SKIES programme inspiration for entrepreneurial minded researchers

The EU-funded SKIES project aims to provide for PhD and first year postdoctoral researchers in the field of astronomy with a new set of skills, integrating open science, innovation and entrepreneurship. The SKIES training will take you through the basics of open science, innovation and entrepreneurship in a two-day intensive course. There will be a focus on transferable skills and career development, and you will have the opportunity to talk with alumni working in various fields. This programme shows that there is a world where the knowledge of researchers can be put to good use, for example in making business models, and much more. In the two-day programme, organised by NL Space Campus’ Groundstation Dotspace, there is an inspiration session at the end of the second day. Raoul Voeten, commercial programme manager NL Space Campus, led this inspiration session. 

Raoul spoke from experience as someone who decided during his PhD research to go into business. Raoul took them through his choices and decisions, showed them what happened afterwards and that there is a world besides Phd work where you can also become an entrepreneur. "I took the leap I didn't know where it would lead me to. Besides what I learned at school, this also taught me a lot. Certainly, I have made blunders too, but don't be afraid of them, these things just happen. The campus, for example, is a development where you can land your company, fitting in with this growing ecosystem of entrepreneurs, researchers, education and government”.

The EU-funded SKIES project aims to provide for PhD and first year postdoctoral researchers in the field of astronomy with a new set of skills, integrating open science, innovation and entrepreneurship.

With this, the researchers will be gaining substantial experience equipping them for a career to fulfil their potential and to contribute to society and economy. A ‘Train the Trainer’ programme will build the capacity of the teaching staff so that they have the training and tools to continue the programme beyond the life of the project. Online training will be made available to support the partner and other organisations interested in running similar courses.

If you are interested in the programme, take a look at the website where you can find out more and participate in sessions: https://connect.groundstation....