EURAXESS Smart Talks
EURAXESS Smart Talks is a podcast for research talents, offering guidance on research careers, innovation, and entrepreneurship. It is funded by the European Union through the ERA Talent Project. The show explores topics relevant to researchers and career development. The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Commission.
Afleveringen
Prof. Inta Mierina "The Idea Comes First: Excellence before the proposal"
In this episode, Prof. Inta Mieriņa, sociologist and ERC grantee from Latvia, shares her ERC journey and research on migration, social integration and migrant reception in Central and Eastern Europe.She discusses the inspiration behind her project, the value of international mobility and networks, and offers practical advice on preparing for an ERC application and interview - from seeking critical
Beyond Papers and Grants: Brian Cahill on Researcher Mental Health, Networks, and Institutional Change
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Dr. Brian Cahill — Grant Manager of the ReMO COST Action (CA19117) on Researcher Mental Health for a wide-ranging conversation about why researcher wellbeing has become one of academia's most pressing, and most overlooked, issues.Brian traces his own path into this work back to his years chairing the Marie Curie Alumni Association, whe
Stress-Testing Resilience: An MSCA Postdoc Journey in Manufacturing AI with Tanel Aruväli
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Dr. Tanel Aruväli, an MSCA postdoctoral fellow originally from Estonia (TalTech), now researching at the University of Malta. Tanel shares the story behind his research on simulation-based stress testing for resilience assessment in manufacturing companies — explaining what "resilience" really means for a factory floor using a sim
Surfing the Waves of Discovery: Exploring Hidden Water on Other Worlds
Today we take you beyond Earth to the icy moons, dusty plains, and hidden subsurface oceans of our Solar System. Our guest is Professor Elena Pettinelli, a physicist and planetary scientist from Roma Tre University. Prof. Pettinelli is the Principal Investigator of the ERC-funded project SWIM (Surfing radio Waves to detect liquid water in the solar system), which investigates planetary subsurface
Beyond Burnout: Building Institutional Support for Researchers' Mental Health
In this episode, we talk with Dr. Elisa Garcia Garcia, of EURAXESS Spain (Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology, FECYT), about one of academia's most under-addressed issues: researchers' mental health. Drawing on her own move from bench researcher to research manager, Elisa breaks down what "institutional support" really means in practice, introduces SATIS — a new self-
Mindful Connections: Academia, Communication, and AI in Mental Health
About This EpisodeWhat does it really take to stay mentally well in academia? In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Gábor Kismihók — a researcher at the intersection of learning analytics, career development, and wellbeing — for an honest, grounded conversation about mental health in the research community. From the early warning signs supervisors should watch for, to the role of institutional cul
Understanding the ERA Dimension of Horizon Europe: Strategies, Insights & Real Project Experiences
How does the European Research Area (ERA) translate from policy vision into concrete opportunities for researchers and institutions—especially those in widening countries? In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we dive deep into the ERA dimension of Horizon Europe and explore how to build competitive, high‑impact WIDERA proposals.You’ll hear expert insights from:Siiri Kolka – National Contact Po
Radiance & Research Mobility: Dr. Juliane Sauer on Shaping MSCA Support
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Dr. Juliane Sauer, Director and founding member of OXYGENEUM, and former MSCA National Contact Point for Switzerland. With over a decade of experience supporting researchers across Europe, Juliane shares her journey from academia to consultancy, her leadership in the Net4Mobility project, and her current role in the ambitious Radiance initi
Mobility That Matters: How Moving Shapes a Scientist’s Career
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Daria Aksenova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Monika Golińska—a biochemist, cancer researcher, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow whose work bridges leading European institutions including the Medical University of Łódź and the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute.Dr. Golińska shares her journey from early student exchanges to leading a cutt
Crossing Borders and Bridging Disciplines with Dr. Antonino Puglisi
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Dr. Antonino (Nino) Puglisi — a Chartered Chemist, seasoned researcher, and European advisor at UK Research and Innovation. With more than 20 years of international experience across Italy, the UK, Austria, and Turkey, Nino shares a deeply personal and insightful journey of how research mobility shaped his scientific career, worldview, and
How Deindustrialization Shapes Politics: Lessons from an ERC Starting Grant
In this episode of Euraxess Smart Talks, we speak with Anne‑Marie Jeannet, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Milan and Principal Investigator of the ERC Starting Grant project DESPO – Deindustrializing Societies and the Political Consequences.Anne‑Marie reflects on her journey into social science, her unconventional academic path from the humanities to quantitative sociology, a
