Early-Career Researchers Invited to Participate in Survey on Career Development Opportunities and Challenges
November 12, 2025
To gain insight into the experiences, needs, and challenges faced by early-career researchers in their career development, a survey of doctoral students and early-stage researchers is being conducted within the framework of the NextTechTalents project. The main objective of the Europe-wide NextTechTalents project is to support the development of early-career researchers’ competencies, including technology-related skills, to improve training systems, and to promote the development of research careers.
The project implementers invite doctoral students and early-career researchers whose research is directly or indirectly related to technology to dedicate approximately 15 minutes to completing the survey, sharing their experiences and perspectives on career development. By doing so, participants will contribute to the implementation of evidence-based solutions and to strengthening the European research environment.
During the research phase of the project, in-depth interviews with early-career researchers and relevant stakeholders are also being conducted, alongside an analysis of national regulatory frameworks and the collection of good practice examples. The data obtained will be used during the project’s implementation to improve career support systems in research institutions and to facilitate researchers’ more successful integration into the labour market.
The survey results will help identify which new training models, mentoring programmes, and other support mechanisms are needed to enhance researchers’ skills and improve their employability. The anonymised data will also be used in future research to promote the development of evidence-based policies and practices in the field of research career support.
The survey can be completed here:
https://ec.europa.eu/eusurvey/runner/NextTechTalents_ECR_Survey
The project is being implemented under the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme for the period from 1 June 2025 to 30 September 2027. Its total budget amounts to EUR 1,286,375.00, of which EUR 168,750.00 is allocated to the fulfilment of the project tasks assigned to Ventspils University of Applied Sciences. The project is coordinated by the non-profit research organisation MINDS & SPARKS GmbH, based in Vienna, Austria. Project partners include Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca (Romania); Ventspils University of Applied Sciences (Latvia); Jožef Stefan Institute in Ljubljana (Slovenia); Munster Technological University in Cork (Ireland); Impact Hub Liepāja in Liepāja (Latvia); Cluj IT Cluster in Cluj-Napoca (Romania); and Digital Innovation Hub Slovenia in Ljubljana (Slovenia).
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On 9 December, a meeting with representatives of Latvia’s space sector was held at the Saeima, focusing on the establishment of a unified approach to the governance and development of the space sector in Latvia. The event was attended by Mārcis Donerblics, Head of the Ventspils International Radio Astronomy Centre; Andris Vaivads, Rector of Ventspils University of Applied Sciences; and Jānis Šate, Head of the “Electrical Engineering” study programme. The meeting was initiated by Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņa, bringing together representatives of industry organisations, entrepreneurs, education and research institutions, along with officials from public administration bodies. The purpose of the discussion was to highlight the need for a clear and coordinated governance model that would advance the sustainable development of Latvia’s space sector, strengthen inter-institutional cooperation, and assure unified representation of national interests at the international level. The meeting highlighted the role of the space sector in driving innovation, strengthening the high-tech ecosystem, and enhancing Latvia’s competitiveness. Representatives of the Latvian Space Industry Association, space sector entrepreneurs, experts from academic institutions, as well as officials from various ministries and state institutions. Participants highlighted that a unified governance approach is an essential requirement for Latvian organisations to actively participate in European Union space programmes and international cooperation projects, including collaboration with the European Space Agency. The meeting also addressed topics related to enhancing public-private sector cooperation, opportunities for attracting funding, and the importance of maintaining dialogue on the long-term development of space policy in Latvia. Participants recognised the significance of ongoing collaboration and emphasised the necessity of regular communication between policymakers and industry representatives. The meeting at the Saeima marks an important milestone toward a better-coordinated and goal-oriented Latvia’s space sector, promoting a unified vision and strengthening Latvia’s position within the European and international space community.
On December 10, at the Ventspils University of Applied Sciences Library, students and other participants with a German language knowledge had the opportunity to be a part of a German language workshop on Christmas-themed topics titled “Modernes Deutschlandbild mit Fokus – Weihnachten” and conducted by Goethe-Institut volunteer Jūlija Novodvorska ( Julia Nowodworska ). During the workshop, participants were able to introduce themselves and engage in a range of activities, including creative tasks such as making origami candle holders, singing Christmas songs in German, and enjoying traditional Christmas treats and tea. As a gift from Ventspils German Culture Society, workshop participants received the new bilingual calendar for 2026, “L ebendige Gutshöfe – gestern und heute | Manor Houses – Yesterday and Today,” which has been prepared by the Ventspils German Cultural Society for the fifth year in a row. Students from Ventspils Technical School also participated in the workshop together with their German language teacher, Žanna Blaževica. The event was an excellent opportunity to put the German language knowledge acquired during the lessons into practice. Sincere thanks to Julia for leading the workshop! The workshop was organised in cooperation with the Goethe-Institut in Riga, the Chair of the Ventspils German Cultural Society, Māra Kraule, and VUAS FoTS lecturer Silga Sviķe.
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