PATHFOOD Masterclass for Research Managers: How and Why to Become a Professional Research Manager
29 10 2025
The PATHFOOD project (GA101160011, HORIZON-WIDERA-2023-ACCESS-02) aims to strengthen excellence in food science through international collaboration and capacity building. As part of the project’s third General Assembly, a dedicated session will take place on 7 November 2025, focusing on professionalisation and career development of research managers within academic institutions.
Date of Event: 7 November 2025
Time: 10:00–12:00
Venue: Sala de Juntes, Faculty of Science, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Format: on-site and online.
The session will consist of two linked masterclasses designed to equip participants with advanced knowledge and practical skills in research management, grant writing, and innovation leadership. The event will target last-year PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and early-career research managers seeking to transition towards professional research support or research leadership roles.
PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
Session 1: Masterclass on EU Proposal Writing Techniques
Speaker: Sebastian Puculek, Lund University
Faculty of Engineering, Lund University. Experienced Horizon Europe project coordinator and evaluator with over fifteen years in EU research funding. Expert in grant writing, impact design, and innovation strategy.
Time: 10:00 – 11:00
Practical guidance on developing successful Horizon Europe proposals, from identifying the right call to preparing a competitive application. The session introduces concrete tools for structuring concepts, defining impact pathways, and managing proposal development processes within collaborative consortia. Drawing on real examples from recent Horizon Europe projects such as FARMWISE, the workshop demystifies evaluator expectations and offers evidence-based writing strategies.
Session 2: Masterclass on Research Management and Career Development
Speaker: Leonardo Piccinetti, REDIN
CEO of REDINN. Over twenty years of experience in EU research and innovation management. Trainer for EARMA and expert in career pathways for research managers and administrators.
Time: 11:00 – 12:00
Professionalisation pathways in research management and administration. The session covers research management careers in Europe, transferable skills for PhDs, leadership and project coordination, and the Excellence–Impact–Implementation (EII) framework for grant writing. It also introduces the European Certificate in Research Management (EARMA) and provides participants with a 3-month personal roadmap for professional growth.
Who can join?
Last-year PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and junior research managers interested in strengthening their competencies in proposal writing, research project leadership, and international funding acquisition.
Participants will gain:
Practical understanding of how to structure and write competitive EU project proposals.
Knowledge of research management roles and career trajectories in Europe.
Insight into project leadership, risk management, and communication strategies.
A personalised roadmap for professional transition into research management or coordination roles.
Join us for a hands-on Masterclass on proposal writing and research management. Learn directly from experienced EU project coordinators and research innovation experts. Seats are limited – register now.
Register Link: https://forms.gle/Pc6BpQzcLQsSppJ2A
Organised by: REDINN and PATHFOOD Consortium
Funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Programme (Grant Agreement No. 101160011).