EURAXESS: Putting researchers on the road to success
The European Commission is making it easier than ever before for researchers to increase their employment opportunities and network with other researchers and organisations with the launch of the EURAXESS web portal. To stay ahead of the competition, the EU needs to further cement itself as a leader in scientific research. While opportunities exist in Europe for researchers, these often gets drowned out in the 'noise' of other events or lost in a plethora of web sites. This sentiment was mirrored by the European Commissioner for Science and Research, Janez Potocnik who made the importance of EURAXESS quite clear. 'The path to knowledge in Europe is often obscured by too dispatched information on available career opportunities, language and cultural barriers,' he commented. 'The EURAXESS web portal and services is overcoming many of these challenges.' EURAXESS provides a single access point to information and support services. This portal assists researchers and their families in moving to and pursuing careers in another Member State. The EURAXESS web portal offers four initiatives focussing on jobs, services, rights and links. EURAXESS Jobs takes over from the former European Researcher's Mobility Portal, and operates as a recruitment tool which will be constantly updated with job vacancies for researchers throughout Europe. EURAXESS Services, formerly the ERA-MORE Network, helps researchers and their family to organise their stay in a foreign country. EURAXESS Rights sets out the rights and duties of researchers and their employers; this is based on the European Charter and Code. Finally, the EURAXESS Links service, formerly ERA-Link, is a networking tool for European researchers working outside Europe. Also at the launch was Philippe Busquin, Member of the European Parliament and former EU Research Commissioner. He joined Janez Potocnik and research partners from across Europe to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the European Researcher's Mobility Portal which is embedded in the new EURAXESS Web Portal. Mr Potocnik was also keen to highlight other initiatives which will complement the EU's efforts to increase European research endeavours. 'There are other relevant actions that contribute to mobility and career development,' he explained. 'For instance, there's the 'scientific visa', which simplifies admission and residence of foreign researchers. We also fund incoming and out-going fellowships for European and foreign researchers. In addition we're engaged in the modernisation of universities, to improve their openness, governance and relationship to industry.'