Dr. Jennifer Kefauver on Mechanobiology, Mobility, and MSCA Fellowships
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Daria Aksjonova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Jennifer Kefauver, a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Postdoctoral Fellow whose career spans world‑class research centers in the US, Switzerland, and Spain.Jennifer shares her journey from earning her PhD at Scripps Research—studying mechanically activated ion channels in Nobel Prize–winning laboratories—t
Experiences of American researchers in EU: Social humanities field in focus
Anthropologist and legal scholar Dr. Niklas Hultin (Associate Professor, George Mason University) joins EURAXESS Smart Talks to unpack what it really means to build a career at the intersection of anthropology, law, history, and international relations—with a focus on security practices in West Africa. We explore his transatlantic journey (Sweden ↔ United States), consulting and expert-witness wor
Dual Careers, Global Mobility & Scientific Life with Prof Jessica Cauchard and Dr Michael Levant
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks we speak with a remarkable dual-career academic couple: Dr. Michael Levant, a physical chemistry and microfluidics researcher at TotalEnergies, and Prof. Jessica Cauchard, Full Professor for Embodied Intelligent Interaction at TU Wien and a pioneer in human-drone interaction.Together, they share their deeply personal and highly practical journey across count
Beyond Relocation: How Dual Career Services Transform Global Mobility at Universities
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Mary Kagendo Kobia, Senior Global Mobility Consultant at the University of Copenhagen. Mary shares her decade-long experience supporting international researchers and their families as they transition to life in Denmark. From practical relocation challenges to creating a sense of belonging, Mary explains why dual career services are essenti
Let’s get science out of the lab! A conversation with Professor Marina Joubert
In this inspiring episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Dr. Marina Joubert, a trailblazer in science communication from Stellenbosch University. With a rich background in food science, journalism, and agricultural sciences, Dr. Joubert shares her journey from the lab to the public sphere, advocating for evidence-based discourse and the democratization of science. We explore how scienti
Science Meets Startups: Inside the EURAXESS START-up Tour
Guest: Prof. Milan Zdravković — Associate Professor and leading Applied AI researcher at the University of Niš, Serbia; Coordinator of the Serbian EURAXESS Network; Leader of the Scientific Startup Entrepreneurship Hub in the EURAXESS Hub project.📄 Episode DescriptionIn this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Jovan Arandjelović welcome Prof. Milan Zdravković to discuss the
How combining linguistics and mathematics turned into a successful company
In this episode, we sit down with Marco Antonio Stranisci, a postdoctoral researcher in Natural Language Processing at the University of Turin and founder of aequa-tech, an AI startup focused on social impact. Marco shares his journey from humanities to computer science, his activism against hate speech, and the creation of Debunker-Assistant, a tool designed to combat misinformation.We explore th
Strategic Intelligence, Space, and Career Mobility with Dr. Frank Danesy
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Frank Danesy – a strategist, academic, and innovator whose career spans the armed forces, aerospace, academia, and entrepreneurship. With over two decades at the European Space Agency, Dr. Danesy shares insights on strategic intelligence, career mobility, and the evolving landscape of research leadership.From his early days in the military to co-founding Orbit
Entrepreneurship in Academia - From Idea to Prototype
In this inspiring episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Artemis Kontou — a polymath whose career spans mechanical engineering, entrepreneurship, academia, and music. From her PhD in tribology at Imperial College London to co-founding a privacy-focused startup with over 1 million downloads, Artemis shares how she bridges the worlds of researc
EURAXESS Germany: Possibilities for all
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we explore the wealth of opportunities available to international researchers in Germany. Our expert guests provide first-hand insights into research mobility, academic support systems, and practical strategies for thriving in Germany’s research ecosystem.Guests:Vitaliy Bondarenko – Senior Scientific Officer, EURAXESS Germany Network Coordinator Imme Burkar
Science Diplomacy in Action: A Conversation with Dr. Marco Borra
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we dive into the fascinating world of scientific diplomacy with Dr. Marco Borra, an experienced scientist and diplomat. Dr. Borra shares his non-linear career journey, from his early days in marine biology and molecular research to his current role as Scientific Attaché at the Italian Embassy in Paris.We explore the intersection of science and policy, discu
From the Ivory Tower of Science to the Black Hole of Politics: A Conversation with Prof. Robbert Dijkgraaf
