Visiting Researcher Programme (VRP)

**Applications are currently being accepted and will be considered on a monthly basis for existing project requirements**

1.   POST CONTEXT

The Centre for Maritime Research and Experimentation (CMRE) is an organization of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), an established world-class scientific research and experimentation facility that organizes and conducts scientific research and technology development, centred on the maritime domain, delivering innovative and field tested Science & Technology (S&T) solutions to address defence and security needs of the Alliance.  

The CMRE Visiting Researcher Programme is designed to support the Research Division (RD) and the Engineering and Information Technology Division (EITD) in developing their programme of work. The Programme offers the best and brightest students and university researchers from NATO nations the opportunity to participate in a dynamic, scientific team, conducting research on subjects of interest to both the researcher and to NATO. Researchers will have access to CMRE equipment, facilities, and data, and will gain practical experience through collaboration with CMRE scientists and engineers.

Applications are currently being accepted and will be periodically considered for existing project requirements.

Successful candidates will contribute to CMRE's core competencies and current projects. CMRE's core competencies include:

• Underwater acoustics
• Underwater Robotics
• Seismic acoustic
• Sensors and signal processing
• Ocean observation and prediction
• Operations research of complex systems
• Remote sensing and adaptive sampling
• Underwater communication engineering
• Ocean and marine engineering
• Unmanned underwater and aerial vehicles (sensors, payloads, platforms)
• Information theory
• Cognitive science
• Autonomy and collective intelligence
• AI
• Climate change and Security
• Compact fuel cell power modules (robots and drones)
• Virtual reality
• Data exploitation
• Quantum Technology
• Computer Science
• Cybersecurity
• System Administration
• Cloud computing
• Networking
• Modelling and Simulation
• IT support/Helpdesk

Current research programmes based on these competencies include autonomous mine countermeasures, cooperative anti-submarine warfare, data and environmental knowledge and operational effectiveness, and maritime security. Applicants are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the technical content of the Centre's current research efforts, and tailor their applications accordingly.

2.    ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

To apply for the Visiting Researcher Programme you must fulfil below criteria on the date of your application:

• University Degree (Bachelor's or Master's Degree) in a related field - obtained no more than 5 years prior.
• English SLP 3333.

• Research Fellows fall within the category of Consultants and chapter XVI of NATO CPRs regulates them.
• Research Fellows assignments will last a minimum of 90 consecutive days and may be extended by one further period not exceeding 90 days. On a case-by-case basis, assignments shorter than 3 months may be accepted.
• Research Fellows will receive paid travel to and from their place of residence to the CMRE in accordance with NATO travel rules, unless the assignment is less than 30 consecutive calendar days.
• Research Fellows are reminded that it is their responsibility to investigate with their appropriate Authorities in their home country whether a VISA is required for them to work in Italy and for their family members to join them in Italy.
• Research Fellows salaries are not exempted from taxation, therefore, they are responsible to declare their salaries received from CMRE to the appropriate Fiscal Authorities, as required by legislation.
• Research Fellows are not automatically insured for accidents (to include accidents on duty), health problems or other risks, therefore, insurance coverage is mandatory. They need to provide evidence of insurance coverage for illness, accidents and accidents on duty for the whole period at CMRE.
• Research Fellows will be required to sign a statement understanding that all proprietary rights in any work carried out under the VRP shall be vested in the organisation. They will also be required to participate in a security briefing upon arrival.

• Applicants should submit their applications through NATO Talent Acquisition Program (NTAP) and they may propose their own topic of research for consideration when aligning candidate interests with CMRE project requirements.
• Application is limited to nationals of NATO member states: Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, The Netherlands, Türkiye, United Kingdom and United States.
• Candidates must be at least 21 years old to be considered for the Visiting Researcher Programme. On a case-by-case basis, participation to the VRP may require the researcher to obtain a NATO Secret security clearance certificate or interim clearance issued by the national authorities of the researcher's country of origin prior to arrival.

• Please note that we can only accept applications from nationals of NATO member countries.
• Applications for this vacancy (including the most relevant publications, the diplomas - stating the highest level of education - and a CV) must be submitted using the E-recruitment system – NTAP. 
• The selection process will be based on CV screening and remote interview with the subject matter expert. The final decision on the appointment of the selected Research Fellow will stay with CMRE Director.

• CMRE values diverse backgrounds and perspectives and is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and talented workforce. We welcome applications of nationals from all Member States and strongly encourage women to apply.
• Selected candidates are expected to be role models of integrity, and to promote good governance through ongoing efforts in their work.
• Research fellows will be invited to a dedicated community of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) professionals in the Science and Technology Organization (STO), whose main goal is to inform STO’s efforts and widen the NATO scientific knowledge base, with personal and community growth as main objectives.

NOTE:

NATO will not accept any phase of the recruitment and selection process, in whole or in part, by means of generative artificial-intelligence (AI) tools, including and without limitation to chatbots, such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (Chat GPT), or other language generating tools. NATO reserves the right to screen applications to identify the use of such tools. All applications prepared, in whole or in part, by means of such generative or creative AI applications may be rejected without further consideration at NATO’s sole discretion, and NATO reserves the right to take further steps in such cases as appropriate.

For more information on how to apply:

How to apply for posts within NATO

6 tips to apply for posts within NATO