We believe diversity broadens our research scope and enhances the quality of our education. Diverse teams lead to better strategies, more creative ideas and faster innovation for all. Our Irene Curie Fellowship aims to advance talented female researchers to thrive and be successful in top positions in science. The program addresses the aspirations and needs of women in industry, academia, and research institutes to support their ambition to become a professor at our university. 

Therefore, we are excited to have launched our Irène Curie Fellowship in July 2019. This program aims at attracting talented female scientists. We welcome all persons who (self-)identify as female to apply.

Irène Curie Fellowship

In May 2021, we launched a renewed version of the Irène Curie Fellowship. The program is dedicated to reach at least 30% female researchers among TU/e’s permanent academic staff by 2024 and contributes to the societal goal of promoting equal opportunities and a society in which everyone's abilities are utilized. It has been endorsed by the Netherlands Institute for Human Rights in March 2021, based on the current legislation of the European Court of Justice.  

Click the picture to view the video about TU/e resuming the Irène Curie Fellowship. 

Features

  • Tenure track position of 5 years or senior position

  • Substantial start-up package

  • Develop your own research line

  • Participate in curriculum of department

  • Dedicated mentoring program

  • Dual career opportunity for spouses

As an Irène Curie Fellow, you will receive a tenure track position as assistant professor of 5 years. After a maximum of 4 years, the tenure decision will be made. If you already have a more senior profile, you are welcome to apply as associate of full professor. You will receive a tailor-made career proposal.

As an Irène Curie Fellow you will be offered the opportunity to establish an independent research program in collaboration with colleagues at our university, and at national and international institutions. Furthermore, we expect you to contribute to the curriculum of the department.

You will receive a substantial start-up package to kick-off your career in our university and, for example, hire a PhD candidate. In order to empower you, we provide support such as training programs for academic leadership and the university teaching qualification. A dedicated mentoring scheme is offered to support your ambitions, to increase your scientific career opportunities and to contribute to a stronger network of talented female scientists.

Flexible work schedules can be arranged. Family friendly initiatives are in place, such as our Dual Career Opportunity program to support accompanying partners, an international spouse program, and excellent on-campus children day care and sports facilities. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement for Dutch Universities.

Portraits Irène Curie Fellows

News

Where innovation starts and people matter

In the TU/e community of students and staff, we strive for diversity and inclusion. A diverse workforce generates better problem-solving strategies and more creative ideas, accelerates innovation and enables teams to better learn and grow. Moreover, a broader network improves the capacity to function well in a pluralistic society and enables a connection to a wider number of stakeholders.

As TU/e strives for a diverse workforce, a special focus on female talent in science is necessary. In addition to the advantages of diversity, Irène Curie fellows can serve as role models for the next generation of female scientists.

Irène Curie

Irène Joliot-Curie was a French scientist, the daughter of Marie Curie and the wife of Frédéric Joliot-Curie. Together with her husband, Irène Curie was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1935 for their discovery of artificial radioactivity. Furthermore, she was the first female undersecretary of state in France.

Irène Curie became actively involved in promoting women's education and was passionate in the feminist movement, especially for sciences. She continuously applied for the French Academy of Sciences, an elite scientific organization, knowingly that she would be denied. She did so to draw attention to the fact they did not accept women into the organization.

Irène Curie is a symbol for the next generation of female scientists TU/e is looking for.