Periodic Reporting for period 2 - NaMeS (“Interdisciplinary NAnoscience School: from phenoMEnology to applicationS”)
Reporting period: 2018-11-01 to 2022-01-31
The overall objective of the NaMeS project was to create a new generation of scientists capable of working in both scientific and business sectors and becoming stimulants and intermediaries of knowledge & technology transfer on an international level. The project aimed to provide an international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary doctoral programme for Early Stage Researchers (ESRs) in the research field combining chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology and material science.
Under the NaMeS project, we recruited 22 excellent, well-motivated ESRs who joined a research training programme, designed to provide them with the phenomenological knowledge concerning nanoscale processes to the creation of new materials applicable in the fields of industrial technology, medical diagnostics, and environmental protection. In the framework of the NaMeS programme, the ESRs conducted individual PhD research projects, which led them to the preparation of the PhD thesis and, in many cases, to the award of a doctoral degree. The essence of the projects was embedded in the state of art of modern basic research, but it also reached beyond the academic sector, creating good prospects for the commercialisation of the research results. To ensure high scientific quality as well as interdisciplinary and international dimension of the programme, every PhD student was supervised by highly qualified, experienced scientists, both: from the IChF and from a foreign research institution. Moreover, the NaMeS project envisaged the secondment of the NaMeS fellows to foreign partner institutions to gain new knowledge, skills, contacts, and experience of working in an international environment, hence providing ESRs with good background and prospects for a fruitful career in academia and beyond.
Under the NaMeS project, we recruited 22 excellent, well-motivated ESRs who joined a research training programme, designed to provide them with the phenomenological knowledge concerning nanoscale processes to the creation of new materials applicable in the fields of industrial technology, medical diagnostics, and environmental protection. In the framework of the NaMeS programme, the ESRs conducted individual PhD research projects, which led them to the preparation of the PhD thesis and, in many cases, to the award of a doctoral degree. The essence of the projects was embedded in the state of art of modern basic research, but it also reached beyond the academic sector, creating good prospects for the commercialisation of the research results. To ensure high scientific quality as well as interdisciplinary and international dimension of the programme, every PhD student was supervised by highly qualified, experienced scientists, both: from the IChF and from a foreign research institution. Moreover, the NaMeS project envisaged the secondment of the NaMeS fellows to foreign partner institutions to gain new knowledge, skills, contacts, and experience of working in an international environment, hence providing ESRs with good background and prospects for a fruitful career in academia and beyond.
Under the NaMeS project, the Institute of Physical Chemistry, the Polish Academy of Sciences (IChF) offered 22 fellowships to Early Stage Researchers. The fellows conducted individual research projects while attending a training programme that aimed to support planning and the development of their careers in the academic and/or industrial sectors. The candidates for the NaMeS project were selected based on open, transparent and merit-based recruitment (OTM-R) principles. NaMeS fellows received dedicated support, i.a.:
• supervision by at least two mentors: one from IChF and one from a foreign partner institution;
• mentoring, including support in the preparation of the Career Development Plan;
• access to a scientific-educational programme combining theory & experiment (including lectures on basic physical chemistry and specialised scientific courses);
• auxiliary training focused on transferable skills development (e.g. IPR, career planning, scientific writing, communication and presentation skills);
• secondment option to the excellent research organisations outside of Poland;
• day-to-day support and advice from the IChF administration units regarding living and working in Poland (including visa & housing arrangements).
The implementation of the comprehensive research training programme led to achieving the following results:
• 22 research projects accomplished in Poland and abroad in collaboration with outstanding research institutions;
• 22 Career Development Plans drafting future careers of junior researchers;
• 10 doctoral theses defended (4 of them – with honours, which gives them an excellent opportunity to continue their career at postdoctoral positions in renowned international research institutions in Poland and abroad);
• 72 articles published in reputable journals (all open access) and deposited in open repositories;
• 4 patent applications.
The NaMeS programme and its results were widely disseminated, targeting professionals and the general public. ESRs took part in numerous international conferences and networking events, which allowed for comprehensive promotion and dissemination of the NaMeS programme globally. Besides, the Project-Support-Office regularly updated the project website (www.names.edu.pl) with information on the project activities and events (such as ESRs’ participation in conferences, laboratory visits, etc.), description of individual projects and their results (publications, patents and others - e.g. fellow becoming the ambassador of the “MyJobinResearch” campaign, organised by the Research Executive Agency (REA)).
