The ESOF 2012 Careers program showcases opportunities across science, technology and research

The Irish Minister for Education and Skills, Ruairi Quinn, TD, today announced details of the Euroscience Open Forum 2012 (ESOF) Careers Programme. The Careers Programme, which is sponsored by Intel Ireland, is an integral stream of ESOF 2012, Europe's largest science event, which is scheduled to take place in the Convention Centre Dublin from 11th – 15th July 2012. Over 5,000 researchers, policy makers and international science media are expected to attend. The unique programme will provide researchers with an opportunity to listen to and interact with leading scientists, from across the globe.

Minister Quinn commented on the importance of ESOF 2012 and the Careers Programme: "ESOF 2012 and the associated year-long programme of science related events will reinforce the image of Ireland as a leading centre of scientific excellence."

Minister Quinn continued, "The Careers Programme, will showcase the range of opportunities available in the areas of science, research, and technology. Now, more than ever we need to inspire and motivate our young people to consider careers in these areas, and the programme highlights the importance of investment in subjects such as science and mathematics. The conference will show the world that Ireland is open for business and serious about science."

Anne Kelleher, HR Director, Intel Ireland, commented on the ESOF 2012 Careers Programme Launch, "Our commitment to ESOF and specifically to the Careers Programme demonstrates Intel's desire to attract the best and the brightest to support the growing need for researchers in industry and in Ireland. Events like ESOF will inspire and motivate our young people to take up important subjects such as science and maths and therefore placing Ireland firmly on the map for science."

The call for proposals for the Careers Programme, launched in July 2011, challenged individuals and organisations to propose interactive sessions which would advise, inform and support researchers at all career stages. Proposals were sought under three broad headings: the challenges facing 21st century researchers; the diversity of careers open to researchers; and international mobility and the global researcher. A number of key highlights from the programme include:

Career Zoo will be hosting a dedicated recruitment area as part of the Careers Programme at ESOF. There will be hundreds of research jobs on offer and researchers will be able to meet with leading international employers from the biomedical and engineering sectors to discuss professional job opportunities.
The Careers Programme Opening Ceremony, Thursday, 12th of July, will include a keynote address from the former Romanian Minister for Science, who is the current science adviser to the Romanian President, Daniel Funeriu. Also the European Young Researchers award by Euroscience will be presented at the ceremony.
'P with a Prof' is a traditional event at ESOF meetings, allowing researchers at an early stage in their career to meet with academic professors over an informal meal. This has previously been pizza (Italy), pretzels (Germany), and this year Dublin will be providing porridge! ESOF 2012 will also expand on the interpretation of Prof to include both academic research 'professors' and high calibre 'professionals' working in science related industries, such as pharmaceuticals, technology and media . At ESOF 2012 each 'Prof' (10 profs per day over the course of three days) will have a round-table breakfast with nine researchers each morning. Researchers must sign up in advance via the website to reserve a place at the breakfast table. This event provides an opportunity for researchers to gain access to and 'pick the brains' of high profile experts from their scientific field of interest that they may otherwise not have the opportunity to meet. Researchers can probe into the profs career to date, ask advice and have general science discussions in an informal setting.

The exhibition area will feature a dedicated careers area in the Convention Centre. This area will bring together a variety of organisations with advice for early-stage career researchers. Professor Patrick Cunningham, Chief Scientific Adviser to the Irish Government reiterated the importance of ESOF 2012 and the Careers Programme, "The ESOF conference represents a significant opportunity to discuss the importance of Science to European society and how it needs to be both embraced and communicated to the public. Ultimately the learning's will go on to influence policy to help shape the future of a knowledge based economy in Europe."

Professor Cunningham continued, "We have had an incredible response to the Careers Programme, the standard of proposals has been outstanding, ranging in diversity in all fields, from the physical and natural sciences to the social sciences, medical and technology fields. It is an extremely important programme in particular for young researchers and those at all stages in their careers."

The Careers Programme Committee is chaired by Dr. Conor O'Carroll, Research Director, Irish Universities Association. The Committee has been working on the development of the ESOF 2012 Careers Programme for over a year. Dr. Carroll commented: "The ESOF 2012 Careers Programme will enable researchers to channel their individual interests and specialties and will help them to make informed decisions on their future. Research is a profession that opens multiple career opportunities globally and the Careers Programme will provide an overview of future paths for researchers. "

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For further information please contact:

Piaras Kelly
Edelman
00353 1 6789333
00353 86 8131691
piaras.kelly@edelman.com

Breda O'Brien,
Head of Communications, ESOF 2012
00353 1 6073179
00353 87 3744190
breda.obrien@chiefscientificadviser.ie

About Euroscience Open Forum 2012

Euroscience Open Form (ESOF) 2012 will be held in the Convention Centre Dublin from 11th -15th July 2012. ESOF 2012 is an interdisciplinary, pan-European meeting, held under the auspices of Euroscience, which aims to:

Showcase the latest advances in science and technology
Promote a dialogue on the role of science and technology in society and public policy
Stimulate and provoke public interest, excitement and debate about science and technology

Dublin was awarded the honour of hosting this event following an open competition in 2008. The Dublin bid was led by Chief Scientific Adviser to the Government, Professor Cunningham, with the support of Forfás, Ireland's national policy advisory board for enterprise, trade, science, technology and innovation (www.forfas.ie). The Office of the Chief Scientific Adviser is responsible for hosting ESOF 2012 with the support of Forfás.

ESOF 2012 has been brought about thanks to the support of The European Commission, IBM, Intel, Janssen, Science Foundation Ireland, Forfás, Robert Bosch Stiftung, Eirgrid, Dublin City Council, Marine Institute, the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, Bord Gáis, Abbott Fund, COST and Teagasc.

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