Some Doctoral Candidates have started their PhDs adventures in October 2024 including Matteo Bechere (University of Konstanz), Jonas Britz (CWI), Llorenç Balada Gaggioli (CTU), Enrica Barrilli (Inria d’Université Côte d’Azur), Mattia Matucci (Inria d’Université Côte d’Azur) and Yassine Koubaa (Artelys). Let’s see what they said about their start.
“My start at Inria has been incredibly positive and stimulating. I’ve felt warmly welcomed by all the members of the team, and from the very beginning, I’ve experienced great support. Every need I’ve had has been carefully listened to, and I feel that the environment here is truly focused on collaboration, personal, and professional growth.
The work atmosphere is highly motivating and inspiring. My supervisor is always available and attentive, scheduling meetings whenever necessary to ensure I have the support I need. I deeply appreciate this level of engagement, which makes me feel valued and supported right from the start.”
Enrica BarrilliInria d’Université Côte d’Azur
Llorenç Balada Gaggioli (CTU) shared: ” The first days of my PhD have been very exciting. Both moving to a new city, Prague, and starting to do research on a topic new to me have made my days very busy as there is always something happening, such as trying new food or learning new ideas at work. The research group has very diverse backgrounds and works in different topics, which makes it a stimulating environment and I am sure will lead to a lot of collaboration.
At the beginning of the project I have been reading a lot and getting the necessary background, but I already feel like I can delve into some more specific questions and make my contributions. I am also looking forward to seeing everyone of the TENORS consortium in a few months and have interesting discussions about our research.
I have also joined a Czech course in order to start learning the local language and, hopefully, by the end of my PhD I can speak it at a conversational level, which will help me get involved in the community and feel more comfortable in daily-life interactions outside of work.
Sport is a key part of my life, and I have seen Prague is very active in this aspect, there is always an event or activity to go to. I have really enjoyed watching ice hockey games, the main sport here (and current world champions), and now I plan on joining a university flootball team “
“I have started my TENORS journey on 1st of October. Moving abroad to do research was both exciting and scary. It was intimidating to move away from family and friends but working with brilliant people in a field I highly enjoy is an amazing opportunity. Luckily, my colleagues made the start as easy as one could wish for by being very welcoming and helpful. The climate in CWI is both professional and supportive. I feel honored to be a part of the TENORS network and being able to collaborate with researchers from all over Europe.”
Jonas Britz CWI
“I moved to France just the day before starting at Inria, so my first week was full of things to do, and I didn’t have much time to fully understand what was happening around me.
The Inria center is incredible; it’s filled with people who are eager to help us grow professionally and achieve our goals. They foster a collaborative research environment within each group and also encourage us to connect with other researchers through monthly events. I’m really excited to spend two years of my PhD here at Inria and within my research group.
My supervisor gave me a warm welcome. During the first weeks, he was always available to help me with any questions and to get organized so I could feel at home. Additionally, he encourages me to experiment independently in my work, which is both motivating and stimulating.”
Mattia Matucci, Inria d’Université Côte d’Azur
“I am thrilled to begin my PhD at TENORS, hosted by Artelys. The warm welcome from my supervisors and the team has made my transition smooth. With access to impressive infrastructure and resources, I am excited to immerse myself in research within this collaborative environment.
As I embark on this journey, I feel a strong sense of purpose and determination. I look forward to diving into my research and contributing to the groundbreaking work being done at TENORS. Here’s to new beginnings and the exciting challenges ahead!”
Yassine Koubaa, Artelys
