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EURAXESS Smart Talks
EURAXESS Smart Talks
Author: ERA Talent Project funded by the European Commission
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© 2026 EURAXESS Smart Talks
Description
The EURAXESS Smart Talks podcast for talents is your personal guide to Research Careers, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commision. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
36 Episodes
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In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Daria Aksenova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Monika Golińska—a biochemist, cancer researcher, and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Fellow whose work bridges leading European institutions including the Medical University of Łódź and the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute. Dr. Golińska shares her journey from early student exchanges to leading a cutting‑edge project investigating the link between endometriosis and ovarian cancer through advance...
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Dr. Antonino (Nino) Puglisi — a Chartered Chemist, seasoned researcher, and European advisor at UK Research and Innovation. With more than 20 years of international experience across Italy, the UK, Austria, and Turkey, Nino shares a deeply personal and insightful journey of how research mobility shaped his scientific career, worldview, and professional identity. From postdoctoral adventures abroad to leading impactful projects on polym...
In this episode of Euraxess Smart Talks, we speak with Anne‑Marie Jeannet, Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Milan and Principal Investigator of the ERC Starting Grant project DESPO – Deindustrializing Societies and the Political Consequences. Anne‑Marie reflects on her journey into social science, her unconventional academic path from the humanities to quantitative sociology, and her experience applying for—and winning—an ERC Starting Grant. She shares candid insights int...
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Daria Aksjonova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Jennifer Kefauver, a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Postdoctoral Fellow whose career spans world‑class research centers in the US, Switzerland, and Spain. Jennifer shares her journey from earning her PhD at Scripps Research—studying mechanically activated ion channels in Nobel Prize–winning laboratories—through her interdisciplinary postdoctoral work in structural and membrane biology, to her curren...
Anthropologist and legal scholar Dr. Niklas Hultin (Associate Professor, George Mason University) joins EURAXESS Smart Talks to unpack what it really means to build a career at the intersection of anthropology, law, history, and international relations—with a focus on security practices in West Africa. We explore his transatlantic journey (Sweden ↔ United States), consulting and expert-witness work, and practical advice for early-stage researchers considering moves between the EU and the US. ...
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks we speak with a remarkable dual-career academic couple: Dr. Michael Levant, a physical chemistry and microfluidics researcher at TotalEnergies, and Prof. Jessica Cauchard, Full Professor for Embodied Intelligent Interaction at TU Wien and a pioneer in human-drone interaction. Together, they share their deeply personal and highly practical journey across countries, disciplines, and career systems. From navigating the “two-body problem” to balancing famil...
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Mary Kagendo Kobia, Senior Global Mobility Consultant at the University of Copenhagen. Mary shares her decade-long experience supporting international researchers and their families as they transition to life in Denmark. From practical relocation challenges to creating a sense of belonging, Mary explains why dual career services are essential for retention, well-being, and tapping into hidden talent pools. She also offers insights into...
In this inspiring episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Dr. Marina Joubert, a trailblazer in science communication from Stellenbosch University. With a rich background in food science, journalism, and agricultural sciences, Dr. Joubert shares her journey from the lab to the public sphere, advocating for evidence-based discourse and the democratization of science. We explore how scientists can better engage with society, build trust, and navigate the evolving landscape of science c...
Guest: Prof. Milan Zdravković — Associate Professor and leading Applied AI researcher at the University of Niš, Serbia; Coordinator of the Serbian EURAXESS Network; Leader of the Scientific Startup Entrepreneurship Hub in the EURAXESS Hub project. 📄 Episode Description In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Jovan Arandjelović welcome Prof. Milan Zdravković to discuss the EURAXESS Startup Hub, an initiative connecting researchers with opportunities in scientific ent...
In this episode, we sit down with Marco Antonio Stranisci, a postdoctoral researcher in Natural Language Processing at the University of Turin and founder of aequa-tech, an AI startup focused on social impact. Marco shares his journey from humanities to computer science, his activism against hate speech, and the creation of Debunker-Assistant, a tool designed to combat misinformation. We explore the ethical dimensions of AI, the challenges of launching a startup in a crowded tech landscape, a...
