It has been agreed that the following administrative arrangements for Marie Curie Research Training Networks will apply within the University of Ulster.  Note that if any future contract falls outside these agreed procedures it will not be possible to admit to PhD any staff recruited as a result of the contract – no part of the PhD Regulations approved by the Senate will be waived unless Senate approval is sought and written into the contract at the proposal stage.

The Contract:

1. should not include any requirement for a ‘joint’ doctoral arrangement with another University;
2. can include arrangements for an exchange with one or more collaborating institutions if first approved through the Faculty Graduate School;
3. should not include any amendment to the standard thesis presentation or examination processes as set out in the Regulations for PhD;
4. should include sufficient funding to cover expected consumable and travel expenses in support of the project; and
5. should include explicit approval for the project including funding and supervisory arrangements from the relevant Research Institute Director and the Research Graduate School Head.

Recruitment and Admission

1. Early Stage Researchers (ESR) should be recruited by HR in consultation with the Research Institute Director and the Graduate School Head using HR standard recruitment processes.
2. The Job Specification should include as an essential criterion a requirement for applicants to hold a first or upper-second-class honours degree in a relevant subject area together with a masters degree (as dictated by the country of origin of the applicant) or equivalent qualification(s) as indicated by NARIC comparison, plus relevant experience.
3. The Research Graduate School will be represented on the interview panel.
4. The qualifications of all successful candidates will be checked and approved by the Research Graduate School as being acceptable to the standard required for PhD admission.
5. Successful candidates will be classified on the HR database as full-time Research Assistants.
6. Eligible candidates may apply for admission to PhD on a part-time basis.
7. Applications for admission will be processed by the Research Student Section of the Research Office according to standard procedures.
8. Candidates approved for PhD admission will be registered on a part-time basis under the Regulations for PhD at the University of Ulster.

Appointees will be placed on a separate Marie Curie payscale created for the purpose by HR, which will be in line with the salary offered for Marie Curie Early Stage Researchers.