One year ago I joined the CORE Innovative Training Network as an Early Stage Researcher. I am based in Magdeburg, in the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of complex Technical Systems but actually had the opportunity to work in France for two months, and several other similar opportunities will come soon. I am grateful to work in such a prestigious and stimulating environment, to give my small contribution to research exploiting innovative techniques and learning every day. This Training Network is composed by 15 Researchers coming from all over the world, and with different backgrounds. We are a strong team, united by a common goal. In essence we’re never alone in our research, everyone can count on each other for the most simple doubts and for the more specific ones there are expert supervisors.
1. Sponsorship
The Marie Curie projects widely finance the researchers in their job. This allows us to conduct high quality research, using excellent instruments and innovative techniques. The financial support also covers travels and organization of training events such as Summer Schools, Workshops and Meetings. A great investment in research that allow us to compete in a, nowadays increasingly competitive, scientific community.
2. Motivation
For an Early Stage Researcher in a Marie Curie Project, the commitments to make are many. The deadlines are frequent, the time is never enough, and your mailbox is every day full. At the same time you have to be productive with your work and if you undertake experimental work (as I do) this could become tough sometimes. BUT the motivation is always so high and with the right effort you can face every obstacle. As already mentioned, you’re never alone in a Marie Curie Project. Sharing so many experiences with your colleagues makes the group very united, a powerful driving force to overcome the most difficult moments.
3. Build your life
Looking to the future is not difficult in this project. The environment is so stimulating that you can mature your own ideas and why not put them in practice. With special Secondments in various Universities and in leading Industrial Companies in your research field, you have the opportunity to understand your attitudes and what you are most suited for, whether for an academic future or in a Company.
4. Growing as scientist and as person
In less than a year I have already visited 5 countries, met almost one hundred people in my research field and increased my knowledge of French, and English and started learning German. I have met people coming from all over the world, listened their stories, known their culture. I have learnt to communicate with them (not just talk), and many others lessons await me. Is there any training for life better than this?
Francesca Cascella
Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems
Otto -von- Guericke University Magdeburg, Germany
cascella@mpi-magdeburg.mpg.de
Francesca Cascella joined the CORE-ITN in May 2017. She graduated at University of Bari ”Aldo Moro”(Italy) in Chemistry. Now she works in the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics of Complex Technical Systems of Magdeburg (Germany) focusing on the Continuous Resolution of Enantiomers by Crystallization, under the supervision of Prof. Heike Lorenz and Prof. Andreas Seidel-Morgenstern.
https://www.coreitn.eu/ESR3_Francesca_Cascella.htm
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