"There is a lack of deep understanding of how science works, making it difficult for society to truly listen to the voice of science. Strengthening this understanding is crucial—and one way to do so is by encouraging more scientists to engage with science policy."We are honored to welcome Prof. Robbert Dijkgraaf, renowned physicist and former Minister of Science and Education in the Neth
Research management – Fascinating way to develop a researcher's career
The need for skilled and professional research managers grows as research becomes more complex and competitive. These experts play a key role in supporting researchers—from identifying funding opportunities to navigating institutional processes to promoting research excellence.Join us to explore how the RM ROADMAP project is paving the way for broader recognition, professional development, and new
The Evolving Role of Research Managers
Many Horizon Europe funding schemes focus on career development for researchers, but institutional change is also in the spotlight. Whether you're: An early-career researcher seeking new opportunities, A research manager looking to stay ahead of the latest trends, A university representative exploring how EU initiatives impact HR strategies, or An industry leader wanting to understand the sk
Actionable Advice for MSCA Applicants - Part 2
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are the European Union’s flagship funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training of researchers. MSCA support research excellence, mobility, and collaboration across borders, sectors, and disciplines. They offer funding for doctoral training, postdoctoral fellowships, staff exchanges, and co-funded programs, fostering career development at
Actionable Advice for MSCA Applicants - Part 1
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are the European Union’s flagship funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training of researchers. MSCA support research excellence, mobility, and collaboration across borders, sectors, and disciplines. They offer funding for doctoral training, postdoctoral fellowships, staff exchanges, and co-funded programs, fostering career development at
Moving from academia to corporate roles - What Italian Industry Offers for Researchers: Part 2
In Part 2 of this two-part series “What Italian Industry Offers for Researchers”, we continue our exploration of how PhD holders can successfully transition from academia to corporate roles. We’ll hear from experts on what to expect when entering the private sector with a PhD, as well as dive into practical advice for the hiring process.Our guests this episode are Stefania Bertone and Roberta Cons
Moving from academia to corporate roles - What Italian Industry Offers for Researchers: Part 1
In Part 1 of this 2-part series “Moving from academia to corporate roles - What Italian Industry Offers for Researchers”, we explore how PhD holders can successfully transition from academia to corporate roles. We delve into the recruitment process, uncover what makes PhDs stand out, and offer practical advice for career paths beyond research.Our first guest in this episode is Lucia Salto, Career
Exploring EURAXESS China and the China-Europe Research Exchange
The focus of this episode is on EURAXESS China. We are happy to welcome our experts, that are Halldor Berg representative of EURAXESS China, Lena Kaufmann researcher on China EU relationship, and Slaven Misljencevic Policy Officer, Directorate-General for Research and Innovation.Let’s explore not only China EU relationships but also people that make things happen.We are happy to welcome Halldor Be
Resilience in the face of adversity: The Luxembourg Way
EURAXESS Smart Talks invites you to explore the support measures and researchers’ path not only towards excellent research and scientific results but also while dealing with stress, anxiety and all the unpleasant feelings. Experts from the University of Luxembourg shared their vision and approach in guiding, coaching and mediating researchers in their daily work to gain sustainable results and kno
Luxembourg University: Your Gateway to Research Excellence
EURAXESS Smart Talks introduces a very diverse and very supportive ecosystem - University of Luxembourg. Let us take you to all the opportunities that are available for the incoming researchers. We will explore how EURAXESS could support you with the help of a very experienced and knowing professional Dr. Alienor Didier with an overview of Luxembourg research ecosystem and different mentoring sche
Decoding ERC Grants Part 2: Strategies for Success
The European Research Council (ERC) is the premier European funding organisation for excellent frontier research. It gives creative researchers across Europe the support to run cutting-edge projects. The overall ERC budget is more than €16 billion (2021-2027).ERC Grants can change the trajectory of a researcher’s career– which explains why over 100,000 research proposals have been made to the orga
Decoding ERC Grants Part 1: Effective Communication
The European Research Council (ERC) is the premier European funding organisation for excellent frontier research. It gives creative researchers across Europe the support to run cutting-edge projects. The overall ERC budget is more than €16 billion (2021-2027).ERC Grants can change the trajectory of a researcher’s career– which explains why over 100,000 research proposals have been made to the orga
Switzerland - A great place to be a researcher!
