Irish Research Council
Call for Nominations for the Irish Research Council-European Space Agency Traineeship Scheme
2017
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS June 23, 2017
Q: Can the referee be a former staff member of the HEI?
We understand that staff changes happen from time to time. Referees can be former staff
members if they knew the nominee in a professional capacity. In this circumstance, it would be
helpful for the referee to include their current position and contact details in the referee form, as
well as their former position (e.g. former course coordinator/tutor/supervisor).
Q: Can the interview be conducted by phone or skype?
The first interview must be face to face. Interviews are scheduled for July 20th and this information
is published on the website. Nominees are advised to prepare themselves for this in advance. The
second interview will be via phone/skype.
Q: I am submitting my thesis over summer and my full results will not be available until
September/October. All of my modules are complete. Am I eligible?
A: We have consulted with ESA on this question. Yes, we can accept nominations and provisionally
award a traineeship if the full results are not known at the time of nomination. However, the award
cannot be finalised until evidence of successful completion of a Master’s degree. Traineeships begin
in October, if the nominee cannot verify completion of their master’s degree with good standing by
the project start-date in October, the provisional offer of a traineeship expires.
Q: My grades will not be available by June 30, 2017. Am I still eligible?
A: Yes. Please see above question.
Q: I have a large database of graduates of the B.E. Aeronautical Engineering
programme. Many of them would have done a master’s outside of the Republic of
Ireland. Would they be eligible for the ESA Traineeship?
A: Nominees must have completed a Master’s Degree at a HEI within the Republic of Ireland. The
Council will be review the terms and conditions of the programme following the first iteration.
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