Every career path has it own unique value. For many researchers, a career beyond academia is not only an attractive option but also a necessary one. Join us for an evening dedicated on alternative career paths for researchers. 

What to expect?

• Key Note on Careers Beyond Academia by Dr. Tina Persson
• Panel Discussion with experts (see below!) to highlight various perspectives on alternative career paths for resesarchers
• World Café discussions to encourage dialogue and exchange of ideas
• Networking to connect with peers and experts
• Music, Food & Drinks to celebrate researchers in & beyond academia!

Who can & should join?

Everyone who is eager to expand their network, share ideas, and gain insights into career paths beyond academia:

• Researchers (PhDs, Post Docs, Early Career Researchers)
• University & Non-University Research Institution Faculty involved in researchers‘ career development
• Industry Professionals interested in supporting researchers transitioning into alternative careers
• Career Coaches & Mentors working with researchers
• Entrepreneurs with a background in research or looking to collaborate with researchers
• Anyone curious about researchers‘ careers and opportunities outside of academia

Who is the Key Note Speaker?

TINA PERSSON is a visionary coach with a multifaceted background in the university and corporate world. Having spent nearly two decades in academia, Tina transitioned to the recruitment industry, where she gained eight years of expertise as a Recruiter, consultant, and brand manager. As a successful businesswoman with an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit, she is the Founder of Passage2Pro AB, an educational and coaching company, and Aptahem AB, a biotech start-up. She has featured in over 20 scientific publications and is the inventor of 2 scientific patents.

Who is part of the Expert Panel on Careers Beyond Academia?

DEJAN BALTIC brings over 18 years of dedicated experience in the pharmaceutical sector, a wealth of expertise in areas such as people management, coaching, leadership of international teams, and fostering cross-functional collaborations within global corporations. His expertise spans diverse domains including Medical Affairs, Clinical Studies, Pharmacovigilance, Regulatory Affairs, Compliance, and Quality Assurance. Since 2011, he has been an integral part of Management Teams in Austrian branches of various companies, successfully overseeing teams of up to 25 individuals.

ELENA HOFFER is the co-founder and CEO of Alma.Me, a platform supporting PhDs in their transition from academia to industry. She holds a PhD in Medical Sciences from Karolinska Institutet (2023) and is passionate about helping early career researchers explore meaningful careers beyond academia. Through Alma.Me and her LinkedIn platform – where she connects with a community of over 100,000 early career researchers – she shares practical strategies for navigating career transitions.

TINA PERSSON is a visionary coach with a multifaceted background in the university and corporate world. Having spent nearly two decades in academia, Tina transitioned to the recruitment industry, where she gained eight years of expertise as a Recruiter, consultant, and brand manager. As a successful businesswoman with an unwavering entrepreneurial spirit, she is the Founder of Passage2Pro AB, an educational and coaching company, and Aptahem AB, a biotech start-up. She has featured in over 20 scientific publications and is the inventor of 2 scientific patents.

MATTEO TARDELLI transitioned from academia to biotech, management consulting, and MedTech, and now helps other PhDs do the same by providing actionable steps and execution plans. Matteos work has been featured in publications such as Nature Careers, Chemistry World, The Biochemist, and Inside Higher Ed. He has spoken on post-PhD career success at Ivy League institutions and have been invited as a panelist at career development conferences across the US and Europe. Currently, Matteo runs workshops for DKFZ, MPI in Germany, University of Graz in Austria, Baylor College of Medicine, MSKCC, Boston Uni, USC and Weill Cornell in the USA, sharing my expertise with diverse audiences navigating career transitions.

ELISABETH WAGNER is a social scientist, manager, content creator, and academic lecturer. She holds a PhD in Social and Economic Sciences and combines her role as Head of Finance, People, and Operations at an international tech startup and a previous career in management consulting with ongoing research in organizational sociology. Her feminist platform on Instagram, followed by over 70,000 people, uses satire and science communication to challenge gender norms and make academic insights accessible. Elisabeth advocates for inclusive leadership, the visibility of women in science, and making the societal relevance of research more visible.

RESEARCHERS BEYOND ACADEMIA by Euraxess

Created in collaboration with the Researchers Beyond Academia (REBECA) Hub by EURAXESS.

This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme within the framework of the ERA TALENT Project funded under grant agreement No 10110347.