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Frank Danesy – a strategist, academic, and innovator whose career spans the armed forces, aerospace, academia, and entrepreneurship. With over two decades at the European Space Agency, Dr. Danesy shares insights on strategic intelligence, career mobility, and the evolving landscape of research leadership. From his early days in the military to co-founding Orbit8, a venture focused on career guidance, Dr. Danesy offers a unique perspective on navigating hi...
In this inspiring episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Darja Aksjonova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Artemis Kontou — a polymath whose career spans mechanical engineering, entrepreneurship, academia, and music. From her PhD in tribology at Imperial College London to co-founding a privacy-focused startup with over 1 million downloads, Artemis shares how she bridges the worlds of research and innovation. She opens up about her teaching philosophy, startup challenges, and the art of ...
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we explore the wealth of opportunities available to international researchers in Germany. Our expert guests provide first-hand insights into research mobility, academic support systems, and practical strategies for thriving in Germany’s research ecosystem. Guests: Vitaliy Bondarenko – Senior Scientific Officer, EURAXESS Germany Network Coordinator Imme Burkart-Jürgens – Head of the Welcome Centre, University of GreifswaldDiclehan Ulucan – Doctoral...
In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we dive into the fascinating world of scientific diplomacy with Dr. Marco Borra, an experienced scientist and diplomat. Dr. Borra shares his non-linear career journey, from his early days in marine biology and molecular research to his current role as Scientific Attaché at the Italian Embassy in Paris. We explore the intersection of science and policy, discussing how scientific diplomacy can bridge borders, foster international cooperation, and address...
"There is a lack of deep understanding of how science works, making it difficult for society to truly listen to the voice of science. Strengthening this understanding is crucial—and one way to do so is by encouraging more scientists to engage with science policy." We are honored to welcome Prof. Robbert Dijkgraaf, renowned physicist and former Minister of Science and Education in the Netherlands, for a thought-provoking discussion on the intersection of science and politics. This episode is p...
The need for skilled and professional research managers grows as research becomes more complex and competitive. These experts play a key role in supporting researchers—from identifying funding opportunities to navigating institutional processes to promoting research excellence. Join us to explore how the RM ROADMAP project is paving the way for broader recognition, professional development, and new careers in research management (ERA Action 17). In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks , we wi...
Many Horizon Europe funding schemes focus on career development for researchers, but institutional change is also in the spotlight. Whether you're: An early-career researcher seeking new opportunities, A research manager looking to stay ahead of the latest trends, A university representative exploring how EU initiatives impact HR strategies, or An industry leader wanting to understand the skills research managers need — this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks is for you! Join us as we ...
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are the European Union’s flagship funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training of researchers. MSCA support research excellence, mobility, and collaboration across borders, sectors, and disciplines. They offer funding for doctoral training, postdoctoral fellowships, staff exchanges, and co-funded programs, fostering career development at all stages. MSCA strengthens the European Research Area by promoting knowledge transfer and build...
Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) are the European Union’s flagship funding programme for doctoral education and postdoctoral training of researchers. MSCA support research excellence, mobility, and collaboration across borders, sectors, and disciplines. They offer funding for doctoral training, postdoctoral fellowships, staff exchanges, and co-funded programs, fostering career development at all stages. MSCA strengthens the European Research Area by promoting knowledge transfer and build...
In Part 2 of this two-part series “What Italian Industry Offers for Researchers”, we continue our exploration of how PhD holders can successfully transition from academia to corporate roles. We’ll hear from experts on what to expect when entering the private sector with a PhD, as well as dive into practical advice for the hiring process. Our guests this episode are Stefania Bertone and Roberta Constantini. Stefania is a former HR Business Partner and current Site Head at Merck Group, a ...



