DEFINITION
The Post-Doc is a scholar who has recently held a Ph.D. in the last 2 years. He
is supposed
to conduct research after the completion of his Ph.D. in a research lab
associated with
Prince Sultan University.
SELECTION CRITERIA
First, we have to make sure that the post-doc is likely to provide the expected outcomes. For
this reason, we need to analyze the following metrics when reviewing each postdoc candidate:
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Ph.D. holder.
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He must have at least four publications, among which 2-3 good quality journals.
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He must have published at high ranking journals (Q1 or Q2).
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He must have published at high-quality conferences.
In the case of computer science
and engineering, we look at the ranking of the conference and its impact on this
website. For other disciplines, active researchers should be consulted
about
the quality of conferences.
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The University of the candidate and his supervisor.
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Other Scholarly Activities:
- Research Network and collaboration,
- Review Duties,
- Editorship in Journals,
- TPC of Conferences.
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He must have H-index above 5 and a good number of citations.
A candidate who meets these criteria is eligible (does not mean should be accepted), and
then we conduct an interview with him. The purpose of the interview is to check the
communication skills of the candidate and assess his potential in fulfilling the
expectations.
RECRUITMENT PROCESS
The college dean or research lab/group leader posts an announcement for a
postdoc. It is important to
clearly specify the target research profile of the candidate that fits the scope
of its related
research thrust. Once applications are received, they are short-listed, and the
relevant candidates
will be contacted for an interview. After the interview, the college dean and/or
research lab leader
write a report stating their recommendation about the candidate with
justifications in case of
recommendation of his acceptance. The report is raised to the rector's office
for final approval.
DUTIES
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Conduct research under the supervision of a research lab leader.
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Supervise undergraduate/graduate students.
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Apply for/attract research grants.
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Co-supervise Master and Ph.D. students.
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Conduct national, regional and international research cooperation.
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Publish in top-ranked journals and patents.
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Give seminars and training.
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May teach a course (0-1 courses per semester) - should have no teaching load.
CONVERSION TO A FACULTY MEMBER
The postdoc researcher can be converted to a faculty member with mutual agreement
between the lab
leader, the postdoc, and the college in case there is a mutual interest for such
a conversion, either
at the end of three possible extensions or before. In this case, the candidate
will have the same
teaching load and duties and also the same salary package as other assistant
professors. In this
case, a request is raised from the college dean and the lab leader to the rector
for the approval of
the conversion to a position of a faculty member, for the rank of an assistant
professor. In the case
of the conversion, a new contract has to be signed between the University and
the faculty member for
the position of assistant professor.
DURATION OF THE CONTRACT
The postdoc candidate can be renewed as a postdoc 3 maximum times, annually. This
means the total
number of years as in a postdoc position should not exceed 4 years. After the
end of the possible
extension period, there are three possibilities:
-
The postdoc can be converted to an assistant professor at the University.
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The postdoc can be promoted to a senior researcher.
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The postdoc may not be admitted for any other contract.
The decision is based on the recommendation of the lab leader and the
availability of the position at
the University, in addition to the research interest and budget.
PROGRESS REPORT
The researchers are requested to send a progress report on a regular basis upon
the request of the
rector office. They are required to fill in the Activity
Report of PSU Researchers.
OUTCOMES & EVALUATION
The evaluation of the postdoc researcher should be based on an activity report
but there are some
minimum expected outcomes that he has to fulfill. The expected deliverable for a
postdoc is at least
5 Scopus papers where 3 of which journal papers and 2 additional as conference
or book chapter
papers. Furthermore, the postdoc will be assessed as per the following metrics.
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Number of ISI/Scopus papers.
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At least three (Q1, Q2, Q3) journals every year.
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Keeping a number of citations per year no lower than 100 citations in
Google Scholars and 70 citations in Scopus.
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Number of research events/training organized.
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Number of students supervised.
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Number/amount of research grants attracted.
POSITION APPLICATION DOCUMENTS