YIA · Young International Academics Postdoctoral Programme

Young International Academics Postdoctoral Programme

The Young International Academics (YIA) programme at the University of Luxembourg (Uni.lu) was established with the overarching aim of supporting the career development of early-career postdoctoral researchers through interdisciplinary and intersectoral research opportunities. Since its inception, the programme has successfully launched its first and second calls and selected two cohorts of postdoctoral fellows. All ten recruited fellows are currently engaged in interdisciplinary research projects co-supervised by professors of Uni.lu. Each fellow has a tailored Career Development Plan aligning research activities with career goals. The programme also offers access to targeted training modules and workshops that strengthen interdisciplinary skills and cross-sectoral competencies. A key objective of the YIA programme is to attract international research talent to Luxembourg by offering fellowships for self-initiated, interdisciplinary projects. To this end, the programme has effectively drawn a diverse range of international applicants through high-visibility calls disseminated across European and global academic platforms and networks. The selected fellows represent a wide variety of national and disciplinary backgrounds, underscoring the programme’s global reach and commitment to diversity. The strong number and high quality of applications received confirm the programme’s attractiveness, with many proposals showcasing innovative interdisciplinary approaches. Candidates with compelling, self-designed projects were selected through a recruitment process that prioritised excellence and interdisciplinarity, further bolstering Luxembourg’s reputation as a destination for leading international researchers. Central to the YIA programme is its commitment to promoting a bottom-up, researcher-driven model of postdoctoral research. Fellows were given full autonomy to define their project topics according to their expertise and interests. This model has led to a portfolio of diverse projects across disciplines and sectors, reflecting the creativity and independence of the selected researchers. The evaluation and selection process explicitly prioritised scientific autonomy, innovation, and relevance, ensuring that each funded project was grounded in the academic vision of the researcher. Feedback from fellows confirmed that the freedom to shape their own research agendas was a strong motivator for applying to the programme. Continued support through personalised supervision and custom training further reinforces this researcher-centred philosophy. The programme also strives to enhance interdisciplinarity and intersectorality in research, in alignment with the strategic goals at institutional, national, and European levels. All fellows are supported by both an academic supervisor and a co-supervisor (both from Uni.lu) from a complementary field or sector, fostering interdisciplinary and cross-sector collaboration from the outset. Research projects funded in both calls span diverse disciplines and actively involve stakeholders from public institutions, the industry, and civil society. Fellows are also required to complete secondments in sectors outside their core academic domain, reinforcing intersectoral exposure. This programme structure reflects broader European research objectives, including innovation, societal impact, and knowledge transfer. Integration into the University’s Institute for Advanced Studies (IAS) further facilitates interdisciplinary exchange through mentoring, collaborative events, and networking opportunities across academic and non-academic fields. This integration into the IAS embeds researchers in a vibrant interdisciplinary environment that promotes intellectual exchange and collaboration. Fellows benefit from structured mentoring with IAS senior scholars and visiting academics, along with peer support from other early-career researchers. Collaborative activities such as joint seminars, reading groups, and workshops have already emerged. Fellows also participate in the IAS public lecture series and engage in outreach activities, building skills in communication, fostering intergenerational learning, and enhancing the societal visibility of their work. Future events aim to broaden these opportunities further, reinforcing fellows’ engagement with academia and society alike. The YIA programme provides high-quality supervision and access to an extensive research network, including over 350 academic co-supervisors and approximately 350 public-private partners. Each fellow is matched with a primary supervisor and a co-supervisor from another discipline or sector, ensuring multidimensional guidance. These arrangements not only promote academic excellence but also open doors to collaboration with government bodies, private companies, and civil society organisations. Early feedback indicates that fellows appreciate the dual-supervision model and the structured approach to interdisciplinary mentorship. Additional partnerships are cultivated through secondments and shared research activities, with ongoing efforts to formalise and expand the network of external collaborators involved in project development and training. Another core pillar of the YIA programme is the encouragement of international, cross-generational, and cross-sectoral engagement. Fellows receive mentorship from senior scientists, IAS visiting fellows, and experienced researchers from both academic and non-academic environments. These mentoring structures are complemented by peer-to-peer learning within the broader IAS community. Preparations for mandatory secondments are well underway, with defined objectives and identified host institutions for most fellows. These secondments are designed to deepen interdisciplinary experience, strengthen transferable skills, and extend professional networks. Participation in international conferences and workshops further supports fellows’ integration into global research communities and reinforces the societal relevance of their work. Training is another strategic focus of the YIA programme. A flexible, “à la carte” training model enables fellows to select opportunities aligned with their individual development needs. Each fellow works with their supervisors to create a Career Development Plan (CDP) that guides their training choices. Modules span a wide range of topics, including research ethics, project management, interdisciplinary methodologies, science communication, and entrepreneurship. Fellows also benefit from additional training through university services and IAS-specific offerings. Mobility support allows participation in external seminars and learning events, ensuring that training remains relevant and impactful. This customised approach maximises both employability and interdisciplinary capacity, supporting career trajectories within and beyond academia. Finally, the YIA programme aims to build a long-term postdoctoral funding pipeline at Uni.lu, leveraging the resources and networks of the IAS. Fellows are integrated early into institutional research strategies and supported in identifying future funding opportunities through national and European schemes such as the FNR and Horizon Europe. The programme's emphasis on visibility, interdisciplinary engagement, and international networks positions fellows competitively for future funding and sustained research careers.

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