The Young Neuroscience Network was established in 2023 by a group of young researchers at the Department of Biomedicine and the Department of Clinical Medicine with the help of Associate Professor Sâmia Joca and Professor Poul Henning Jensen. The network brings together researchers and students through journal clubs, workshops, and social events.

“As a student or early-career researcher, it’s easy to feel isolated - especially if there aren’t many others at your level in your research group or workplace. It can be hard to find someone to exchange thoughts, knowledge, and experiences with,” says Ann Kathrine Christiansen, PhD student and member of the network’s steering committee.

In 2024, the network therefore launched a mentorship scheme focusing on career development, well-being, and personal peer support.

“The mentorship programme connects our academic activities with the human side of research life and ensures our members have someone to talk to about things like career choices, well-being, and the courage to try something new,” she explains.

From idea to pilot project: how the mentor pairs were formed

Eleni Sia, a PhD student and member of the organisational team behind the Young Neuroscience Network, was one of the initiators of the project and also took part as a mentor during the pilot phase.

“I had someone I considered a mentor during my studies, so I know the value of having a mentor during the transition from Master’s to PhD. It really helped with writing applications and CVs, and it gave me a boost of motivation. That’s why I wanted to support this initiative and help create a programme so more people can benefit,” she says.

During the pilot phase, 8 mentor/mentee pairs were matched based on a questionnaire covering career level, field of study, and expectations. Pairs were matched across career stages: from bachelor to Master’s, Master’s to PhD, PhD to postdoc, and postdoc to assistant professor.

Based on a mentee request, an effort was made to involve a mentor from outside academia.

“A mentor from industry is a huge asset. Majority of university supervisors have followed an academic path, making it challenging to discuss industry-related career paths, hence that kind of input can open new doors,” says Eleni Sia.

Life as a mentee

Monja Müller, a PhD student, has participated in the pilot programme over the past year as a mentee.

“I meet with my mentor once a month and choose the topics myself. It could be how to plan experiments long-term, an introduction to Adobe Illustrator, or feedback on CVs and cover letters. It’s informal and safe, and we’ve also had space to talk about my relationship with my PhD supervisor and work-life balance,” she explains.

The link to the neuroscience community in Aarhus has been a major benefit.

“My mentor knows many people at Aarhus University and Aarhus University Hospital. Becoming part of that network has been invaluable - especially now, as I near the end of my PhD and am looking for my next step on the career ladder,” she says.

Ann Kathrine Christiansen also participated in the pilot project and found that the collaboration developed naturally over time.

“We started out more formally, but it evolved into regular lunch meetings where we talked about both work and personal life. It felt natural and very useful.”

What has the network learned – and what’s next?

The pilot project has been running for a year and has provided the organising committee with valuable insights - for example, about who should initiate the first meeting and how best to get started.

“We’ll be matching new pairs at the beginning of 2026 and next time we’ll be much clearer about meeting formats, suggested topics, and setting expectations. Some pairs needed a kick-start and never developed a close connection - we hope to change that next year with a joint kick-off and clear templates,” says Eleni Sia.

The network is also opening for rolling admissions, allowing people to sign up as mentors or mentees year-round.

“We want more pairs and more representation across career levels, but success is measured by quality - not just numbers. That’s why we continuously adjust based on participants’ feedback,” she adds.

For Ann Kathrine Christiansen, the next step also involves strengthening the sense of community and increasing visibility of the scheme.

“Our goal is to double the number of pairs next year. When personal recruitment encourages a colleague to become a mentor, they tend to sign up. At the same time, we’re working with small, visible efforts like posters and notices in academic environments. That makes a big difference,” she says.

Monja Müller hopes more people will take the opportunity.

“All bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD students working in neuroscience should consider taking part. You grow your network and get concrete help with your personal challenges. I’m soon celebrating my one-year anniversary with my mentor — this experience has been truly meaningful.”

Inspiration for other academic fields

Although at its infancy, the Young Neuroscience Network sees the mentorship programme as an initiative that is here to stay - and one that other academic fields and networks are welcome to draw inspiration from.

“Our focus is on young neuroscience researchers, but other networks could easily take inspiration from what we’ve done. If others were to start from scratch, we recommend to decide how to recruit, match, and follow up, and give the pairs a short guide for their first meetings,” summarises Ann Kathrine Christiansen.

The Young Neuroscience Network is planning a new round of the mentorship scheme starting in January. Rolling registration is available via the network’s channels.

If you would like to learn more about the programme, or if you are a young neuroscience researcher interested in joining as a mentor or mentee, you can contact the steering committee via email to Rikke Lindhard (contact info below) or find more information and sign up to the newsletter on the Young Neuroscience Network’s website.

Contact

Research Group Coordinator Rikke Skovgaard Lindhard
Aarhus University, The Department of Biomedicine and DANDRITE
Email: rsl@dandrite.au.dk

PhD student Ann Kathrine Christiansen
Aarhus University, The Department of Clinical Medicine – Translational Neuropsychiatry Unit
Email: a.k.c@clin.au.dk