Eurodoc Endorses the European Commission's Manifesto for EU COVID19 Research

As a fierce advocate for Open Access and FAIR principles, Eurodoc fully supports the Manifesto for EU COVID19 Research, which lays out guidelines for sharing research related to the ongoing pandemic. Eurodoc reiterates the need to make scientific data accessible, interoperable and reusable for the long run, beyond the post-pandemic stage. Read the full press release here. 

The Path to Being Pensioners For European Researchers - The RESAVER Scheme

Academic mobility is highly encouraged and essential for high-quality research in Europe. To meet these mobility requirements, early-career researchers (ECRs) often delay thinking about their future retirement plans. Eurodoc Pension Officer Giuseppe Montalbano encourages an active approach to one’s pension, even though it may seem far in the future. Learn about the main pension scheme types for ECRs and the advantages of a common EU pension scheme, known as RESAVER (Retirement Savings Vehicle for European Research Institutions) from his article here. 

"Open Practices, Transparency and Integrity for Modern Academia" (OPTIMA) Project Proposal Has Been Awarded €930K 

As one of the consortium members, Eurodoc is proud to announce that the European Commission’s Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) has awarded the OPTIMA proposal. Led by Lviv Polytechnic National University, OPTIMA’s primary goals are to implement Open Science practices in Ukraine, to improve high education quality and to boost inclusivity. The three-year project will start in January 2021 and has a total budget of over €930k. You can find the selection results for the call here.

SNPA Survey Report on Starting Grants and Establishing Research Independence

Establishing oneself as an independent researcher is considered the primary target in the academic career path. In this survey by the Swedish Network of Postdoc Associations (SNPA), postdoctoral researchers in Sweden highlight difficulties experienced in establishing independence through limited grant funding, inadequate guidance and unequal support. Read more in their report here.

Survey Report on Working Conditions and Wellbeing of Dutch PhD Candidates

PhD education is a valuable experience, but it should not come at the expense of one’s own wellbeing. Only in recent years, studies have turned the spotlight on the wellbeing of doctoral candidates and laid their unfavourable conditions bare. Based on their recent survey on this topic, PhD Network Netherlands (PNN) reports that nearly half of the PhD candidates in the Netherlands have an increased risk for a mental health disease, with international students being even more vulnerable (59.6%). Around 38% of them show burnout symptoms. Find a more detailed report here.

Call for Postdoctoral Research Fellowships within the Nordic Neutron Science Programme

To promote neutron science, Nordforsk announces a funding call for new starting groups, as well as experts in neutron scattering techniques. Nordforsk is an organisation under the Nordic Council of Ministers that facilitates Nordic cooperation on research and research infrastructure. This call extends a special invitation to applications for a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship, with a two-year project start date in Spring 2021. More information can be found here.
 

Universities and the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC)  

European University Association provides a platform for discussions about the implications and implementations of EOSC from the perspective of universities. A special highlight will be the EOSC Strategic Research & Innovation Agenda. Find more information about the event here.
 

Advancing Doctoral Training: Open Science, Mental Wellbeing and Communication

Interested in building an array of skills for a successful career as an ECR while adapting to a dynamic and competitive landscape? The OEduverse project by SciLink provides European ECRs with an excellent opportunity to enrich their skill set with tools required by future employers. Find out more here. 

European Innovation Fest

European Research and Innovation Days  

EARTO Policy Event 2020

EuroScience Open Forum (ESOF) 2020