Integration of and support for early career researchers has an extremely high priority for us. PILOT makes use of well-established early career support structures for doctoral researchers, MD students and postdocs at PILOT’s participating institutions.
In addition, PILOT specifically aims to foster academic independence and acquisition of transferable skills amongst our early career researchers. CoPILOT is one key mechanism for integrating early career (doctoral) researchers into the consortium and providing them with structured training. Beyond this, PILOT’s trans-regional, multi-institutional nature offers unique opportunities for early career researchers.
Doctoral and post-doctoral researchers within PILOT hold regular virtual meetings to support intensive networking and exchange of knowledge and ideas. Moreover, we provide financial support for short-term (up to 3 month) cross-site lab rotations for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, where such lab rotations would enable acquisition of specific skills or data that contribute to attainment of PILOT’s goals.
Integration of early career researchers across the multiple participating institutions is facilitated by regular retreats, a weekly (virtual) seminar with invited internal or external speakers and a mentoring program. Thesis Advisory Committees involving PILOT researchers from multiple institutions further contribute to integration of early career researchers into the consortium.
Co-PILOT and PILOT also provide financial and organizational support for early career researchers to present at international conferences, invite and host (international) guest speakers and arrange scientific events and retreats. These activities assist early career researchers in developing the scientific networks and soft skills required for a successful scientific career and independence.
If you would like to know more, please contact the CoPILOT Coordinator or the Central Coordination Team.