It can be difficult to get a foothold with a permanent position at the university if you are a junior researcher with a recently completed PhD degree. Many have part time jobs or fixed-term employment. But the junior researchers are the university's future, and it is therefore important that they can also exert influence on the development of the university, says Anne Birkeholm Jensen, who is a member of the board of the Junior Research Association and herself a postdoc at the Department of Dentistry and Oral Health.

"We're the next generation, the junior researchers and young talents, who have lots of good input for both research and the university's development; however, in the current situation we don’t have a formal voice at the university. We can't really get the chance to speak, and we want to change that."

Development, networks and a seat at the table

Junior researchers without a permanent position constitute a large group of researchers at the university, and Anne Birkeholm Jensen therefore believes that it is natural for the junior researchers to be members of the academic councils.

"One of our primary focus areas is to get a seat on the academic councils. In some places we’ve been given a chance as an observer, but we actually think that we deserve a full seat with voting rights. If Aarhus University is talking about keeping hold of its talents, it also makes sense to involve us and give us influence in the development of the university,” she says.

A new JRA board, where three out of four members are from Health, has now really set sail and is also working to create a developing network where junior researchers can gather and exchange experiences, says Anne Birkeholm Jensen:

"JRA should be an organisation where the younger researchers can discuss their frustrations, have a dialogue and develop a strong network across their own and the other faculties. We hold courses and various events that we hope will contribute to the talent development at the university."

At present, the association has just over one hundred members, but the ambition is to grow so the association can have a greater impact.

"Together we're stronger. That’s why we also hope that more people will join JRA. It doesn’t cost anything, and apart from giving us more clout and a unified voice, the membership also gives you the opportunity to participate in our academic and social events," says Anne Birkeholm Jensen.