The human side of research (PhD seminar summer special!)

Wednesday 5 Jul 2023, 09:00 → 21:30 Europe/Rome

Aula Cabibbo (Sapienza University, Fermi Building)

Your PhD Seminar team, in collaboration with the INFN@YOUNG committee, has organised a final summer event with a full day dedicated to human resource management in academia and industry, followed by an evening of food and fun!

Our speakers will be Richard Zeltner, Alexander Jantzen and Maria Rosaria Masullo. 

Richard Zeltner works at Menlo Systems GmbH, supplier and developer of laser systems for quantum technologies. He will talk about the transitional skills needed during passage from academia to industry. 

After his PhD, Alexander Jantzen founded a start-up Aquark Technologies which provides solutions for quantum technology applications. His talk will shed light on the differences and similarities between startups and accademia. 

Last but not least, Maria Rosaria Masullo is a senior researcher at INFN in Naples, working on accelerator physics. She is also involved in many programs which aim to improve the gender balance in STEM. She will talk to us about work/life balance, also from a gender point of view. 

After the event, you're all invited to join us for a social dinner in a location picked by our food expert Elena, so it's certain to be good!

Zoom link: 

https://uniroma1.zoom.us/j/88384154993?pwd=ckZTZ2Jncm8xZ0RpQndxK2tORlVpdz09

Please note: in Italy it is no longer mandatory to wear a mask, but if you feel more confortable you can wear it.

Arrival and welcome

1 From accademia to industry: How to find a fitting spot

A vast majority of STEM-graduates does not pursue an academic career, but eventually takes up a position in the private sector. Unfortunately, though, the academic curriculum does provide only little preparation for career paths outside academia. At the same time, graduates frequently have only little insight into the cunorpia of career trajectories that are available to them, leading to a lack of clarity and navigation regarding next career steps. This talk will discuss why STEM-graduates are highly demanded in the photonics industry, what career options are available to them and how to identify career trajectories that fit to them. The presentation is not meant to answer questions, but to encourage the audience to ask themselves the right questions when transitioning into a new career path.

Speaker: Richard Zeltner

2023_0703_Richard_Zeltner_Transition into Industry_finding_your_spot.pptx

Coffe break

2 How to start a startup

In today's ever-evolving technological landscape, starting a start-up has become an enticing and viable path for individuals with innovative ideas. This talk aims to provide curious minds with practical insights on transforming ideas into successful ventures. The talk will explore the defining characteristics of start-ups and how they differ from traditional businesses. Evaluating the viability of your idea is crucial, and we will discuss effective methods for assessing its potential and feasibility. Building a strong network of mentors, advisors, and potential partners is essential, and the talk will emphasize the importance of collaboration and seeking guidance from industry experts. From developing a robust business plan to securing funding and launching a minimal viable product (MVP), we will outline the practical steps involved in starting a start-up. Join us to gain valuable insights and actionable advice, whether you're a technology enthusiast, aspiring innovator, or simply curious about the world of start-ups or how it could be applied to your current research.
Key questions:
What distinguishes start-up from traditional business?
How can I evaluate the potential of my idea?
Who should I engage with for guidance and support?
What are the initial steps to launch a start-up?

Speaker: Alexander Jantzen (Aquark Technologies)

Starting a startup.pptx

Lunch

3 Inclusive leadership: a gender perspective

Why does diversity matter? Awareness on gender issues means realising that different people have different needs, capacities and priorities, and that political and managerial choices inside a system have different impacts on different gender groups.
The integration of a transformative approach to gender has been shown to benefit both organisations and the people working in them.
Working on an inclusive leadership, especially by virtue of the inclusion of more women and younger generations, means considering needs and procedures that may not belong to us, but give a different value to the management of time, private and professional, to the balance between work and private life, to the value of care, both as an institutional practice in academia and research, and in society. It is not easy, but it can be done.

Speaker: Maria Rosaria Masullo (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare)

PHD-seminar-Masullo.pptx

Panel session

Conveners: Alexander Jantzen, Maria Rosaria Masullo (Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare), Richard Zeltner

Coffe break

Social event: Social game: Scavenger hunt

Social dinner

The cost would be approximately between 25 and 30 euros per partecipant