PhD Life in EURECA-PRO: A Journey of Research, Friendship and Pizza

Connecting over research (and schnitzels): the PhD Journey in Leoben

Last November, 8 UHasselt doctoral researchers travelled to Leoben, Austria, for the annual EURECA-PRO PhD Journey - an immersive, multi-day event filled with workshops, presentations, and plenty of social connection. While our colleagues in Hasselt welcomed PhD students from 8 countries, our own doctoral students found their way to Montanuniversität Leoben (MUL).

For Daniely Reis Santos (IIW), a PhD student working on eco-friendly materials to convert CO₂ into fuel, it was her second time attending. 

“What stood out is how the same sustainability challenge is tackled from so many angles,” she shares. “We think we’re working in a niche, but then we talk and realise how our work connects. It’s exciting.”

Daniely’s project aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12, turning CO₂ from waste into value - a green solution to reduce fossil fuel dependency. EURECA-PRO’s Seed Funding on Energy, Materials and Circular Economy has already supported her research. But beyond financial aid, the collaboration has had the most impact.

“After my first PhD Journey, I started a collaboration with Prof. Christoph Rameshan on XPS spectroscopy, something we couldn’t easily access at UHasselt. We’re writing a project together and hope to combine our expertise via joint research.”

The PhD Journey was also an opportunity to get to know fellow researchers from Hasselt University. 8 PhD students, of which 4 were from IIW (Max Krack, Daniely Reis Santos, Jonathan Parion, Osama Rabi) and 4 from WET (Shuang Liu, Brian Claesen, Sara Salera and Hendrik Jeuris), travelled to Montanuniversität Leoben.

Daniely adds, smiling: “Funny enough, I got to know more about UHasselt while in Leoben than I did at home.”

Pizza, people, and perspectives

Back at UHasselt, the EURECA-PRO Vegan Pizza Night during the Sustainable Week (Green Office) brought young researchers together in a completely different way - this time around a warm meal and informal conversations.

Juan Guerrero Paez (WET) attended his very first EURECA-PRO event.

“During the Vegan Pizza Night, I learned more about EURECA-PRO. I see a lot of potential in it for my PhD: interdisciplinary exchange, networking, research collaborations, even mobility options,” Juan shares. “I would definitely recommend fellow PhD students to participate. The atmosphere was great and a nice way to connect with other researchers. Plus, who doesn’t love good conversation over a warm slice of pizza?”

His work, which reduces reliance on critical raw materials, is also deeply tied to SDG 12. “Salt batteries could be a real game changer,” Juan explains. “Sodium is abundant, cheaper, and safer. Developing alternatives to lithium is essential for a sustainable energy future.”

After the event, Juan also volunteered to become part of the EURECA-PRO student council.

Daniely highlights how informal meetups like a pizza night complement bigger events like the EURECA-PRO PhD Journey.

“There’s something about sharing food that makes connecting easier. Some faces become familiar, and those people become friends. That sense of community matters,” says Daniely.

These kinds of exchanges are exactly what the alliance hopes to foster. Behind every slice and every workshop is a bigger goal: helping young researchers connect ideas, cultures, and careers.

A community worth joining

At its heart, EURECA-PRO is about building bridges - between universities, disciplines, and people.

“We now have a WhatsApp group where we share research stuff, ask questions, and keep in touch,” Brain Claesen laughs, reflecting back at the connections made during the PhD Journey in Leoben.

Whether over a conference table or a pizza oven, these exchange moments turn a solo PhD into a shared experience. From new project ideas to lasting friendships, UHasselt’s involvement in EURECA-PRO opens doors for researchers to grow as scientists and as part of a vibrant international network.

“The  EURECA-PRO atmosphere is warm, inclusive, and fun. You don’t often get that in academic settings,” says Dainely. The EURECA-PRO Doctoral School is led by Hasselt University and coordinated by Stefanie Kerkhofs and Hanne Surkyn (OBI).

“It is always reassuring to know our PhD students are so well cared for by our EURECA-PRO partners. The international exchange is truly an enriching experience for our doctoral students, and we see many new links, such as joint papers and access to research facilities, Stefanie and Hanne end.

More information on the EURECA-PRO Doctoral School: https://www.eurecapro.eu/phd-programme/.