• supervision by at least two mentors: one from IChF and one from a foreign partner institution;
• mentoring, including support in the preparation of the Career Development Plan;
• access to a scientific-educational programme combining theory & experiment (including lectures on basic physical chemistry and specialised scientific courses);
• auxiliary training focused on transferable skills development (e.g. IPR, career planning, scientific writing, communication and presentation skills);
• secondment option to the excellent research organisations outside of Poland;
• day-to-day support and advice from the IChF administration units regarding living and working in Poland (including visa & housing arrangements).
The implementation of the comprehensive research training programme led to achieving the following results:
• 22 research projects accomplished in Poland and abroad in collaboration with outstanding research institutions;
• 22 Career Development Plans drafting future careers of junior researchers;
• 10 doctoral theses defended (4 of them – with honours, which gives them an excellent opportunity to continue their career at postdoctoral positions in renowned international research institutions in Poland and abroad);
• 72 articles published in reputable journals (all open access) and deposited in open repositories;
• 4 patent applications.
The NaMeS programme and its results were widely disseminated, targeting professionals and the general public. ESRs took part in numerous international conferences and networking events, which allowed for comprehensive promotion and dissemination of the NaMeS programme globally. Besides, the Project-Support-Office regularly updated the project website (www.names.edu.pl) with information on the project activities and events (such as ESRs’ participation in conferences, laboratory visits, etc.), description of individual projects and their results (publications, patents and others - e.g. fellow becoming the ambassador of the “MyJobinResearch” campaign, organised by the Research Executive Agency (REA)).
Progress beyond the state of the art, expected results until the end of the project and potential impacts (including the socio-economic impact and the wider societal implications of the project so far)
The overall objective of the NaMeS project is to foster a new generation of scientists to become independent scientists, able to work in both - business and academia. The Institute of Physical Chemistry, the Polish Academy of Sciences (IChF) recruited and enrolled 22 ESRs to join the research training programme offered under the NaMeS project. Project activities influenced the development of science beyond the state of the art, innovation, economy, and international cooperation in science and technology in many ways.
First of all, the employment of 22 ambitious, outstanding young scientists significantly increased the research potential of IChF and contributed to strengthening the innovative potential of the regional and national economy. Moreover, every PhD student under the NaMeS programme was supervised by a highly qualified IChF scientist and co-supervised by an excellent scientist from an adequate foreign research institution. Implementation of joint research projects envisaging cooperation with foreign research institutions supported peers networking, particularly in the European Research Area.
All 22 research projects implemented as part of the NaMeS programme were embedded in modern sciences, combining chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and materials science. These projects go beyond the academic sector to develop innovative technologies and solutions vital for contemporary economics and addressing social challenges. Replacing conventional energy sources with renewable, health-friendly sources and improving the health of society through research in the field of pharmacology, medicine, and biomedical engineering are among research topics. Hence, they have good prospects for commercialisation and, as a result, will have a significant impact on the development of innovative technologies.
The overall objective of the NaMeS project is to foster a new generation of scientists to become independent scientists, able to work in both - business and academia. The Institute of Physical Chemistry, the Polish Academy of Sciences (IChF) recruited and enrolled 22 ESRs to join the research training programme offered under the NaMeS project. Project activities influenced the development of science beyond the state of the art, innovation, economy, and international cooperation in science and technology in many ways.
First of all, the employment of 22 ambitious, outstanding young scientists significantly increased the research potential of IChF and contributed to strengthening the innovative potential of the regional and national economy. Moreover, every PhD student under the NaMeS programme was supervised by a highly qualified IChF scientist and co-supervised by an excellent scientist from an adequate foreign research institution. Implementation of joint research projects envisaging cooperation with foreign research institutions supported peers networking, particularly in the European Research Area.
All 22 research projects implemented as part of the NaMeS programme were embedded in modern sciences, combining chemistry, physics, mathematics, biology, and materials science. These projects go beyond the academic sector to develop innovative technologies and solutions vital for contemporary economics and addressing social challenges. Replacing conventional energy sources with renewable, health-friendly sources and improving the health of society through research in the field of pharmacology, medicine, and biomedical engineering are among research topics. Hence, they have good prospects for commercialisation and, as a result, will have a significant impact on the development of innovative technologies.