Spierfonds young talent symposium

Scientific research without active involvement from patients is hardly imaginable anymore. More and more institutions and funds recognize the necessity of involving the people for whom the research is intended. This session will address questions to help you understand what is expected of you and how to get started.

Two postdoctoral researchers, one with a clinical background and the other with a preclinical background, are currently in their first positions after obtaining their PhDs. During this interactive session they will address a wide variety of topics from getting a Postdoc position towards actually having one and all that comes with doing a Postdoc. Attend this session to ignite inspiration, gain clarity on the Postdoc landscape, and gather insights for shaping your career path.

We are witnessing unprecedented advancements in technologies like AI that are affecting most, if not all, aspects of human life and society. Many of these developments are highly complex and have far-reaching implications, requiring careful ethical reflection. Rather than simply oppose or embrace generative AI. We will briefly consider these issues from a larger philosophical perspective, but we will focus on more concrete and practical issues that we all face as researchers and healthcare professionals.

This session will focus on exploring the next steps in your academic career. Prof. dr. Coen Ottenheijm will share some insights in being a Principal Investigator (PI) and will focus on some career defining moments based on his own experiences. As being a PI, Coen is experienced in supervising PhD students and will share his view on how to successfully obtain a PhD. Take this chance to get inspired and receive some valuable tips for your PhD journey.

Narrative CVs are gaining popularity in science. They align with the trend of valuing scientists beyond their publications. Whether you’re planning for a funding application, or planning future career moves, crafting a narrative CV is a crucial step.  It will help you think about what your unique selling points are, and how to highlight them.

Knowing what you want (and therefore what you don’t want) is the first step. Next, you need to be able to say ‘no’ properly to your colleagues and managers. This becomes easier if you also know and can articulate what you say ‘yes’ to. In this workshop, you will practise different ways of convincing your colleagues.

Strong negotiation skills are essential during a PhD career. When people think of negotiation, they often imagine a tough battle between two parties with unyielding positions. However, negotiation is actually a part of everyday life and doesn’t have to result in conflict. In fact, when you strive to engage in conversations in a creative manner, with attention to both parties’ interests, both parties can emerge as winners from the negotiation.