Postdoctoral Hub – Charles University | Charleston (MSCA COFUND)

This episode is part of the Charles University's Charleston programme, co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, and was recorded at the Hyb4City.

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#10 Cristina Balaban

🎧 Listen to the full episode:

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Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/1...

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How does academic life in the UK compare with that in Czechia, and what can early-career researchers take away from both? And how can personal experiences and mentoring shape the journey of a postdoctoral researcher?

New episode of the Postdoctoral Podcast with Cristina Balaban is out! 🎙️

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🔹 March Training for Postdocs

Registration and more details: cuni.cz/UKEN-1512.html

This project is co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project.

📌 March 2026: Postdoctoral Hub News & Events at @charlesuni.cuni.cz

🔹 Call for Applicants – CHARLESTON Programme (MSCA COFUND)

Postdoctoral researchers can apply by 1 June 2026!

👉 More information and application details: cuni.cz/UKEN-2187.html

@charlesuni.cuni.cz is opening applications for postdoctoral fellowships within the Charleston programme, co-funded by the MSCA COFUND initiative (Horizon Europe)!

📅 Application deadline: 1 June 2026, 2 PM (CET)

📌 For full details, please visit the programme's website: cuni.cz/UKEN-2187.html

🌱 Spring Training Offer for Postdoctoral Researchers at @charlesuni.cuni.cz

More details and the full programme on our website ➡️https://cuni.cz/UKEN-2349.html

This project is co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project.

🌍 We are pleased to invite early-career researchers to the upcoming Welcome Day at @charlesuni.cuni.cz.

👉 More information and registration: lnkd.in/duhfz7tU

🔹Elon Musk: A Different Conversation w/ Nikhil Kamath

"Loved this podcast! Mind-opening on the future of work—where work could become optional & creativity the real currency."

🔹Temperature Effect Analysis of PVDF-Based Piezoelectric Energy Harvester – Chandana Ravikumar, et al. (2025)

"My own work! Combines materials science, mechanical engineering & electronics to model and optimize energy harvesting. A glimpse into my PhD and interdisciplinary approach."

💡Chandana's recent picks:

🔹Becoming Transdisciplinary – Tanya Augsburg (2014)

"Recommended to me recently—loved it! Perfect for anyone building a career across disciplines, highlighting creativity and humble bridge-building."

Chandana is an MSCA-CZ OPJAK postdoctoral researcher at the Department of Physics of Materials, Faculty of Mathematics and Physics, Charles University, bridging electrical engineering and materials science through finite-element modelling and thermodynamic simulations.

📖 As we wrap up 2025, we continue our series In the Postdoc’s Library, where postdoctoral researchers at @charlesuni.cuni.cz share what has recently inspired or engaged them – from books and articles to podcasts.

For December, Chandana Ravikumar offers her picks.

And stay tuned! We are already preparing the next series for spring 2026, combining established workshops with new topics. 🚀

This project is co-funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project.

Autumn Training Series by the Postdoctoral Hub: 10 Workshops for Developing Key Skills This autumn, the Postdoctoral Hub once again offered early-career researchers a series of training workshops.

Thank you to all lecturers, participants, and to Kampus Hybernská for providing space and support. ✨

🔗 Want to learn more about our autumn training series? Further details are available in the article on our website: cuni.cz/UKEN-2461.html

This autumn, we offered another series of workshops supporting early-career researchers in developing key competencies defined by the European Competence Framework for Researchers. A total of 89 participants from across the university joined sessions focused on research-relevant skills. 👩🏻‍🔬

This episode is part of the @charlesuni.cuni.cz CHARLESTON programme, co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme, and was recorded at the Hyb4City (Kampus Hybernská) podcast studio.

🎧 Listen to the full episode:
Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1lLV...
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/9...

But beyond research, Sarah is also a talented illustrator. 🎨 She shares her artwork on Instagram ⁠@o.is.for.orange⁠ and even created a ⁠beautiful illustration⁠ specifically for this episode of the Postdoctoral Podcast.

🎙️ New episode of the Postdoctoral Podcast

How to navigate the transition from a PhD to a postdoctoral position? And what impact can research on children’s literature have on society? We speak with Sarah Caré about her path, research on children’s literature, and her work within the WONDRE project⁠.

Training organised by Postdoctoral Hub

🔹 Autumn Training for Early-Career Researchers
Our autumn training series is coming to an end. In December, we are offering the last two workshops of the season: Open Access: Know What You Sign! and Supervising Graduate and Postgraduate Research Projects.
👉 Secure your spot: cuni.cz/UKEN-2349.html

Call for Mentees

🔹 Call for Mentees – Deadline Approaching
The call for mentees for the Charles University Mentoring Program is closing soon. Early-career researchers (PhD holders) who wish to join the next cycle can apply until 10 December 2025.
👉 More information and application details: cuni.cz/UKEN-2151.html

📌 December 2025: Postdoctoral Hub News & Events at Charles University

This project is co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project.

Training organised by Postdoctoral Hub

🔹 Autumn Training for Early-Career Researchers Continues
Our autumn training series for early-career researchers (assistant professors, postdocs etc.) continues. Join upcoming workshops to develop new skills and connect across disciplines.

👉 Full schedule and registration: cuni.cz/UKEN-2349.html

Call for Mentees

🔹 Call for Mentees (PhD holders) – Mentoring Program Open!

🗓️ Apply by 10 December 2025
👉 More information and application details: cuni.cz/UKEN-2151.html

📌 November 2025: Postdoctoral Hub News & Events at Charles University

This project is co-funded by the European Union under the Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project.

🚀 Join us on 21 Nov, 11:00–12:00 CET for an online event introducing this Europe-wide network for researcher development.

✅ Learn how to join
✅ Explore tools and resources
✅ Connect with peers across sectors

Registration 👉 forms.office.com/e/Wiy0YVG4Ln

More about Cross: cross.vscht.cz

This project is co-funded by the European Union under Horizon Europe research and innovation programme. Any related posts reflect only the views of the project.

🤝 Choose from 59 mentors across various scientific disciplines –⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ professionals from academia as well as the private and public sectors. If you plan to continue in academia, you may select senior scientists from Charles University, other Czech institutions, or prestigious foreign universities.