Early Career Researchers Explore Academic and Private Sector Careers in PROMICON's Recent ECR Workshop on Career Paths

PROMICON's Early Career Researchers (ECR) workshop series continues with a second round, which took place during the last week of September. ECR workshops provide a platform for the project's young researchers to connect, develop professionally, exchange knowledge, and encourage internal networking.

The second ECR Workshop was dedicated to the topic of Career Paths, which provided invaluable insights into diverse career options within the scientific realm. Held on September 27th, 2023, the workshop featured PROMICON experts as speakers, each hailing from distinct career backgrounds. Dr. Jens Krömer (UFZ), the coordinator of the PROMICON project, brought academic expertise, Konstanze Schiessl (onCyt) shared insights from the start-up sector, while Francisco Rodriguez (AIMEN) provided perspectives from the technology and innovation domain.

Conducted in an online setting, the workshop aimed to provide attendees with a holistic understanding of diverse career paths while simultaneously promoting knowledge sharing among early career researchers.

The workshop commenced with each speaker delivering brief presentations, highlighting the essential aspects of their respective careers and personal journeys. This was followed by an interactive discussion where attendees had the opportunity to ask questions, share their own experiences, and participate in fruitful dialogues with the speakers.

During the workshop, several critical points were shared, shedding light on the dynamic world of career paths for early career researchers. One key takeaway emphasised the significance of early decision-making for those aspiring to pursue a career in academia. Attendees were advised to proactively engage in prolific publishing and to seek grant opportunities from a variety of sources, including their institutions, associations of interest, and the EU Commission web portal.

Another key notion underscored the need for early determination regarding one's career path, whether academia or the private sector. The speakers stressed that transitioning between the two can be challenging due to the time commitments inherent in private sector roles and the demand for continuous publishing in academia.

Flexibility and an open-minded approach were also advocated throughout the discussions. Attendees were encouraged to explore opportunities abroad, whether for education or career advancement. The speakers highlighted the value of broadening one's perspective and experiencing differences in ethics and politics across various geographical contexts. In the ever-evolving landscape of scientific research, adaptability and a global outlook emerged as vital assets for the researchers.

Stay tuned for updates and announcements regarding the forthcoming ECR workshops!