Managing Scientific Talent

This podcast interview features Barbara Janssens, head of the career office at the German Cancer Research Center, discussing her transition from molecular biology to professional career advisory. Alongside Laurence Theunis and host Pedro from Chaperone, the conversation explores the evolution of support systems for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers over the last fifteen years. Janssens details her journey through scientific publishing and her eventual focus on alumni relations and peer coaching to assist scientists navigating non-academic transitions. The discussion highlights the critical role of active listening and institutional support in addressing the unique challenges faced by researchers, such as dual-career moves and long-term career stagnation. Ultimately, the episode emphasises the importance of mental health awareness and the necessity of proactive career planning to ensure sustainable professional development within the scientific community.

This podcast episode features a conversation between group leaders Pedro Moura Alves (i3S Group Leader/ERA Chair Holder) and Isabelle Kohler (CEO NextMinds/VUA Assistant Professor), who discuss the human side of scientific career development. Pedro shares his non-linear professional journey, emphasizing that perceived failures, such as leaving a prestigious position at Harvard for mental health reasons, are actually valuable learning experiences. The speakers stress that finding the right mentor and lab environment is more critical than the reputation of an institution alone. They advocate for proactive communication between students and supervisors to prevent burnout and ensure career goals are aligned. Ultimately, the source encourages researchers to know themselves, embrace career changes, and reach out to others for guidance and support.

This episode features Robert Koetter, a former academic researcher turned entrepreneur who co-founded 21 Skills to provide career development for scientists. Koetter discusses the necessity of bridging the gap between traditional academic ideals and the practical demands of the modern job market. The conversation highlights the role of digital tools and AI in democratising access to essential soft skills like leadership and communication for researchers globally. Koetter advocates for a diverse, impact-oriented approach to science, encouraging academics to embrace ambiguity and professionalize research management. Ultimately, the source emphasises that empowering scientific talent with non-academic competencies is crucial for solving complex global challenges.

In this episode, Chaperone host Pedro Resende speaks with Elena Hoffer, co-founder of Alma.me, about her transition from a PhD in immunology at the Karolinska Institute to entrepreneurship focused on supporting researchers’ careers.
Elena explains that many PhDs struggle not because they lack skills, but because they fail to reframe their expertise in a way that resonates with non-academic employers. She illustrates this with a striking example where simply reframing a CV transformed hundreds of rejections into frequent interview invitations. A central theme of the episode is proactivity, identified as the key mindset for successful career transitions, alongside communication, particularly the ability to influence and persuade.
Elena closes by recommending How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie and inviting listeners to connect with her on LinkedIn, reinforcing the message that a PhD is a powerful asset - when it is translated and positioned effectively for the wider job market.
A must-listen for PhDs, postdocs, and institutions committed to better scientific career development.

Scientist-turned-coach Dr. Hannah Roberts joins host Catarina Seabra from Chaperone, to explore what it really means to build an intentional career in science.
From breaking the “Superhuman” cycle to navigating today’s tight academic job market, Hannah shares practical strategies for aligning your career with your values and making confident, proactive decisions in a changing scientific landscape.