Penta offers support to individuals pursuing or holding a PhD (or equivalent professional training) and those within seven years of their first research appointment, who aspire to advance their research careers and become independent researchers.
Early Career Researchers (ECRs) are at the core of the Penta ID Network’s mission, and we strongly believe in the need for voicing the vision of the future by a younger generation to assure the continuity of Penta.
View publications by our ECRs.
Who is a Penta ECR?
An Early Career Researcher (ECR) is a Penta ID Network member who is either undertaking a PhD (or equivalent professional training) or is a researcher within seven years from the date of their first research-related appointment, minus eligible delays in research. An ECR has the ambition to continue to develop their research career and to become an independent researcher.
What do we offer ECRs?
Penta provides an ideal environment that enables ECRs to build their research passion and capability. We strive to increase the visibility of ECRs in the scientific community and offer support in the development of future leaders in paediatric infectious diseases.
We do this through:
1. Mentorship
Penta provides opportunities for ECRs to be mentored by experienced researchers within our network. Mentees and mentors engage in an active partnership with mentors to identify achievable career goals and address challenges. If you are part of the Penta ID Network and interested in joining our mentorship programme, please contact us at pentamentoringprogramme@pentafoundation.org
2. Peer feedback
Penta provides a friendly and informal platform for ECRs to share experiences, gain feedback on ideas and identify collaborators among themselves.
3. Training
Penta empowers ECRs to develop their careers by linking them to training opportunities that support the development of research skills. Keep up to date with this webpage to find out about future training opportunities available for ECRs.
ECR Working Group
- Co-chairs: Costanza Di Chiara, Lisanne Bevers
- Penta point of contact: Matteo Bason
“Our Working Group has been developed to drive Penta’s scientific work in building the next generation of leading researchers in paediatric infectious diseases and offer new insights for Penta’s scientific group. The vision for the our Working Group is for it to be the incubator for the next global research leaders of the Penta Network. The mission is to help each other become better and to facilitate the best use of Penta network’s resources in that direction.”
Join the ECR Working Group: open call for member applications
Penta welcomes new applications to join the Early Career Researchers Working Group (ECR WG)! The ECR WG was created to offer early career researchers a dedicated space within the Penta ID Network to connect, advance their research careers, and contribute to the Foundation’s mission.
What the ECR WG offers to its members:
- Expand your professional network across institutions, disciplines, and countries.
- Connect with peers, mentors, and leading experts in your research field.
- Opportunities to collaborate with Penta ongoing research initiatives.
- Access training, mentorship, and professional development opportunities.
- Learn about funding calls and contribute to grant proposals.
How the ECR WG membership works:
- Membership is open year-round, and new members are invited to join as spots in the WG become available. The WG is refreshed annually to ensure diversity in geography, gender, expertise, and institutional affiliation.
- We encourage ECRs to submit their applications to the WG at any time. This is the best way to connect with the group, stay informed about our activities, and express your interest in becoming more involved.
How to apply for the ECR WG:
- IMPORTANT: you need to be a member of the Penta ID Network to join the ECR WG! To become a member of the Network, sign up here.
- Submit your application to the ECR WG by sending your CV (including education details, current position, and the most relevant publications and conference presentations) and a short letter of presentation outlining your expectations from being part of the WG to network@pentafoundation.org.
We look forward to receiving your application!