Scientific career development

PhD students get to know various options related to their development as members of a scientific community:

Introduction & career planning 2h – Joanna Rutkowska: During this class we will do practical training on formulating a Research Statement for the purpose of scientific and non-scientific audience.

Founding opportunities 2h – Joanna Rutkowska: The aim is to present diversity of national and international programs offered by scientific agencies, with special emphasis on grants designed for young investigators. The PhD students will learn basic rules of application, review criteria and ethics related to grant writing and reviewing. The tutor has experience as PI of research projects, scholarships recipient, and member of project granting bodies.

Protection of intellectual property and initiation of commercialization of research 2h – Krystian Gurba (CITTRU): The aim is to present the concept and rationale of intellectual property, distinct types of intellectual protection (copyrights, patents, trademarks, industrial design rights, databases, etc.). Special attention will be paid to: (i) practical aspects of commercialization of research outcomes at the Jagiellonian University, including real cases of JU inventions commercialization, (ii) properties of invention which can be protected, (iii) how to obtain a patent protection (procedures in Poland and EU), (iv) costs of patenting and maintaining the patent protection.

Interdisciplinary research 2h – Wojciech Branicki (Faculty of Biology & Instytut Badań i Ekspertyz Sądowych): The PhD students will learn about opportunities related to conducting research at the interface of various disciplines. The tutor has strong experience in environmental studies, medical research outside the University and in applied science.

International mobility 2h - Sebastian Glatt (MCB): The PhD students will learn how to get ready for international contacts, why they are important, how to overcome fears and how to plan mobility. The tutor has experience from the industry, and currently is a head of the Max Plank Lab in Cracow.

Work-life balance at the soft-money research position 2 h – Aleksandra Walczyńska: The PhD students will get to know what are the traps and rewards of being both, a scientist and a parent. The opportunities, challenges and necessary skills will be presented by a person who financed her salary and research with three projects (Foundation for Polish Science and National Science Center) while having two kids.

Career opportunities and skills expected outside academia 2h – Tomasz Rzymski (Ryvu): Drug discovery companies represent one of the most innovative industry sectors. The PhD students will learn about opportunities in biopharma industry, skills and knowledge that is typically expected from novel candidates. The aim is to discuss how to match these expectations by selecting optimal career development paths, focusing on specific expertise areas and soft skills. The tutor has international academic and industry experience from the early concept up to clinical development stage. Currently works as a head of R&D Biology in a biotechnology company being one of the potential employers in Cracow.

Interview for a non-academic institution 2h – Justyna Żółtek (Ryvu): PhD students will hear a mini-lecture and get practical training on how to get ready for an interview in a Life Sciences company. The tutor is Human Resources Director in a big pharmaceutical company in Cracow.

Melissa S. Anderson, Nicholas Steneck (eds), International research collaborations: much to be gained, many ways to get in troubles, 2011, New York, Routledge.

Judith Bell, Doing your research project: a guide for first-time researchers in education, health and social science, 2005, Open University Press.

Andrew J. Friedland, Carol L. Folt , Writing Successful Science Proposals, 2009, Yale University, New Heaven, London.