Switzerland is known for its stunning landscapes, world-class education, and cutting-edge research. It has become a sought-after destination for researchers from around the globe. In this episode, we will explore the unique offerings of EURAXESS Switzerland, a gateway that opens doors to remarkable research opportunities and facilitates integration for international researchers.Together, we’ll del
Serbian AI strategy - an example of good practice
The rapid development of artificial intelligence and its increasing application require each country to create its own artificial intelligence strategy. In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Leah Nerenberg will discuss with guests why artificial intelligence strategy is important and how to develop it, taking Serbia as an example of good practice.Guests for this episod
From understanding artificial intelligence to a successful startup
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Leah Nerenberg will discuss Artificial Intelligence. It is one of the fastest-growing and most popular data-driven technologies being used all around the world. ChatGPT, a new AI text based interface made headlines as it gained 1 million users in just 5 days after launching. Today, it has over 100 million users and has been visite
Spain: A Journey through Academia and Beyond!
To remain in academia or to leave - that is the question! On this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Leah Nerenberg will explore the stories of researchers and academics who transitioned to careers beyond academia, all through the lens of Spain. Guests for this episode include Dr. Izaskun Lacunza, a science policy practitioner running the International Projects Unit at the
From Science to Startup: Inside Information - Part 2
Is entrepreneurship a feasible career option for researchers? How can EURAXESS help young researchers develop a career in entrepreneurship? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and Ph.Ds. who made this transition successfully. In part one of this episode, we will hear insights and tips for young talents from Prof
From Science to Startup: Inside Information - Part 1
Is entrepreneurship a feasible career option for researchers? How can EURAXESS help young researchers develop a career in entrepreneurship? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and Ph.Ds. who made this transition successfully. In part one of this episode, we will hear insights and tips for young talents from Prof
Discover Careers Beyond Academia - Part 2
Why do researchers need to explore careers beyond academia? How can EURAXESS help young researchers in career development? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and two life stories of Ph.Ds. who made this transition successfully.In part one of this episode, we will hear insights and tips learned from the successf
Discover Careers Beyond Academia - Part 1
Why do researchers need to explore careers beyond academia? How can EURAXESS help young researchers in career development? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and two life stories of Ph.Ds. who made this transition successfully.In part one of this episode, we will hear insights and tips learned from the successf
Tips and perspectives on the gender gap in academia - Part 2
What is the actual situation of women in academia? What are the European policies and the reality in academia? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and two unique female Ph.D. stories.In part one of this episode, we will hear tips and insights from two fascinating interviews with Ms. Oriana Bertucci, a career ex
Tips and perspectives on the gender gap in academia - Part 1
What is the actual situation of women in academia? What are the European policies and the reality in academia? For answers to these questions and practical tips, listen to today's EURAXESS Smart Talks and learn more from experts and two unique female Ph.D. stories.In part one of this episode, we will hear tips and insights from two fascinating interviews with Ms. Oriana Bertucci, a career ex
