A Personal Experience

Top-notch research with high impact has in m ost of the cases an interdi sciplinar y character. The identification of the scientific problems and challenges are most-efficiently solved with novel diverse techniques and methodologies. Such identification of key scientific  challenges  and  how  to  tackle  the problem  at  hand  can  intensively  discussed either on international conferences or interactions with leading experts in the field of research.

While being a PhD student at Hamburg University of Technology (GER), I was extremely fortunate being part of a research project which involved top German, French, Russian and Australian scientists. As such, I was privileged to experience research diversity and its tremendous benefits at an early stage of my academic career. This experience was a key deciding factor for me to move overseas to continue postdoctoral studies with the expectation of increasing my “knowledge portfolio” and looking beyond the edge of the plate.

My motivation and vigor took me first to Imperial College London (UK), then, Swinburne University of Technology (AUS), and finally The University of Tokyo (JP) as a postdoctoral fellow. In each of these institutions I have experienced a rich and unique research environment which required a certain period of adaptation to the new working culture. Probably the most challenging part in working abroad is the need for quick assimilation. It is crucial since duration of research contracts at this stage of career are limited to a few years only and not much time can be spent for adjustment purposes, especially, if you are required to work on a particular funded project. I can claim with confidence that the JSPS experience at The University of Tokyo was probably the most exciting one for me personally, not only from a cultural-learning perspective and on-site expertise, but also in conducting most-efficient research. Indeed, the JSPS fellowship in an amazing scheme, which allows researchers to be independent and pursue their own goals as well as to follow their research interests while being inspired by the research activities in the host group. It is a program which I have been and will be always recommending for promising PhD students. Overall, these experiences were positive drivers and paved the way for my future research directions and planning.

In addition to this, as a faculty member communication becomes extremely relevant, particularly, regarding undertaking administrative tasks which consist of being part of committees, leading particular university initiatives, curriculum planning, managing finances etc. This can take a substantial portion of time while interactions and communication should be adapted to suit the local practice. In both at Aalto University (FIN) and The University of Sydney (AUS), I found that to be productive in research and deliver excellent teaching, it is important to be very effective with admin duties. It is an unfortunate fact that substantial cuts have been applied to admin staff over the last decades at most of the Anglo-Saxon universities and academics are facing increasing substantial admin loads beyond the general rule of 40% teaching – 40% research – 20% admin load breakdown. The other major challenge a faculty staff may face overseas is being successful in securing grants. Especially, if the research proposals are reviewed by local and national peers, who generally are not fully aware of your research activities. It is therefore crucial to reach out as well as to introduce yourself to the community and groups working in your field of research by for instance holding seminars or inviting colleagues to initiate discussion s and poten tial collaborations.

While overseas research experience is extremely beneficial for career developments, this came also with a lot of sacrifices and challenges. Not being around family and close friends, not to mention settling (with family) in a new environment, which takes months if not years, is not easy and not everyone’ s “cup of tea” . That said, “the stronger the wind, the stronger the trees” and I am also a strong believer in “fortunate favours the bold” .

With that, happy research travels!!