Objectives

The general objective of this project is to increase the research excellence in the field of "Quantum Optics and Photonics" at the University of Latvia and to strengthen its role within European Research Area and globally.

The specific objectives are: 

1. To recruit an ERA Chair holder and his/her team to develop the field of "Quantum Optics and Photonics" at the University of Latvia (work package WP1 and WP2).

An excellent researcher with large scientific and management experience in the topic of "Quantum Optics and Photonics" will be recruited in an open competition for the whole duration of the project. He/she will lead the development of "Quantum Optics and Photonics" in NSP FOTONIKA-LV and UL by employing the competence in the field already accumulated in the UL and Latvia. ERA Chair holder will hold a position of a senior researcher, which will allow him/her to make appropriate resource allocation decisions, supervise team members and freely apply for research funding to raise the level of research excellence of the team and the institution. ERA Chair holder will have resources to recruit his team of about 4 experienced researchers.

2. To conduct excellent research in the field of "Quantum Optics and Photonics" (WP3).

An ERA Chair holder and his team will aim to conduct excellent research in "Quantum Optics and Photonics". It is expected that during the project the research team of an ERA Chair holder will prepare at least 24 scientific publications that will be cited in Scopus or Web of Science database. As the project covers only salaries of the team and minor research and material costs, the best possible openness will be granted to ERA Chair holder and his/her team to use the available research infrastructure of NSP FOTONIKA-LV and UL while new projects covering research costs will be raised (WP4).  

3. To compete for research funding (WP4).

ERA Chair holder and his/her team will prepare project proposals for internationally competitive research and innovation funding (FP Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe calls, and other) and locally competitive funding (European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Latvian Council of Science project calls). It is expected that during the whole period of the project, at least 4 project proposals for FP calls, 1 project for ERDF call, and 1 project for Latvian Council of Science will be submitted (and at least two projects funded). This will provide funding for research and allow to enlarge the research team of an ERA Chair holder.

4. To develop Strategy and to implement structural changes of NSP FOTONIKA-LV and UL (WP5).

ERA Chair holder will lead a group on the development of "Human Resources Strategy for Researchers" (HRS4R) (which implements the European Research Area priorities, including an open recruitment policy, gender balance, peer review, and innovative doctoral training) for NSP FOTONIKA-LV. There will be various discussions within NSP FOTONIKA-LV and UL administration about necessary structural changes that will later be implemented. "Strategy for the Development of Quantum Optics and Photonics in NSP FOTONIKA-LV and UL" will be prepared and disseminated. The strategy will ensure that the research excellence of the institution will be achieved on a sustainable basis.

5. To network, communicate and disseminate (WP6).

Good cooperation and networking with top-level research institutions and industry are required to create the institution's research excellence on a sustainable basis. An ERA Chair holder and his team will work on the establishment of new cooperation ties and strengthening old ones. Travel visits will support this – research institutions and companies will be visited, conferences and exhibitions attended. Two international conferences on "Quantum Optics and Photonics" will be organized in Latvia to gather shareholders (including industry), to raise discussion, to establish new contacts, and to report on the project.    

The project will be Managed (WP7) by the leadership team of the project, which includes coordinator A. Atvars and ERA Chair holder.

The overall scheme of the objectives and work packages of the project are given in the following figure: