Career Coaching
The third aspect of training relates to the overall personal development of the young researchers and their careers. In addition to the standard project plan and student progress reporting mechanisms, we work out a personal career opportunity and strategy assessment plan for each cortex student at the beginning of the 3rd year of their PhD term. In fact, by being part of this program, fellows experience intense academic mentoring, which helps them to plan their research careers in Europe with much care and guidance.
This is achieved by associating the young researcher – in addition to a research supervisor – to one of the senior researchers of this program as academic advisor or mentor. Experienced female scientists especially support female fellows, helping them to balance their gender specific needs with their science career. The goal is to work against the trend and keep our young female researchers in the sciences. Also, faculty members of the pharmaceutical industry associated with cortex (so far Novartis, GSK, Wyeth) may serve as mentors. In addition, the early stage researchers gain international experience and develop intercultural sensitivity due to the rotation into laboratories in at least three countries.
The cortex Partners: Berlin, Bochum,
Helsinki, London, Oslo,
Prague, Stockholm, Zurich
