full time employment contract (Gross Salary approx. 35,300€/year)
  • Family allowance: 100 Euro/month. The family status of a researcher will be determined at the date of deadline of the call and will be revised during the lifetime of the action only if fellows change their status in terms of dependent children.
  • Relocation allowance: a single payment of 1,992 Euros at the beginning of the appointment for researchers with residence out of the Barcelona area at the time of signing the AGenT contract (the 1,992€ is the total amount, taxes will be deducted depending on the personal situation of each AGenT fellow).