The PARC Junior Community took part in the European Society of Toxicology In Vitro (ESTIV) ↗ Congress 2026 ↗, held in Maastricht, bringing together representatives of different early-career networks to explore shared needs and opportunities for collaboration.

During a lunchtime session on 30 June 2026, the PARC Junior Community was represented by Katya-Manuella Permana ↗ from ANSES and the PARC Coordination Team. She was joined by Luiz Ladeira ↗, representing the ESTIV Early Career Network ↗ and chairing the session; Rita Ortega Vallbona ↗, representing the ASPIS Academy ↗ as both session chair and presenter; and Julia Matyjasiak ↗, representing the VICT3R ↗ Early-Stage Researcher Network.

The session, entitled “Connecting early-career researchers: ASPIS Academy, PARC Junior Community, and VICT3R ESR Network ↗”, began with a short introduction to each community, outlining its purpose and current or previous activities.

The three presentations highlighted both the distinct identities of the communities and the needs they share. While each network has its own specific scientific interests, the discussion identified opportunities to organise joint activities on broader topics, including the application of science in policy and regulatory contexts and scientific communication. 

Turning career needs into practical activities

The presentations were followed by an interactive online poll to gather the audience’s views on the types of activities they would find most useful.

Overall, participants expressed a preference for initiatives that could lead to practical and directly actionable outcomes related to their career development. These included scientific workshops, hands-on training, exchange and mobility opportunities between institutions, and support in identifying funding, grants and fellowships.

The discussion also addressed the development of mentorship programmes and, in particular, the importance of creating suitable mentor–mentee pairings.

Mathieu Vinken ↗, current coordinator of ASPIS, noted that different mentors may be able to offer different types and levels of support. Both mentors and mentees should therefore be prepared to communicate actively and work together to develop a relationship that meets their respective needs.

The community representatives also highlighted the importance of remaining connected with members as they progress towards more senior stages of their careers. This continuity can support intergenerational exchange, allowing today’s mentees to become tomorrow’s mentors.

Supporting early-stage researchers

Later that afternoon, the congress hosted a session dedicated to selected early-stage researchers ↗ presenting their work.

One of the presenters was Eike Cöllen, who won a PARC Junior Community presentation competition and received a travel grant to support his participation in the ESTIV Congress 2026.

His research is part of a project involving both PARC and ASPIS: “Establishment of an in-vitro neurotoxicity test battery using 2D/3D neuronal cell models for the assessment of functional disturbances in the nervous system.” This made his contribution particularly relevant to a session focused on connections between the different research communities. 

Join the PARC Junior Community 

Are you a student, a recent graduate — up to five years after graduation — or an early-career researcher already involved in PARC activities? The PARC Junior Community would be delighted to welcome you.

Register here ↗.

Follow the PARC Junior Community’s updates on PARCopedia ↗.

Collaborate with us

A follow-up event was organised on 20 July 2026 by the PARC Junior Community and the task dedicated to Building infrastructure and human capacities to present the PARC training programme calendar for 2026–2027 ↗.

A representative of the VICT3R Early-Stage Researcher Network attended the session, and the recording will also be shared with the other members of the VICT3R community.

The PARC Junior Community looks forward to developing further collaborations with early-career networks in the future.

For enquiries and collaboration proposals, please contact parc_juniorcomanses [dot] fr.