We are excited to announce the first call of the ADVANCE Fellows, a mentoring programme aimed at providing support and guidance for researchers in Luxembourg.
ADVANCE is deeply rooted in the best practices in mentoring across Europe. It takes a person-centered approach that recognises the value of the individual’s potential and encourages positive relationships, and personal growth. In particular, the fellows’ strand – ADVANCE Fellows – seeks to support and guide early-career researchers in advancing in their careers. ADVANCE will connect fellows with experienced mentors in Luxembourg, aiming to inspire and empower them to reach their goals.
The first call ADVANCE Fellows targets women working in a participating research institution in Luxembourg1. This focus derives from the evident gender imbalance among the academic staff in Luxembourg2. Mentoring is a proven instrument to promote talented women throughout their academic path, hence fostering an inclusive and equitable academic environment.
There are up to 20 positions available, for motivated applicants. The programme has a duration of 6 months (January-July 2024), in which participants will have the opportunity to:
- Engage in One-on-One Mentorship Conversation: Each selected participant will be paired with a mentor, creating a personalised and tailored mentoring experience. Mentors will provide guidance, share their experiences, and offer advice on various aspects of an academic career, including research, publishing, networking, and career development.
- Connect with other researchers: The programme will facilitate networking events to connect participants and foster a community.
- Develop key skills to prepare them for the next career steps: In addition to the mentorship and networking components, the programme will offer skill development workshops, such as leadership and narrative writing.
Important dates
26 January 2024: Orientation workshop and matching event online (9.00-12.00 and 13.00-14.30)
7 February 2024: Kickoff event (all-day event)
25-26 April 2024: Leadership workshop
5 June 2024: Closing event (all-day event)
Eligibility Criteria
- Postdoctoral fellows, senior doctoral candidates, or other researchers in equivalent positions (R2 career stage profiles). This call particularly encourages applications from women researchers.
- Currently engaged in research activities in one of the participating institutions 1 (valid work contract for the duration of the programme, i.e., July 2024).
- Evidenced dedication to academic excellence, along with a profound drive for continuous learning, personal growth, and professional development.
- Commit to participate in the scheduled activities.
Application Process
To apply for the Mentoring Programme, please submit the following documents:
- A statement of interest (maximum 2 pages) explaining your motivation to participate in the programme and your expectations from the mentoring experience. The statement should also describe your career development plans.
- Letter of support from your supervisor.
- Completed online application form (Name, institution, position, languages, potential mentors).
Application deadline: 30 November 2023
For more information please visit
We encourage you to seize this opportunity to gain valuable insights, guidance, and support from experienced mentors who are committed to empowering women in academia. Together, we can build a vibrant community of successful women researchers and contribute to the advancement of women.
If you have any questions or require further information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at ines.crisostomo@uni.lu.
We look forward to receiving your applications and embarking on this enriching mentoring journey together!
Sincerely,
ADVANCE Mentoring Programme
1 Participating institutions: University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg Institute of Socio-Economic Research (LISER), and Luxembourg Institute of Health (LIH).
2 SHE Figures 2021 https://ec.europa.eu/research-and-innovation/en/knowledge-publications-tools-and-data/interactive-reports/she-figures-2021