The ECR Forum builds connection with fellow Early Career Researchers (Level A and B academics) to discuss ideas and opportunities to support you to thrive during your COMBS journey!
President and Representative in COMBS Executive Committee: Lisa Haerteis
Secretary: Toby Mitchell
COMBS Operations Team Contact: Ruth Waterman
Contact details of Forum members can be found in the ECR Forum Members portal (COMBS gmail sign in required).
The Early Career Researcher Forum aims to strategically empower the next generation of scientific leaders at the Centre. The ECR Forum’s mission is twofold: to drive our individual professional development and to foster a culture of collective excellence. Ultimately, The Forum aspires to become independent, innovative researchers who lead groundbreaking interdisciplinary initiatives and make meaningful contributions to the field of optical microcombs, making microcombs accessible to the broader scientific community as well as end users.
Monthly online meeting
Two offline, in-person meetings annually – one tied to annual workshop, one tied to an annual theme workshop
Workshops, e.g. grant writing, grant submission mentoring from Martijn, leadership, strategic career planning
Maybe a podcast for outreach to the public?
The opportunity fund application outlines the funds the ECR Forum applied for and was awarded for initiatives March 2026-February 2027.
Read it here.
The ECR Forum presented at the COMBS Annual Workshop on the plans for 2026.
A copy of the presentation is available here.
Interested in joining the Forum?
Contact Ruth Waterman (ruth.waterman@rmit.edu.au) for more information!