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Enhancing doctoral researchers’ work-life skills – Join the DOC+ events

Published: 22.1.2026

Doctoral student or postdoc, have you been pondering about building a meaningful doctoral career? Or about the future of AI in research and working life? These events and learning opportunities are for you!

Text 'Doc+ initiative' with colourful explosion on black background. Slogan: Your skills. Your path. Your impact.

Doc+ is a new initiative to enhance Aalto University's doctoral researchers’ and postdocs' work-life skills and career option awareness.

Activities kick off in February 2026 with the new Doc+ Dialogues panel discussion series. It aims to spark multidisciplinary dialogue, from doctor to doctor, on questions many researchers face: How to build a fulfilling research career? What skills matter? How can my expertise create impact? The aim is to broaden perspectives and provide practical insights that any researcher can use.

Two people holding brochures at a table with more brochures. The brochures are black with colourful graphics and text. — The Aallonhuiput doctoral researcher association has helped the Doc+ initiative in many ways. In the photo, Ole Kranzosch (left) and Tomi Perttula are distributing brochures on campus. Photo: Aalto University.

‘Many doctoral graduates flourish both in academia as well as in corporations or as entrepreneurs in different stages of their career paths,’ says Janne Laine, Aalto University Vice President. ‘The Doc+ panels, courses and events are a great way to strengthen our multidisciplinary researcher community through shared learning, peer connection and professional growth,’ he continues.

Come to hear Tero Ojanperä, Frank Martela and many others

The first discussion is on 2 February with Tero Ojanperä, Ewald Kibler and Ia Adlercreutz and the second one a week later, on 9 February with Anu Honkalinna, Imran Ashgar and Frank Martela.

‘Doc+ is a great initiative connecting science to societal impact in various doctoral career paths inside and outside academia,’ says Tero Ojanperä who as deep tech board professional and co-founder of silo.ai will share his views on future of AI in research and working life. Ojanperä is also Chair of the Aalto University Board.

Learning opportunities upcoming

The DOC+ initiative brings also new courses and learning modules into the Aalto doctoral curricula. These courses highlight transferable career skills aspects and often feature ‘doctors to doctors’ approach in which experienced scholars and business practitioners share their insight with the emerging ones.

Upcoming elective course themes include topics like designing a meaningful doctoral career, negotiation for shared success and facilitation for researchers.

Welcome to participate and suggest future themes and topics!

Doc+ is a collaboration initiative by Aallonhuiput doctoral researcher association, Aalto Innovation Services, Career Design Lab, Doctoral Education Services, postdoctoral students and faculty.

DOC+ Dialogues

DOC+ initiative