MUNI PhD Career Days 2023

Masaryk University organized the second annual MUNI PhD Career Days from November 22–24, 2023. This event was a series of workshops, presentations, and discussions focused on the career development of PhD candidates and early-career researchers. The event took place at the Otevřená zahrada (Open Garden) in Brno and in the building on Komenského Square. Its main goal was to present a wide spectrum of career opportunities available after completing doctoral studies, not only within the academic environment.

The program, prepared by the RMU Research Department under the auspices of MUNI PhD Academia, was designed to complement traditional career fairs aimed at Bachelor's and Master's students. It offered a rich agenda, including a Job Fair where students could meet with potential employers, as well as a variety of accompanying workshops. Key topics included career planning in academia, obtaining international grants such as the MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowship, and ways to transform one's research into a business.

Participants particularly appreciated the practical benefit of the workshops. Martina Novotná from the Faculty of Social Studies stated that the workshop on MSCA grants "primarily provided a useful insight into the process of applying for this prestigious grant. The content was very beneficial precisely because we could look into the entire process beyond the publicly available information." Similar feelings were shared by a PhD student from the Faculty of Science, for whom the workshop "illuminated the basic principles of writing this project application," and who added: "The humanity with which the topic was presented and discussed was also important to me, as was knowing whom I can turn to if I have questions."

Jaroslav Sýkora from the MUNI Career Centre led the workshop "Making Career Planning Work," where self-determination theory was discussed. Ekaterina Volevach from the Faculty of Medicine commented: "For me, the interesting discovery was that I lack a sense of belonging to the scientific community, which is necessary to increase my work motivation."

In the workshop "From Researcher to Entrepreneur," led by Jiří Zhoř (South Moravian Innovation Centre) and Ondřej Woznica (MUNI Technology Transfer Office), participants discussed how to start their own business, either after or during their Ph.D. studies. The workshop gave Natálie Terčová from the Faculty of Social Studies "energy and enthusiasm, showing that my efforts have meaning. And also—that it's possible!" As she herself said, she learned "how many helping hands we have around us for starting a business."

The event confirmed that PhD candidates at Masaryk University value opportunities to network with colleagues from other fields. One participant summarized her impressions: "It is really very refreshing to talk to doctoral students from other faculties. It is interesting to observe how the study process differs across various fields, but our feelings are generally the same everywhere. From enthusiasm, through uncertainties, to fears." She added that thanks to the event, she realized "I am not alone in this," and even arranged to meet a few people for an informal free-time group.

In this way, Masaryk University is fulfilling its Strategic Plan 2021-2028, which commits to improving graduate employability and expanding their career opportunities.