The Faculty of Natural Sciences (Nat) and The Junior Researcher Association (JRA) have joined forces to assist young researchers at Nat in their career development. Together, we aim to contribute to ensuring that young researchers are aware of their opportunities and experience that they can develop and plan their careers, whether they continue within or outside of academia.

The day will include exciting presentations and breakout sessions with speakers from both AU and in the industry. Furthermore, you will get the opportunity to meet other young researchers and network across the faculty. The focus of the day is on your individual career planning and development, where you can learn more about the possibilities of conducting research in the industry, what it takes to build a career in academia, opportunities for entrepreneurship, and how this can and should coexist with a private life that includes space for family, friends, and leisure.

Program:

14.00 – 14.10: Welcome by Dean Erik Østergaard Jensen
14.10 – 14.45: The life and future of a junior researcher by Camilla Gregersen
14.45 – 15.00: Presentation of JRA by JRA President Anne Birkeholm Jensen
15.00 – 16.00: Breakout sessions (Choose one)
16.00 – 17.00: Social and informal networking

Venue

Stakladen, Building 1423, Fredrik Nielsens Vej 2-4, 8000 Aarhus C

Breakout sessions

Research in the Industry

More research is being done in industry than in academia in Denmark, and more researchers work outside of academia than in academia, but what do you actually do as a researcher outside of academia, and what is “industry” all about? This workshop will provide you with insights into industry jobs, and what they involve, the competences that are looked for and valued, and what it takes to pursue a career in an industry context. Former PhD and postdoc at iNano, Anders Hauge Okholm will share his experiences of working first as a research scientist in Arla Foods and now as a Microbiology specialist in Global QEHS in Arla Foods Ingredients. You will be presented with insights into the industry and get plenty of time to ask questions and engage in dialogue with the presenters and fellow participants.

What is needed to do career in academia?

It is no secret that the journey to a permanent position in the academic world can be long and challenging. In this panel discussion, we bring together Maya Pasgaard (Tenure track Assistant Professor), Gilles Claude Vanwalleghem (Tenure track Assistant Professor), David Lundbek Egholm (Head of Graduate School of Natural Sciences), and Olav W. Bertelsen (Union representative for Academic staff) to discuss what it takes if you aspire to pursue a career in academia. You will gain both institutional and personal perspectives on what is required and what considerations you should make to take the next steps towards an academic career. Furthermore, you will get the opportunity to ask questions to the panel and by that contribute to the elaboration of this complex subject.

How to become an academic entrepreneur

This workshop caters to those of you who are curious about entrepreneurship and who are tempted to set foot on your entrepreneurial path. You may have “sort of a vague idea in the back of your mind”, or you are just curious about entrepreneurship and spinout ventures and want to explore the field. It‘s crucial to acknowledge that entrepreneurial ideas rarely unfold as initially envisioned. So, the pivotal step for you is to get started. Perhaps it entails sharing your idea openly. Within this workshop, The Kitchen will provide valuable perspectives and tools to empower you, enabling you to take those crucial first steps. Furthermore, you have the opportunity to engage with an academic entrepreneur who has embarked on their own entrepreneurial journey, actively striving to create a spinout venture.

Work/life balance

Life in academia as a young researcher is exciting, challenging, and fulfilling, but also demanding, time-consuming or sometimes even draining. Your work and identity may intertwine, and sometimes radical changes are required to break a habit of spending all waking hours in work-mode. In this workshop, we will talk about what you can do to free yourself from unhealthy work patterns and find a more sustainable balance in your life. Reflection, awareness, expectation management, and finding a new normal are keywords that will frame intriguing discussions about how you can find your optimal work-life balance. This workshop will be hosted by stress coach Bodil Øster how has a research background and understands life in academia and what it is like to be a junior researcher.