Call for expressions of interest for the implementation of a research study of Postgraduate Studies First and Second Cycle supported by METAXA

The call is addressed to postgraduate students of A’ or B’ cycle or post-doctoral students. It will be funded by METAXA® up to the amount of 5.000 € plus VAT. The study can last from March to October 2025, with the possibility of extension until October 2026, in case the candidate is working on a doctoral or postdoctoral thesis, without additional funding.

Interested candidates are invited to submit their application and the necessary supporting documents (in Word and pdf format) to the email of the Hellenic Entomological Society of Greece([email protected]), with simultaneous notification to the emails of the President and the Secretary General of the Hellenic Entomological Society([email protected] and [email protected], respectively). The deadline for applications is 10 April 2025.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Have Greek or Cypriot nationality and attend universities based in Greece
• Hold a degree from a higher education institution in the field of Agricultural Science or a related discipline
• Have written acceptance by the University Institution in the postgraduate programme of study for which the award is sought.
• have a good command of the English language

Subject of the study:

The main object of the study is the recording and seasonal variation of insects and other arthropods in vineyards of Samos, located in different altitudinal zones and cultivated with different cropping systems. In each of the 2 main altitudinal zones (semi-mountainous and mountainous) 2 organic and 2 conventional vineyards and at least 1 witness per category in the lowland zone will be selected. The presence of beneficial insects in each vineyard will be recorded at regular intervals. In addition, plants around the vineyards that harbour beneficial insects and act as sources of beneficial insects in the agro-ecosystem will be sought and recorded.

Finally, species of insect fauna that attract the interest of visitors, such as species of Lepidoptera, beneficial insects (e.g. ladybirds) etc. will be recorded on plants around the vineyard of “METAXA LIKNON”.

The aim is to collect data concerning the ecology of the main harmful and beneficial insects in the vineyards of the island of Samos, in order to enable the protection of beneficial species in the agro-ecosystem and, consequently, the sustainability of the vineyards.

The deliverables will be:

1. The detailed sampling data and their analysis. Report of results on soil insects, flying insects, beneficial insects in each vineyard and comparison between cropping systems/zones. Quantitative and qualitative evaluation of the results.
2. Photographic and entomological collection of insects in organic and conventional vineyards of each altitudinal zone and in the witness vineyard.
3. Photographic collection of insects that attract the interest of visitors, as well as data on their occurrence, with reference to bio-ecological data useful for information purposes.
4. Presentation of the results of the study, in a workshop to be held in Samos.
5. Submission of a paper or short communication or review article to the scientific journal of the Entomological Society “Entomologia Hellenica”.

Selection criteria

Applications will be evaluated by a three-member committee appointed by the Board of Directors of the Entomological Society of Greece. Two members of the respective Board of Directors and one faculty member or researcher of the Entomological Society of Greece will participate in the committee.

It is a prerequisite that the members of the Committee do not have a proven scientific collaboration with the candidates.

The following criteria will be taken into account inthe evaluation of the applications , with their respective weighting:

• Brief description of the original research proposal to be implemented in the context of the call (title, purpose, methodology, deliverables, implementation schedule) [up to 1000 words in total (excluding bibliography), duration of up to 10 months] (50%

• Bachelor’s degree (if the degree is from a university of a Member State of the European Union, it must be accompanied by a certificate of equivalence and a certificate of equivalence) (15 %)
• Scientific activity of the candidate: a)Scientific publications in international or Greek scientific journals (1 credit) and/or conference presentations (0,5 credit) related to the subjects of the call for proposals, with a maximum of 3 and 6 credits for the first and second cycle of studies respectively (15%), b) Participation in research projects related to the subjects of the call for proposals (0,5 credits per month of full-time employment with a maximum of 6 and 12 credits for the first and second cycle of studies respectively) (10%)
• Fellowships – awards received by the candidate in previous years (1 point per fellowship – award, with a maximum of 2 points) (5 %)
• Two (2) Letters of Recommendation, [one (1) necessarily from the Supervisor of the research], (5%)
• Affidavit, that he/she is not receiving any kind of financial or other support for this study.
• Oral interview with the members of the 3-member evaluation committee and the members of the Board of Directors of the ERC as well as representatives of METAXA (20%).

For candidates of the second cycle of studies, who are members of the Entomological Society of Greece until the submission of the application, an increase of five percent (5%) of their total score is foreseen.

In the event of a tie, the candidate with the highest basic degree will be given priority in the order of merit.

Each candidate agrees to have his/her name published on the ERA website.

The amount of money will be paid in stages, immediately after the beneficiary has submitted to the ERC the supporting documents for the costs of any travel to Samos for the purpose of this study, including daily allowance and accommodation and car rental. Also included are the costs of consumables (e.g. traps, insect attractants, etc.) up to the amount of 400,00€ in total, upon submission of the corresponding supporting documents. For the supervising teacher, it is foreseen to cover his/her expenses for 2 visits for the organisation of the field study.

The beneficiary undertakes to submit a copy (in electronic form) of all the deliverables of his/her study to the e-mail of the Entomological Society of Greece (e-mail: [email protected]), and METAXA (e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]; [email protected]), immediately after its completion and at the latest by November 1, 2025 in case of a postgraduate thesis, or at a time to be determined by the committee in case of a doctoral thesis.

The beneficiary also undertakes to include the following text in the study and in any publications that may result from it: “This work has been financially supported by METAXA® and implemented by the contribution of the Hellenic Entomological Society” or “This work has been financially supported by METAXA® and implemented by thecooperation of the Hellenic Entomological Society“. In any other case, METAXA reserves the right to cancel the project and demand the return of the entire amount already allocated, after a relevant notification. Finally, the beneficiary undertakes to communicate any publications or announcements in conferences, which may arise from this study, to the e-mail of the Hellenic Entomological Society and to those of METAXA.

For further information, interested parties may address their questions to: [email protected]