Panton Fellowships – apply now!

The Panton Fellowships, funded by Open Society Foundations and coordinated by the Open Knowledge Foundation, will be awarded to scientists who actively promote open data in science.

We believe that “open data means better science“. Panton Fellows will explore and support this concept. They will endorse the Panton Principles for making scientific data open, and will promote the value of open data in all areas of science.

Details

• Panton Fellows will receive £8,000 per annum. (Please Note: Panton Fellowships are not intended to cover full economic costs. Fellows are expected to continue to work/study at their existing organisation for the duration of the Fellowship.)
• Fellowships will be held for one year
• A small budget for travel and related expenses may additionally be available at the discretion of the board

There is scope for fellowship holders to carry out a wide variety of activities, and applicants are actively encouraged to establish their own work plan. Fellows may wish to:

• Promote the concept of open data in all areas of science.
• Explore practical solutions for making data open
• Facilitate discussions surrounding the role and value of openness.
• Catalyse the open community, and reach out beyond its traditional core

Eligibility

Eligible applicants will:

• Ideally be graduate students or early career stage scientists. We do however welcome applications from those with non-traditional backgrounds, so if you think you may be eligible, get in touch.
• Hold a valid EU passport/have the right to work in the UK.
• Reasonably expect to be employed and/or studying in a relevant scientific field until March 2013
• Reasonably expect to be based in the UK until March 2013
• Have the consent of employers/funders to be a Panton Fellow whilst continuing to fulfil existing commitments
• Applicants should be enthusiastic, self-motivated and proactive, with excellent communication skills.

How to apply

• Applicants should send a CV and covering letter to jobs [@] okfn.org by 24th February 2012
• Your covering letter should explain:
  • Why you believe open data is important to science.
  • How the fellowship would be relevant to your current work
  • As a Panton Fellow, what you would expect to do, make or change
• In addition, you are requested to nominate two independent referees in support of your application
• You are invited to supplement your application with e.g. a blog post or video if you wish.
• Applications will be assessed by the Panton Fellowships Advisory Board.
• Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed during March 2012. Interviews may be held via Skype if necessary.
• Panton Fellowships will commence in Spring 2012, and will last for one year.

The Panton Principles, formulated in 2009, encourage scientists to put scientific data in the public domain. Science is based on reusing, criticising and building on the published body of scientific knowledge. For science to function effectively, it is crucial that scientific data is open: i.e. free to use, reuse, and redistribute. For more information, see Panton Principles.