Scientific Career Path training and career information

What does the Scientific Career Path entail?

The SCP focuses on academic development up to professor with a research profile. With specialized tracks for reaching a research group leader or an academic staff position.

• What

  The SCP supports researchers at all career stages: from PhD candidates and postdocs, to senior researchers and professors. It is open for internal and external candidates, and designed to offer clear and supportive development pathways that align with the principles of the national Recognition & Rewards initiative.

  By doing so, we provide researchers and their supervisors with clarity about career expectations, evaluation criteria, and the support available. Importantly, the SCP also offers timely transparency for those who may not continue toward tenured research positions, helping them make informed career decisions.

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  Distinct directions

  To support and clarify career progression beyond the postdoctoral phase, the Scientific Career Path was developed. This path offers two distinct directions.

  • Career direction towards research group leader: scientists with strong academic ambition and potential, who match the goals of our organization can be offered a clear career perspective through a talent or career track to grow into a leadership role within academia. The selected candidates receive development support in terms of training programs.
  • Career direction towards staff researcher: those researchers with a strong technological or methodological expertise who are essential to long-term research continuity but may not aspire to lead their own groups the staff researcher position is created.
  • Career direction to the private or public sector: expertise and skills of scientists holding a PhD are of great value to society. By offering career guidance, providing insight into their motives, and using our broad network, we collaboratively support our researchers in taking a step outside academia.

• Why

  Radboudumc research thrives thanks to the outstanding efforts of our researchers, who consistently deliver exceptional work. Our commitment to innovation is strengthened by our ability to attract, nurture, and retain top talent.

  In response to the competitive labor market and to enhance research quality, we introduced the Scientific Career Path (SCP). This initiative reflects our broader commitment to a learning culture, emphasizing psychological safety, mutual respect, and high-performance accountability. It is not only a structure for advancement, but it also represents a cultural shift that empowers talent and fosters scientific excellence.