About the Idiap Academic Visitor Program

The Idiap Academic Visitor Program is part of our continuing effort to build a worldwide network of researchers in the areas of Artificial Intelligence (in the widest sense). The program offers academic and industrial researchers the opportunity to visit the institute and develop their own research projects while benefiting from our environment and expertise in multi-disciplinary fields. Academics on sabbatical leave are particularly welcome to apply to this visitor program.

The main aims of the program are to:

• Strengthen the research projects of the visitors by offering support and interaction opportunities with Idiap's international and cross-sectional team of experts;
• Provide visitors with direct access to Idiap's data and resources in order to help them carry out their research projects;
• Provide the opportunity to collaborate with Idiap research staff and promote networking within a worldwide research community:
• Extend Idiap's scientific and industrial network.

Visitors are encouraged to initiate collaboration with our researchers on a specific research project, ideally aiming for joint publications and sustainable collaboration beyond their stay. Visitors will be provided with office space and access to computing facilities, as well as support to access our databases and software libraries.

Visits typically last between minimum 3 months and maximum 8 months. Extended study visits may be arranged upon request.

Finances

A budget has been set aside to fund this Academic Visitor Program. Financial support will be adapted on a case-by-case basis, depending on the academic visitor's motivations, merit, and financial needs. It will partly or entirely cover housing and living expenses incurred by the visit. Idiap will also provide assistance in obtaining the necessary visa and work permit and finding local accommodations.

Eligibility and Application

This program is an international exchange program geared toward top-notch researchers. To qualify for an academic visit to Idiap, the applicants will need to work on a research project related to Idiap research during their stay.

Applications to our Visitor Program must include the following documents:

• Letter of request, including the preferred dates for the visit, the general objectives of the visit, and the specific focus activities;
• A CV with a record of funding and publications;
• A short proposal (5-10 pages maximum) of a research/collaboration plan referring to the focus of the visit. This must include the following items: Summary, Objectives, Literature review, Data, Methods, and Expected results.

We accept applications twice a year, with deadlines on 30 April and 30 September. The Idiap Research Committee reviews all applications. Candidates will be notified of acceptance or rejection within four weeks of the relevant deadline.

We expect to support 1 to 2 visitors per year. Please be advised that academic visits can commence at the earliest 6 months following the respective deadline (depending on logistics and required paperwork).

About Idiap

Idiap is an independent, not-for-profit, research institute accredited and funded by the Swiss Federal Government, the State of Valais, and the City of Martigny.

The Institute seeks to maintain a principle of open and multicultural competition on the basis of merit, providing equal opportunity for all candidates. Idiap is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant because of gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by law.

Idiap offers competitive salaries and conditions at all levels in a young, high-quality, dynamic, and multicultural research and academic environment, also well connected with the industrial world.

Idiap is located in the town of Martigny in Valais, Switzerland, offering exceptional quality of life, exciting recreational activities, including hiking, climbing and skiing, as well as varied cultural activities. It is within close proximity to Lausanne and Geneva. Although Idiap is located in the French part of Switzerland, English is the official working language.

For frequently asked questions (FAQs) about living in Switzerland, please go to https://www.idiap.ch/en/faq

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