Aarhus University is taking steps to make it easier for junior researchers to plan their careers. A comprehensive new career development programme and a new university-wide junior researcher website are some of the services now available.

2017.10.04 | Camilla Schrøder

Career guidance, a cross-disciplinary network of initiatives and a career development programme are all now available to junior researchers at AU – assistant professors, postdocs and tenure track researchers. The platform for all of these initiatives is a new website which offers  both currently employed junior researchers and prospective applicants information on a wide variety of relevant topics, including vacant positions, grant opportunities, employment conditions and collaboration with business and industry.

• Explore the website

In this spring of this year, the Committee for Research and External Relations announced plans to develop additional talent and career development services for junior career researchers. The new services are the result of this initiative.

• Read the news item on the project: New initiative will improve career options for junior researchers at AU 

“The number of junior researchers has increased over the past decade, and without a doubt, they make a large contribution to the university’s research environments. At the same time, the number of permanent positions is in decline. For this reason, I’m very pleased that we have created a platform which offers junior researchers improved possibilities for developing a career plan with clear goals – whether it leads to an academic career at a university or to a career in the public or private sector,” says Lise Wogensen Bach, vice-dean for research at Health and a member of AU’s Committee for Research and External Relations (UFFE).

The first in Denmark

AU’s Junior Researcher Development Programme is the first of its kind in Denmark.  The programme offers courses organised in four career tracks: research leadership, industry and teaching and supervision, as well as a self-designed track which lets junior researchers choose courses from the other tracks.

Career guidance is a central aspect of the programme. AU Career PhD & JR offers guidance and counselling on choosing a career path, in addition to a variety of career and network events. These include career fairs, visits to companies and network and alum events.

500,000 kroner has been allocated to the junior research initiative in 2017 and 2018. The concrete initiatives have been developed on the background of interviews with senior researchers (i.e. research group leaders, supervisors and one head of department), a focus group interview with a number of postdoc, and the example of similar programmes at leading universities abroad.

Junior Researcher Association invites you to the founding general meeting

In connection with the project, a group of junior researchers from the university's four faculties has taken the initiative to establish the first Junior Researcher Association at Aarhus University. The association will focus on offering relevant professional events, increasing the influence of junior researchers on university policy, and creating an interdisciplinary, cross-university network.

The association is supported by the Junior Researcher Development Programme and will hold its founding general meeting in November. All junior researchers are encouraged to participate.

Stay informed on the association website. 

For more information, please contact career guidance counsellor Shivani Joshi  at sjo@clin.au.dk