As part of the SSBB Career Development Program, Saha (DC4) and Ana (DC6) recently spent an inspiring week at the Research and Development Office (RDO) of Erasmus MC in Rotterdam.
The visit offered a behind-the-scenes look at how research projects are supported and managed within a large academic medical center. During the week, they joined the RDO team meetings and training sessions, learning about the many different roles within research project management and how these professionals help move science forward.
One of the highlights was meeting project managers working across research institutes and biotech companies, giving them a broader view of career paths beyond the lab and other opportunities in the field.
Their program also included sessions with EU and international grant advisors, as well as legal counsel for research grants, who walked them through major European and national funding schemes and explained how they support researchers throughout the grant process.
Overall, the week was a refreshing change of environment for both fellows, a chance to step away from their usual research routines and gain insight into wider career pathways after the PhD.
