Breakfast Club series 7: Career Pathways for PhDs and Early-Career Researchers

Welcome to our webinar series on Career Pathways for PhDs and Early-Career Researchers. This series is designed to explore what lies “beyond the lab”, offering an in-depth look at the diverse professional journeys available to emerging scientists and scholars across the agri-food and biotechnology sectors. With a focus on real-world experiences, the series will showcase how early-career researchers can apply their skills, creativity, and curiosity in a wide range of roles spanning academia, industry, policy, and civil society.

Through a series of inspirational, expert-led discussions, we aim to foster a deeper understanding of career development and the evolving landscape of research and innovation. The webinars will feature accomplished professionals who have successfully transitioned across sectors, sharing their personal stories, lessons learned, and practical insights into building impactful, purpose-driven careers.

Throughout the series, we invite participants to look beyond traditional research pathways — to explore opportunities that connect science with society, drive innovation, and shape the sustainable future of global agri-food systems.

Upcoming webinars:

Breakfast Club 39: Thursday, 20th November

Dr. Elisa García García, Project Officer at Spanish Foundation for Science and Technology (FECYT), Madrid, Spain

Title: Beyond the Lab: From Biomedical Research to Specialist in Career Development and Policy Innovation

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aS5yxw7DQr2qnKNesGLK0Q

Breakfast Club 40: Thursday, 4th December

Dr. Yuliya Shakalisava, Founder and CEO of biotech startup, EXIT071, Leiden, The Netherlands

Title: Beyond the Lab: From Chemistry PhD to Business Entrepreneur and Biotech Founder

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_xcC5FWJGR_6Y8-5sVH5rGw

Breakfast Club 41: Thursday, 15th January

Dr. Monica Mburu, Founder and CEO of Afyalishe Wellness and Senior Lecturer at Dedan Kimathi University of Technology, Nyeri, Kenya

Title: Beyond the Lab: From Food Scientist to Agri-Food Innovation and Academia

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UjgtRqLBQTyJzLDhO_FBGw

Breakfast Club 42: Thursday, 29th January

Professor Deborah Roberts, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Science at The James Hutton Institute, Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Title: Beyond the Lab: From Agricultural Economics to Strategic Leadership in Research Management and Scientific Policy

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2dka8XlIRu-Qywb36DA7Nw

Breakfast Club 43: Thursday, 12th February

Professor Claire Chenu, Director of Research at INRAE and Professor at AgroParisTech, Paris, France

Title: Beyond the Lab: From Soil Research to Shaping Global Action for Climate and Sustainability

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_j46mQLq_TkyNHlMtaZNqAg

Breakfast Club 44: Thursday, 26th February

Dr. Kamaljit Moirangthem, Scientist at Nofima - The Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research, Bergen, Norway

Title: Beyond the Lab: From Bioenergy Researcher to Sustainable Innovation Leader

Registration Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_UwYjNM_8Sael83tM9RWS4A

Breakfast clubs

Overview in PDF