This student and early career researcher engagement event will foster knowledge exchange, networking and career development among students and ECRs across and beyond the EBRAINS ecosystem. The event will feature scientific presentations, lightning talks, interactive discussions, networking activities and a career-focused session, providing participants with opportunities to share research, explore career pathways, and establish new collaborations.
Certificates of attendance will be provided for all attendees. Additional certificates of participation will be provided to attendees who moderate booths during the Science Market and give presentations during the Lightning Talks.
Programme
The programme is available below. The website and programme will be updated as speakers are confirmed.
Session Summaries
The EBRAINS Student Ambassadors of the Programme Committee will outline the programme of the day and give an introduction to the EBRAINS research infrastructure.
A Research Support & Guidance workshop delivered by the Heidelberg University Research Service will address challenges commonly faced by students and early career researchers, including writing research proposals and applying for research funding.
The Science Market will present an opportunity for students and early career researchers to join moderated discussions around their chosen research topics, exchanging knowledge and research ideas and networking with peers. Attendees will have the opportunity to moderate discussions concerning their areas of work and research.
A series of 5-minute research presentations given by attendees, designed to support knowledge exchange and networking among attendees.
An informal session supported by icebreakers and group activities to generate networking and discussion among attendees.
This "Ask-Me-Anything" session featuring panelists from a range of career levels and paths will enable attendees to seek guidance on careers and other topics of importance to them. Panelists TBC.
Panelists
Jakob Kaiser
Jakob is a final-year PhD student at Heidelberg University, where he also completed his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Physics. During his Master's he spent an Erasmus year at Durham University, UK and completed an internship at Bosch. His research focuses on mapping neuroscientific models onto the neuromorphic BrainScaleS-2 system. He is currently figuring out where to go next: academia or industry.
Dr Alper Yegenoglu
Alper Yegenoglu received his PhD in Computer Science in 2023 from RWTH Aachen University and the Data and Simulation Science division at the Jülich Supercomputing Centre, Forschungszentrum Jülich. His doctoral research focused on meta-learning and gradient-free methods for optimising spiking neural networks and reservoir systems for classification and multi-agent systems on high performance computers.
Prior to his doctoral studies, he worked as a software coordinator at the Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine (INM-6), Forschungszentrum Jülich, where he contributed to the development of the electrophysiological data-analysis toolkit Elephant.
After completing his PhD, he worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the Neuro AI & Robotics Lab in Madrid and at the Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour in Nijmegen, where he investigated emergent agency in robots. He is currently a postdoctoral researcher in the Automatic Control Group at Paderborn University. His research focuses on applying brain-inspired learning techniques to the control of small-scale robotic systems. He also investigates the use of foundation models in reinforcement-learning applications for robotic control.
Evita Maili
Optional tours of the BrainScaleS neuromorphic computing infrastructure, based at the EINC in Heidelberg, delivered by BrainScaleS researchers.
Further opportunities for informal networking, with snacks provided, at a nearby bar.
Registration
Registration is €20.
If you have an EBRAINS account (recommended) please register here with EBRAINS account.
If you do not (yet) have an EBRAINS account, please register here.
To complete your registration, please fill out the detailed registration form which will be emailed to you within 1 week of registering via one of the links above. This form also provides the opportunity to apply to moderate a Science Market session or present a Lightning Talk.
EBRAINS Users Days
The EBRAINS Users Days will take place before the Student Day, on 6 and 7 October. Click here to find out more.
Organiser: EBRAINS Education Team | Medical University Innsbruck
Contact: education@ebrains.eu at end of page
Useful Information
Erasmus funding
If you have an employment contract with your institution (for example, as a PhD student) and register for two or more days of events in Heidelberg (for example, by joining the Users Days as well as the Networking Event), you may be eligible for Erasmus funding through the Staff Funding for Training Programme. Please contact your institution's Erasmus or International Office to inquire.
KidsClub
Childcare for the children of visiting researchers can be organised through the Heidelberg University KidsClub. Please contact the KidsClub directly for more information and availability.
Event Details
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