Via its FPRTD (Framework Programme for Research and Development), the European Union stimulates the employment of young researchers by facilitating their mobility throughout its territory. The CIMAP and the CRISMAT, both CNRS-ENSICAEN-UCBN laboratories, are actively involved in such programmes via their RAINBOW and SOPRANO projects, developed and negotiated by researchers in close partnership with the CNRS’ Normandy delegation.

Truly European research

Truly European research
Since 1984, the Framework Programmes for Research and Development (PCRDT) have become Europe’s key financial and legal tool for the implementation of its European Research Area (ERA). The 7th PCRDT (2007-2013) includes 4 different types of action, for 4 specific programmes: Cooperation, Ideas, People and Capacities. It is the first PCRDT to bring its duration into line with that of the Structural Funds Programme. The programme benefits from a markedly increased budget of 53.27 billion Euros (compared to the 6th PCRDT’s 19.11 billion Euros) and the creation of a European Research Council in support of “exploratory research”. Via the Marie Curie Programme’s Initial Training Networks (ITN), the EU intends to improve career prospects for its young researchers, in both the public and private sectors, by broadening their scientific and general skills.

Young researchers learn from their travels… Thanks to Marie Curie Initial Training Networks grants, Europe now knows no boundaries. Within the framework of the 7th FPRTD training fund (see boxed article), launched under the impetus of the European Union, PhD and post-doctoral students can now continue their research work throughout Europe. The EU (1) is looking to encourage the development of researcher training, along with the networking of collaborative fundamental research projects.
“The CIMAP and the CRISMAT coordinate such projects, involving genuine European networks. Two regional contracts is quite exceptional,” notes Aurélie Ménard, manager of the Normandy CNRS’ partnership and development department. Both projects are financed by European funds over a period of 48 months: 4.7 million Euros for CRISMAT-SOPRANO (2) and 4.8 million Euros for CIMAP-RAINBOW (3).
The 7th FPRTD budget has been considerably boosted and consequently offers increased grants for the two Normandy-based networks. “This funding will enable us to develop our ambitious project,” adds Pierre Ruterana, CNRS research director at the CIMAP (Centre for Research on Ions, Materials and Photonics) and coordinator of the RAINBOW project. Thanks to this new project system, and to support from the CNRS’ Normandy delegation, the two laboratories have recruited a European projects manager to look after administrative aspects and to “relieve” researchers of such tasks.

“Fruitful exchange”

After only a few months, enthusiasm is flourishing. “The multiplication of exchanges around RAINBOW is proving to be truly fruitful for all of the players involved,” highlights Pierre Ruterana. Students benefit from major research and training efforts, which are both interdisciplinary and multi-sector. They develop contacts which are sure to open a number of prospects and recruitment opportunities across Europe, in both universities and in industry.”
Over the coming 4 years, the students’ time will be shared between several sites: in Caen and in other partner laboratories throughout Europe. And the programme is dense. They will learn new techniques, take part in specific lectures and conferences and be exposed to varying work methods… Sylvie Hébert, a CNRS researcher at the CRISMAT (Crystallography and material science laboratory), and coordinator of the SOPRANO network, is convinced, “An ITN grant offers researchers a genuine chance for scientific and human enrichment. And it’s also an excellent start to their career.”
These exchanges also offer excellent prospects to laboratory research teams: encounters, training in complementary processes used by foreign teams, etc. “I’d like to familiarise myself with a technique used in one of our network’s German labs, and to develop new partnerships,” notes Sylvie Hébert, offering but one excellent example. Pierre Ruterana also perceives an opportunity for “a showcase to demonstrate that the research work conducted by our own teams is renowned.”

(1) Last December, the Lower Normandy Regional Council voted for the implementation of new mechanisms to encourage participation in European programmes.

(2) The SOPRANO network focuses on research on new oxides with remarkable electronic and magnetic properties, such as thermoelectric, magnetoresistive, magnetocaloric properties… by systematically coupling the macroscopic study of such properties to the spectroscopic determination of the valence and spin states of these oxides. The results then enable the obtained properties to be modelled. The network reunites 8 European partners including the CRISMAT laboratory and NXP in Caen. A total of 24 young researchers are involved in SOPRANO, three of them from the CRISMAT.

(3) The aim of RAINBOW is to produce “Indium Nitrude” semi-conductor layers of electronic quality and to demonstrate the feasibility of mechanisms derived from these materials. The network comprises 13 partners from 8 different European countries, and is looking to develop high efficiency solar cells. Thanks to European funding, 27 young researchers will be trained within the RAINBOW consortium, three of them based at the CIMAP.

CIMAP - RAINBOW
Pierre Ruterana
6 boulevard du Maréchal Juin - 14050 Caen
Tél : 02 31 45 26 53
Site : Rainbow

CRISMAT - SOPRANO
Sylvie Hébert
6, Boulevard du Maréchal Juin - 14050 Caen cedex 4
Tél. : 02 31 45 29 10
Site : Soprano

CNRS Normandy Délégation
Aurélie Ménard
UNICITÉ
14, rue Alfred Kastler - 14052 CAEN Cedex 4
Tél. : 02 31 43 45 30
Site : CNRS Délégation Normandie

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