Doing a postdoc
The number of doctorates awarded in Switzerland has increased considerably in recent years. While a doctorate is the first step towards an academic career, only a small number of doctorates go on to pursue a career in academia.
The question of the post-doctorate period is therefore an important one when considering a thesis. Numerous studies and reports on the post-doctorate period, the next generation of academics and the future of doctoral students address this issue.
Many university programmes have been set up to support the next generation of academics. At the University of Geneva, various departments offer workshops, programmes and advice to young researchers. The faculties also provide support for doctoral and post-doctoral students as they pursue their careers. Finally, the various associations for doctoral and post-doctoral students are also important forums for exchange.
The "portail de la relève académique" is a joint initiative of several Swiss universities aimed at providing doctoral students with advice, reference points and resources to help them successfully complete the various stages of their thesis. The portal offers a wealth of information for those who are considering embarking on the doctoral adventure but have not yet made up their minds.
MENTORING
Mentoring programme for young researchers at the University of Geneva
The Mentoring programme relève de l'Université de Genève (Mentoring the next generation of female researchers) programme offers around ten up-and-coming female researchers advice and support to help them consolidate their scientific record, gain a better understanding of how the academy works, progress and integrate into the university community.
Mentoring network for women in French-speaking Switzerland
The Réseau romand de mentoring pour les femmes is aimed at up-and-coming female researchers. The programme is organised in cooperation with the equality offices of the Universities of Fribourg, Geneva, Lausanne and Neuchâtel and the EPFL.
Mentoring links a person with experience in a particular field (a mentor) with someone who wants to get involved in that field (a mentee). In this one-to-one mentoring exchange, the mentor provides the mentee with references, strategies and useful information about the formal and informal rules that govern an academic career.
The mentoring programme is aimed at advanced doctoral students, post-doctoral students and researchers just before the transition to the professoriate.