Qatar Science Leadership Program Seeks Budding Scientists and Research Managers

If you are a recent Qatari graduate and you would like an exciting career in science, Qatar Foundation’s Qatar Science Leadership Program (QSLP) would like to hear from you. QSLP provides two years of professional development for Scientists and Research Managers, leading to guaranteed careers at Qatar Foundation and its members.
QSLP is now accepting applicants for its two training tracks, which begin September 2010. The deadline to apply is May 15th  . Applications can be made online.
QSLP is open to graduates with recent Bachelors or Masters degrees who are looking to unlock their human potential. The program was established in 2008 by the QF Research Divisions in collaboration with Education city partners. It is designed to help promising graduates develop the insight and skills that will be needed for Qatar’s innovative science and research activities.
“QSLP aims to build the human capacity needed to build a knowledge-based society, in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030,” explained Dr. Abdelali Haoudi , VP of Research at QF.  “We want to make Qatar a leader in innovative research and our graduates will soon be leading the way.”
QSLP offers two tracks of training: one leads to the career path of a Scientist; the other leads to a career as a Research Manager. Prospective applicants can view the full program details at www.qf-researchdivision.org/qslp.
The Research Scientist track is a technical career path where trainees work to champion an area of scientific investigation that is of strategic importance to the needs of Qatar and the MENA region. They pursue an advanced postgraduate Masters, PhDs or equivalent doctoral research degree at prestigious partner institutions, such as Harvard University, USA; Oxford University, UK; or Cambridge University, UK.  Trainees are sponsored abroad for their higher studies.
“If you ask me, it is the best scientist development program in the region, if not the world,” said Ahmad Abushaikha a trainee who is currently pursuing a PhD in Petroleum at Imperial College in London. “QSLP guarantees future Qatari scientists the funding for a degree, a career upon completion of the program, and work in highly respected research centers and scientific hubs.”
Priority areas for research include Genomics, Proteomics, Stem Cells, Applied Nanotechnology and Molecular Imaging, as well as Energy, Environment, Computing and Multidisciplinary Research.
The Research Management track gives trainees hands-on experience in different aspects of research management. Trainees spend six months rotating through different positions in the QF Research Division, Qatar Science & Technology Park and SIDRA   Medical and Research Center or one of the Education City universities.  Career opportunities are available in the QF Research Division, or in one of the QF Research Centers.
“My role is an exciting one that satisfies my thirst to learn something new every day, apply what I learn and pass the knowledge on to others,” said Haya Al Ghanim, a Technology and Research Executive at QSTP and the first graduate of the QSLP program. “The program gave my career a high quality jump start; having worked with passionate experts, I know I have built my career on a strong foundation.”