Why secondment is one of the main training pillars of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions?

By Stamatis Chrysanthopolous

Counting down the days before I return to Lisbon, I would like to share with you my experience during the three-month secondment period I had at the University of Copenhagen (UCPH) in Denmark. Many of you will wonder what exactly the terminology “secondment” stands for. At least I didn’t know when I first joined the project, so I believe is fair to provide a definition. Secondments are additional periods of research training with another beneficiary or partner organization (from any country) to further enrich the training experience of the Early-Stage Researcher (ESR).

Honestly speaking, having completed only the first year of my PhD, I found it challenging to change environment at such an early stage. The objective of my exchange was to perform a part of my research at the soil fertility department of UCPH. In particular, I focused on phosphorous (P) dynamics in the soil-plant system after surface application of pH modified pig slurry. The soil fertility group has a solid experience with plant macronutrients, particularly with P which exhibits a complicated behavior in the soil solution. Therefore, I took this opportunity to work with ³³P, a radioactive isotope of phosphorous that in theory will provide a better understanding of the P dynamics. The experimental design also included rhizoboxes, special structures that allow to observe root growth during the plant development. Several images were taken during the maize growth which will be later analyzed via a software to estimate different parameters. A key aspect for a successful execution of the experimental design originally made was the collaboration between my host supervisor, Dorette Müller-Stöver and Pietro Mandonca de Santis Sica who is also an ESR of the Ferticycle project. Previous experience with similar experimental studies allow a better understanding of all mechanisms involved during plant growth.

Apart from the experiment, I shall also highlight my personal experience as an exchange student. Upon arrival at UCPH, everything was so different compared to ISA where I originally do my PhD. Different booking systems, cluster meetings, PhD lunches are few examples of how the Danish educational system works. From the very first day I was treated like an employee, a fact which I acknowledge deeply and always remember. It surprises me how diverse is the working environment at North EU countries as many students nowadays choose to study abroad for a better future. I may say that I am in love with the Danish culture, and I do agree that Danish are among the happiest people on Earth.

Overall, I feel grateful that I had the opportunity to spend a part of my research abroad in a country like Denmark. Occasionally breaking the routine and getting outside of your comfort zone is crucial to achieve your goals. Now I understand why the project agreement mandates and pays particular attention on secondments. Because it is a unique experience that creates the researchers of tomorrow.