Periodic Reporting for period 1 - LEAD (Postdoc to research LEADer programme)
Periodo di rendicontazione: 2022-04-01 al 2024-03-31
The competences for performing top-level research and to lead research is growing in complexity. There is a demand for creative, interdisciplinary and innovative researchers, led by open, inclusive and responsible research leaders. This requires a new and dedicated approach for strategic career development of researchers, especially in the transition from research talent to research leader. The ‘postdoc to research LEADer programme’ will address the individual needs of 16 talented researchers, holding a PhD degree. Our VISION is to empower the fellows to become the next generation of creative, critical, open, collaborative, responsible and inclusive research leaders, in or outside academia. The Biotech Research and Innovation Centre (BRIC), University of Copenhagen is a centre of excellence in biomedical research, aiming to offer outstanding research training. BRIC will together with several partner organisations TRAIN, NURTURE and CHALLENGE the fellows to develop an individual researcher and research leader profile. LEAD will offer the fellows attractive employment conditions and 3-year contracts with BRIC. The recruitment will be based on transparent, merit-based selection, involving external experts from academia and industry, ensuring selection of diverse talent. Our AIMS are to 1) Ensure transparent merit-based selection, 2) ensure a supportive framework for conducting transformative, interdisciplinary biomedical research, 3) support development of excellent research leadership competences and transferable skills and 4) support the researcher’s strategic career development according to individual goals. LEAD will equip the fellows with excellent research abilities, strong leadership competences and a broad transferable skills-set, which will broadly increase their employability. Our ambition is that the fellows after completion are enabled and inspired to apply for their first research leader position in or outside academia.
Three cohorts of postdoctoral fellows were recruited, using a transparent merit-based selection process. 16 fellows were recruited with project starting date ranging from 1 April 2022 – 1 August 2024. All fellows developed their project in the initial months of their employment. The projects underwent an ethical self-evaluation process followed by assessment by the local ethical committee at UCPH. Furthermore, all fellows developed their own personal Data Management Plan. The fellow training activities have been initiated, including a peer mentoring programme where the fellows meet once a month to discuss relevant issues. Career Development Plans have been developed, and they are updated every year by the fellow with support from the supervisor. In the first year, one fellow has published two open-access peer reviewed articles and further two secured funding for project grants of over 2 million DKK.
LEAD fellows work on research projects varying from cancer mechanisms to neurobiology. These projects contribute to the advancement our understanding of important biological processes and mechanisms that lead to disease. To date, two peer-reviewed publications have been published by fellows employed under the LEAD programme.
The well-developed LEAD selection process introduces transparent and merit-based recruitment practices in research. Not only does it impact the recruiting institution, but it also contributes to implementing the EU’s principles for human resources development in R&I by sharing best practices across European life science research centers.
The LEAD programme implementation contributes to establishing sustainable structures that support postdoctoral researchers at UCPH. For instance, it involves internal collaborations for providing workshops on data management plan, negotiation, and creativity. The self-mentoring peer groups within the LEAD programme have received positive feedback from participants and will also be adopted by other postdocs in the institute.
The above practices are used and further developed in new COFUND projects at UCPH and also in institutes part of the EU-LIFE alliance, demonstrating establishment and continuation of best practices in researcher training.
The well-developed LEAD selection process introduces transparent and merit-based recruitment practices in research. Not only does it impact the recruiting institution, but it also contributes to implementing the EU’s principles for human resources development in R&I by sharing best practices across European life science research centers.
The LEAD programme implementation contributes to establishing sustainable structures that support postdoctoral researchers at UCPH. For instance, it involves internal collaborations for providing workshops on data management plan, negotiation, and creativity. The self-mentoring peer groups within the LEAD programme have received positive feedback from participants and will also be adopted by other postdocs in the institute.
The above practices are used and further developed in new COFUND projects at UCPH and also in institutes part of the EU-LIFE alliance, demonstrating establishment and continuation of best practices in researcher training.