Call for mentees: One Health Early Career Champions –program
The upcoming One Health Early Career Champions–program (ECC) offers you the opportunity to become a part of the ECC community at the universities of Helsinki and Nairobi. As a mentee in the program, you will benefit from personal career advice and guidance of two carefully chosen mentors, one experienced researcher from each university. This opportunity is open to a maximum of twelve doctoral researchers, six from Helsinki and six from Nairobi.
The thematic focus of the program covers One Health research areas very broadly including virology, anti-microbial resistance, food and nutrition, environmental health, animal health, geography, social and education sciences. The program encourages participation from all disciplinary backgrounds while keeping in mind that you should have an understanding of how your own research culminates with the One Health-theme. Please note that you will need to justify your approach in the application.
The ECC program contributes to the strategic partnership between the universities of Helsinki and Nairobi. It facilitates career advancement and networking of early career researchers from various backgrounds, focusing on One Health. The pilot group of the program started in early 2021, and second group in 2023. Now we are looking for members for the third group.
The term of the 3rd round of the program is August 20025 – December 2026, after which you will become a member of the group of ECC alumni. You are expected to participate in monthly seminars, regular mentee – mentor sessions, other possible tasks and events (ECC-kickoff and the grande finale) as well as four workshops with different themes (such as career planning or stakeholder management) during the term of the program. All events will be organized during regular office hours, between 9 AM and 5 PM. The events are organized online and on-site in Nairobi and Helsinki. Travel costs will be covered by the University of Helsinki. In addition to these events, you will also work on a yearly challenge together with your peers from Nairobi and Helsinki. At the end of the program, all participants will receive a certificate.
By becoming an ECC mentee you will benefit in many ways, including:
- increasing your network
- finding new opportunities and sharing knowledge
- empowering your career prospects
- enhancing your visibility within and beyond academia
The requirements of a ECC mentee
- an active post-graduate study right at the University of Helsinki or Nairobi
- a doctoral thesis which relates to One Health theme
- an approval to join ECC from the main supervisor
- dedication to attend all events and activities of the ECC program
The selection of mentees
The mentees will be selected so that all aspects of One Health will be covered. A maximum of one mentee will be chosen from each discipline / faculty / institution / department. We will prioritize doctoral researchers in their 3rd and 4th year. In addition, the motivation to participate in the events of the program and the mentoring sessions will be used in the selection.
Please leave your application through this eform (https://elomake.helsinki.fi/lomakkeet/134249/lomake.html). The call for mentees is open 17 March to 16 April 2025.
For further information on this opportunity please do not hesitate to contact Mia Vehkaoja (mia.vehkaoja@helsinki.fi) or Harri Mäcklin (harri.macklin@helsinki.fi) or visit our website.
Sincerely,
Your ECC Team
