Call for Mentors: Join the I-DEEP Mentoring Programme!
We are looking for industry mentors to mentor our promising doctoral researchers in photonics and related application fields in the I-DEEP pilot.
The goal of the Innovative Doctoral Education Ecosystem for Photonics (I-DEEP) is to increase the number of photonics and related doctorates, support diverse research careers, and ensure a sufficient supply of R&D experts to meet Finland’s future need. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, I-DEEP aims to equip researchers with cutting-edge knowledge and skills, driving innovation and technological progress.
We are opening the second round (2026-2027) of Industry Mentoring within the I-DEEP doctoral pilot and we are looking for new mentors from industry to join us.
Following a highly successful first round in 2025-2026, we are now continuing the programme to support those doctoral pilot researchers who did not joint the first round.
We need mentors for doctoral researchers in all the partner universities
We are looking for mentors who
- Hold a PhD or a high-level managerial position
- Work in (Finnish) industry in photonics or another high-tech field (or in a research institution)
- Have at least 2-3 years of work experience in industry
Fill in the form to become a mentor:
This call is for the second round of mentoring organised form September 2026 to May 2027. The decisions of the mentoring group selections will be informed in early September 2026.
Mentoring meetings
- September 18, 2026 at 16 on-line info session for mentors
- October 8, 2026 at 16-19 Kick-off meeting: Meet your mentees
- Mentoring meetings: at least 2-4 meetings as agreed upon by the mentoring groups. Face-to-face meetings are recommended when possible.
- May 25, 2027 Closing session at the OPD2027
Why become a mentor?
Share your knowledge and experience, and see your mentees grow and succeed.
Mentoring can expand your professional network, connecting with other professionals and emerging talents. As a mentor you have the opportunity to engage with future PhDs in photonics, not only in your mentoring group but with the larger I-DEEP network. The joint mentoring events also provide opportunity to meet other mentors who are experienced experts in the field.
Mentoring is extremely valuable for the mentees, but also for the mentor it offers possibility for professional development, developing skills, such as leadership, communication, and coaching. Engaging with PhD researchers you are updated with the latest research and trends in their field.
Especially to partner university alumni, mentoring may also be an opportunity to give back to the research community and support the next generation of researchers.
Commitment and participation
Mentoring requires a commitment of 8-9 months, including two compulsory joint meetings (kick-off and closing session) and other meetings, which can be face-to-face or online, agreed individually upon by the mentoring groups. The recommendation is that meetings are organized (also) face-to-face if this is possible. Although we expect both mentors and mentees to commit to the process, the process is flexible and can be tailored to fit your schedules.
