The European Science Foundation (ESF) acts as a catalyst for
the development of science by bringing together leading scientists
and funding agencies to debate, plan and implement pan-European
scientific and science policy initiatives.
ESF is the European association of 70 major national funding agencies
devoted to scientific research in 27 countries. It represents
all scientific disciplines: physical and engineering sciences, life
and environmental sciences, medical sciences, humanities and social
sciences. The Foundation assists its Member Organisations in two
main ways. It brings scientists together in its EUROCORES (ESF Collaborative
Research Programmes), Scientific Forward Looks, Programmes, Networks,
Exploratory Workshops and European Research Conferences to work
on topics of common concern including Research Infrastructures.
It also conducts the joint studies of issues of strategic importance
in European science policy.
It maintains close relations with other scientific institutions
within and outside Europe. By its activities, the ESF adds value
by cooperation and coordination across national frontiers and endeavours,
offers expert scientific advice on strategic issues, and provides
the European forum for science.
Where to seek more information for career development in Europe?
Thanks to financial support from the European Science Foundation
(ESF), young scientists in 27 European countries will now be able
to access Next Wave Europe, a new website offering online career
development and information resources for PhD and postdoctoral researchers
on the European continent.
Next Wave Europe (http://www.nextwave.org/europe/)
will roll out to an entire continent a formula which has already
proved popular and successful on a country-by-country basis, with
existing homepages tailoring content to the needs of scientists
in Germany, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the United States,
Canada and Singapore (there are a some Danish entries too).
Next Wave looks at research and non-research careers, on and off
the bench, in academia, industry, and elsewhere. It covers issues
of scientific training and career development. Role models provide
firsthand insight into their daily lives, the skills they’ve had
to develop, and how they landed their jobs. Expert columnists offer
advice on finding a job and finishing your Ph.D. And Next Wave’s
writers and editors bring you the latest news on factors affecting
the science job market.
Although many of the concerns of today’s early career scientists
are surprisingly universal, developing this concept for the whole
of Europe presents some particular challenges, says Next Wave’s
European Editor Kirstie Urquhart. “Because of their different systems
and situations, scientists in different countries and regions have
their own issues to face,” she explains, “and we’re anxious to address
those. That is why I am keen that Europe’s researchers should not
merely use Next Wave Europe as an information resource, but should
contribute to it as well. I want to hear from scientists about the
good, the bad and the ugly of their career adventures, and if they’re
willing to write about it for us so that others can learn from their
experiences, I’ll be delighted!”
ESF is in close collaboration with Next Wave on improving this
service for the European scientists. Any suggestions are welcome
and can be sent to jdegett@esf.org.
Another parallel initiative is the European Mobility Portal organized
by the European Commission. This portal will cover all the official
information on study grants and international research positions
in European Countries. It will also give the official rules for
cross-boarder changes of jobs, pension scheme, tax rules etc, and
there will be links to national centers for advice on studies and
research positions in Europe. ESF is collaborating with the European
Commission on organizing a meeting with representatives from the
ESF member organizations for further elaboration of the content
of this website. The new EU mobility portal is expected to be available
on-line from the middle of 2003.
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