Why do universities need researcher development? We've asked our community for their opinions. Long-time collaborator Claudia Cafuta answered our question like this:
Because careers begin where curiosity meets structure.
Claudia Cafuta is the Head of the Dean's Office in the Faculty of Natural Sciences. The Dean's Offices at the University of Graz are an important channel of communication for the RCC, allowing us to remain in touch with what researchers need, and to distribute our range of offers to them.
Claudia Cafuta is passionate about creating the best conditions for the researchers she is responsible for, and says about the Research Careers Campus:
Early career researchers need room for risk taking, but also reliable guidance. They often have brilliant ideas but not yet a deep insight into career paths, funding mechanisms, or networks. The RCC translates "invisible rules" into clear, understandable steps, and thereby makes academic careers imaginable. Successful research is teamwork, requiring feedback spaces, peer communities, and interdisciplinary bridges. The Research Careers Campus builds exactly these valuable communities. It connects young talents with mentors, peers, and experts, and thus with real opportunities.
You can meet Claudia and other fantastic collaborators from the different faculties of the university at our Festival in April 2026: Research Careers Campus Festival 2026
Picture credit: Stadlbauer, privat.