New Course: Planning of Future Career

A new interdisciplinary course Planning of Future Career will be offered this semester. Students will explore academic career choices, ethics, leadership, project proposals, AI in chemistry, entrepreneurship, and science diplomacy — all through interactive challenges with experts from academia and industry. 

This course is designed for Master’s and PhD students who are considering an academic career or exploring opportunities in research, industry, and beyond. Through interactive sessions with experts from academia, industry, and diplomacy, students will gain practical skills, insights, and tools to navigate the many aspects of a scientific career.

Course Highlights

  • Academic Career Choices – finding the right mentor and research topic, identifying opportunities for early-career researchers.

  • Ethics in Science – understanding principles of research integrity, famous cases of misconduct, and how to avoid pitfalls.

  • Teamwork & Leadership – self-reflection, motivating others, and learning to cooperate effectively.

  • Data & Information in Science – identifying reliable sources, managing scientific data, and open science practices.

  • Project Proposals & ERC Grants – how to write, evaluate, and succeed with competitive proposals.

  • Lab Management & Leadership – building and running a young research group.

  • Artificial Intelligence in Chemistry – understanding opportunities and challenges of AI tools.

  • Entrepreneurship & Start-Ups – from idea to company and beyond.

  • Scientific Diplomacy – navigating international collaborations and representing science at the global level.

Learning Format

The course is structured around practical challenges: students will draft project proposals, analyze real cases of scientific misconduct, prepare short personal statements, simulate interviews, design start-up strategies, and engage in role-play scenarios of science diplomacy.

By the end of the course, participants will:

  • Understand career pathways and decision-making strategies.

  • Be able to apply ethical standards and good practices in research.

  • Gain skills in communication, leadership, and team management.

  • Learn how to prepare successful project proposals and grant applications.

  • Explore entrepreneurship and international collaboration opportunities.

This course offers a unique opportunity to prepare for the diverse challenges of a modern scientific career.

 

Link to SIS