Call for Mentors: Arqus Mentoring Programme for Early-Stage Researchers 2025-2026

The Arqus Alliance invites experienced researchers to join the Arqus Mentoring Programme for Early-Stage Researchers 2025-2026, supporting advanced PhD students and postdoctoral researchers in navigating their academic careers. This international mentoring initiative pairs mentees with mentors from another Arqus university, fostering guidance on career development, academic networking, and research strategies.
Running from October 2025 to June 2026, the programme includes at least four mentor-mentee meetings, a Kick-Off Workshop in September, online training sessions for mentees, and optional Mentors’ Lounges for peer exchange and support.

Why Become a Mentor?

Mentoring offers a chance to support emerging scholars, develop leadership skills, and gain fresh perspectives on research and academia. It also fosters cross-disciplinary collaboration and connects researchers across different academic cultures.

The Role of a Mentor

Mentors provide a supportive space for discussing career goals, academic challenges, and strategies for success. While research topics may arise, the focus is on career development, including publication strategies, networking, grant applications, and work-life balance. Mentors are not supervisors but trusted advisors who offer guidance and perspective.

Support for Mentors

Mentors receive guidelines, training materials, and access to peer discussions through the Mentors’ Lounges. An introductory online session will set expectations, and the Arqus team will provide ongoing support.

Examples of topics you might discuss with your mentee are:

● Publication strategies and navigating the peer review process
● Building and maintaining a collaborative academic network
● Crucial aspects of job applications in academia, building a convincing profile
● Insight on obtaining financing, writing grant applications and project proposals
● Teaching approaches and how to balance research and teaching obligations
● Science communication strategies and valorisation of research
● Building a structured research approach and time management strategies
● Balancing an academic career with family planning
● Challenges of living and working abroad
● Maintaining mental health while working in academia

Registration

The registration form is open until April 11th.

Register here

Join the Arqus Mentoring Programme and help shape the future of academic research.