Hellenic Observatory Visiting Research Students

The VRS will be able to spend one or two academic terms at the School. A supervisor will be assigned to every VRS, and the student(s) will be able to take up to two full unit taught courses. Certain seminars and classes can be attended subject to the advice and approval of the supervisor and teachers concerned. Examinations are optional, and grades do not contribute towards a degree or diploma. A full transcript of studies can be produced at the end of the period of study.

Registration as a Visiting Research Student in the European Institute is for those who do not wish to proceed to a higher degree (at the LSE), but want to pursue their own research with a supervisor who can support them in this research.

The Hellenic Observatory will cover the VRS tuition fees of £3,752 per term and provide a subsistence award of £3,800 to each student for each term. The support will be for either one student for 2 terms or two students for 1 term each. The terms are Autumn Term (30 September – 13 December 2019) and Winter Term (20 January – 3 April 2020). Students must be resident in London and attend full-time and continuously for the duration of their VRS period. The VRS will be expected to provide 15 hours of research and/or admin work per week for the HO during their VRS period 

1. To apply students must submit the following documents:

a) Current curriculum vitae (in English);

b) Full contact details;

c) Personal Statement, clearly stating which of the four EI research themes is their primary area of academic interest and identifying to which their proposal falls under (or is more related to);

d) Letter of Recommendation from the academic director/supervisor of their PhD programme confirming their current registration and the compatibility of the intended studies at the LSE with their home programme;

e) Transcript of their university grades to date (undergraduate and if available masters) - at this stage a certified translation of the transcript will be sufficient. Scholarship holders will be asked to bring the original documentation with them on arrival and will not be able to receive their funding until they have done so;

f) Certificate confirming their proficiency in English. Scholarship holders will be asked to bring the original documentation with them on arrival and will not be able to receive their funding until they have done so;

g) Written Proposal of no more than 1500 words, detailing the proposed research question(s), the relevant literature and previous research in the field, planned research methods and theoretical/conceptual framework to be adopted. This will enable us to make an informed decision about the proposal and is equally important to establish the appropriate supervisor for the planned research.

Please note that staff cannot be expected to provide feedback on proposals and students should submit a proposal that fully covers the elements required.

h) Timetable stating where they are with their studies.

2. Applications will be considered in the first instance by the EI/HO on the basis of the quality of the current research project (i.e. PhD work) and its relevance to the HO.

3. Selected shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview. This can be arranged via SKYPE or telephone as necessary.

4. Once selected the successful applicant(s) will be required to complete an LSE application form in order to be registered as Visiting Research Students at LSE. Further information will be provided at the time and no fee will be charged. 

1. Application Deadline 

The closing date for receipt of applications is Monday 3 June 2019.

2. Submission 

Applications to be submitted to the Hellenic Observatory by email to: Hellenicobservatory@lse.ac.uk.  The subject matter of the email should read 'Application for HO / EI Visiting Research Student' 

All materials must be received by the deadline. 

Regrettably we are unable to accept any incomplete or late applications received after the application deadline.

3. Shortlisting 

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted by Friday 14 June 2019 and interviews set up. 

4. Successful Candidates  

Successful candidates will be notified by Monday 8 July 2019.