Boost Your Research Career: A Guide to Growth
Whether you're just starting out or planning your next big step, EURAXESS is here to help you take charge of your research career. Explore practical tools, inspiring stories, and expert advice to navigate opportunities, develop new skills, and build a future that aligns with your goals.
From career planning to international mobility, find the support you need to move forward with confidence.
Career Tools & Resources
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The "No Limits" toolkit for researchers offers resources to help you:
- Identify what matters most for you in your career
- Plan to enhance your skills and knowledge
- Explore a variety of career options
- Build a plan to reach your professional goals
Uncover your needs, values and motivations and start planning your growth!
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A practical guide to help researchers plan their careers, explore opportunities and develop essential skills. Whether you're starting your PhD or navigating your next move, the handbook offers tools and advice for every step of your journey.
Learning & Inspiration
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EURAXESS Smart Talks is the network's podcast, offering a series of episodes focused on research career, innovation and entrepreneurship.
Get inspired from success stories, career advice and lively debates.
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One can never learn too much! EURAXESS offers a series of virtual seminars that follow the career path of a researcher.
The trainers are experienced researchers in the field and/or career advisors. They are all members of EURAXESS network and mentors in our EURAXESS Mentoring programme.
Trainers have provided their short bio and contacts to answer your questions, or comment on your exercises. Access for free and learn more about soft skills, project management and other competencies that can help you boost your research career.
Industry & Entrepreneurship
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This module is designed to help independent researchers explore work opportunities outside academia. Find out more about available careers in other sectors, get concrete guidance on the next steps and listen to motivating career stories.
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Take part in the Mentoring Programme "Shape the future of a researcher coming to Europe" to refine your professional and interpersonal skills by mentoring researchers coming from outside of the European Research Area. Find interesting, international networking opportunities while you support researchers’ integration in another country.
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You can find extensive support and information in the field of career development at any EURAXESS Career Development Centre in the location of your interest.
Publications, specialised events and a vibrant community will provide you with all the information you need.
Research profiles descriptors
Researchers across various professions can be broadly categorised based on their characteristics. Here you may find the descriptions of four broad profiles that apply to all researchers, independent of where they work in the private or public sector: in companies, NGOs, research institutes, research universities or universities of applied sciences.
Researchers doing research under supervision up to the point of a PhD or equivalent level of competence and experience.
Examples of R1 – First Stage Researchers based on the European Framework for Research Careers:
doctoral candidate
junior academic
junior research analyst
junior research analyst
junior research engineer
junior researcher/scientist
junior scientific officer
research apprentice/intern
Researchers with a PhD or equivalent level of competence and experience who have not yet established a significant level of independence in developing their own research, attracting funding, or leading a research group.
Examples of R2 – Recognised Researchers based on the European Framework for Research Careers:
junior academic
junior lecturer
junior research analyst
junior research engineer
junior researcher/scientist
junior scientific officer
postdoctoral researcher
Researchers with a PhD or equivalent level of competence and experience who are able to independently develop their own research, attract funding, and lead a research group.
Examples of R3 – Established Researchers based on the European Framework for Research Careers:
accredited researcher
assistant professor
associate professor
associate researcher
principal investigator
principal researcher/scientist
reader
research fellow
Researchers with a PhD or equivalent level of competence and experience who are recognised as leading their research field by their peers.
Examples of R4 – Leading Researchers based on the European Framework for Research Careers:
chief scientific officer
distinguished professor
full professor
principal investigator
principal researcher/scientist
reader
research fellow
research professor
research specialist
scientific councillor
senior academic
senior lecturer
senior research and development
associate senior research engineer
senior researcher/scientist
senior scientific officer
My EURAXESS
Ready to take your research career to the next level?
With My EURAXESS, you gain direct access to thousands of international job openings, funding opportunities and tailored collaboration that match your expertise.
Why register?
- It’s free, fast, and built for researchers and R&I professionals.
- Create a personal profile and showcase your unique skills.
- Get noticed by top research organisations across Europe and beyond.
- Receive job alerts and funding updates that match your interests.
Keeping your profile complete and up to date significantly increases your visibility and your chances of being discovered for exciting new opportunities.
Make your next career move with My EURAXESS