C2W: A springboard for the careers of young researchers

Cet article est tiré de la rubrique "Far Away" du magazine Omalius de septembre 2024.

Since 2021, three calls have been launched to recruit international researchers to enable them to develop new skills and competencies, while implementing a research project of excellence with a strong interdisciplinary focus. 30 24-month postdoctoral fellowships were funded, with clear objectives for both partner institutions: to enhance their attractiveness to brilliant internationally mobile researchers, increase their visibility and stimulate a multiplier effect with other funds. For the researchers, it's also a fantastic opportunity to broaden their career paths and boost their skills, results and research partnerships.

This partnership between two universities has confirmed their ability to attract top international researchers. A rigorous process, led by juries of external international experts, resulted in the selection of research projects in fields as varied as complex systems, theoretical physics, antibiotic resistance, microbiology, pedagogy, robotics, colonialism, gender-based violence, ancient and medieval history, or ecology, ...

Each of the institutions welcomes 15 researchers. For UNamur, the quota is more than filled with a total of 21 researchers! In addition to the 15 researchers supervised by Namur's principal promoters (PIs), there are 3 researchers involved in mixed projects (UMons co-promotion) and 3 more who, outside C2W, but thanks to its leverage effect, have secured other prestigious European funding.

The project is also having an impact on the quality of human resources development processes and the increase in the institution's training catalog, but also on researchers' careers and skills.

The program does indeed include research training and career development axes. This is an opportunity for UNamur to continue its development of tools and best practices to support researchers' careers as part of the EURAXESS project. Up to now, researchers have benefited from a summer school and various training courses, including an ERC project writing workshop, as well as training specific to their disciplines.

In addition, each of the candidates carries out a "secondment", i.e. a stay in another institution or with another partner (university, company, research center...) in Belgium or abroad. An excellent opportunity for promoters and post-doctoral researchers to expand their network.

• Nationality : French
• Promoter : Pr. Catherine Guirgkinger
Co-Promoter : Pr. Isabelle Parmentier

"Very good experience, too bad it's only 2 years! "

Project +s

Secondments, living in Belgium in a research-friendly ecosystem, numerous conferences in Namur, Belgium and FNRS funding tools accessible, especially for stays abroad.

Career +s

Larger network and the experience of having organized an international conference at UNamur.

Second I: UBC,Vancouver, Canada.

Secondment II : Brown University, Rhode Island, USA.

• Nationality : Ukrainian
• Promoter : Pr. Stéphane Vincent
Co-Promoter : Pr. Xavier De Bolle

"C2W is a very enriching experience. It was an excellent opportunity to communicate with representatives from various fields, both humanities and exact sciences, which was exciting."

The project's +s

Professionalism of the organizers, quality of the program organization and richness of the projects/events proposed, meeting a variety of experts.

The +s for career

Gain independence, expand my network, continue my research in Belgium, which has a recognized training in organic chemistry.

Second II: VIB-VUB Center for Structural Biology (Brussels, Belgium).

• 4.5 M€ budget
• 17 nationalities of researchers
• 30 postdoctoral fellowships

• Understanding the history of violence against women in Senegal: research awarded an ARES "Gender and Health" prize: read article
• Launch of the 2nd C2W call: read article
• Spring school for C2W project researchers: lire l'article
• Come to Wallonia | Connect to Wallonia : UMons and UNamur welcome 15 postdocs : lire l'article