2020-2021 edition of the Young Researchers program at the Institut Pasteur: supervisors needed!

For the eleventh year in a row, the Institut Pasteur is once again involved in the Young Researchers scheme, developed in partnership with the Arbre des Connaissances organization and local schools. The idea is to pair up collège students aged 14-15 with lycée students aged 16-17 and to host these pairs in Institut Pasteur laboratories for roughly eight sessions a year (one Wednesday afternoon each month on average, from December to June).

The students will be selected on the basis of an application letter. The aim of the scheme is to carry out a small-scale research project with them, familiarize them with the experimental method and give them an insider's introduction to the world of research and the different career opportunities available.  At the end of the school year, like professional scientists, each pair of students will present their project at the Conference for Young Researchers.

This is an excellent way of promoting research and giving research institutes the opportunity to be involved in local education. It is also a useful exercise for research professionals, who gain experience in supervising students and passing on their expertise.

The willingness of the Institut Pasteur's teams to get involved means that we can generally host between four and eight student pairs each year. For this new school year, the team in charge of the project is looking for enthusiastic supervisors, with previous experience or new to the scheme, to host students so that we can maintain these numbers.

A no-obligation information session will be held on Friday October 8 at 12 noon in the Lwoff room (room 22 on the ground floor).

If you are interested in taking part in this scheme or simply want to find out more, please feel free to email Stéphanie Dabo or Patricia Jeannin (apprentis-chercheurs@pasteur.fr).

Further details (in French)

For any queries, contact Stéphanie Dabo and Patricia Jeannin, apprentis-chercheurs@pasteur.fr

Find out more:

Who can become a supervisor?
Everyone! Scientists, lecturers/researchers, post-docs, PhD students, engineers, ITAs, etc.; men, women, those starting out on their career or with several years' experience. All you need is enthusiasm!

Why should I become a supervisor?
• To familiarize yourself with the sorts of questions raised by young people
• To find an effective way of describing your research and sharing your passion for what you do
• To get involved in a local volunteering scheme
• To develop first-hand experience of scientific outreach
• To enhance the visibility of your research and the Institut Pasteur

This program reflects the ongoing efforts to foster a dialog between science and society. It may count towards applications to AERES, ANR, for European projects, etc.

And an added bonus for PhD students: getting involved in the Young Researchers scheme earns you credits with your doctoral school.