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28. Apr. 2025
Since the beginning of this year, Michaela Fajkusová has been leading the Research and Innovation Support Department at CEITEC MUNI. She stepped into the role with extensive knowledge of doctoral education, and in this interview, she explains the scope of her team’s work, the challenges of transitioning from a specialist role to a leadership position, and why it is crucial to have a scientist’s perspective close at hand when preparing new measures. “My brain is now in the computer,” she says with a smile, referring to the flood of information she is facing in her new role. At the same time, she admits that she enjoys challenges and a fast pace.
Could you briefly explain what the Research and Innovation Support Department actually does and why its work is important for the overall functioning of CEITEC MUNI?
Our department is a relatively small but diverse team that supports key phases of the scientific life cycle at CEITEC MUNI. We support the development of PhD candidates from recruitment to the successful completion of their studies – managing scholarships, state exams, and defences, and assisting with development activities. This allows them and their supervisors to focus more on the science itself.
We also support mobility and the arrival of new talent – each year, we reach out to around 200 prospective PhD students and help research group leaders select the best candidates; we also arrange logistics for interns coming to our institute.
But you do not only focus on scientific talents…
That’s right – we also ensure that our researchers’ scientific outputs are properly recorded and made visible. We enter them into the university’s information system (IS) and repository, as well as the central database (RIV), check compliance with open access rules, and help set up ORCID profiles (note: a unique identifier used by researchers and innovators). This contributes to transparency and to scientific evaluation, which influences institutional funding. In simple terms – research articles and applied research outputs generate funding for CEITEC, so we make sure they are properly recorded.
Our portfolio also includes preparing materials for scientific evaluations, coordinating nominations for scientific awards and expert panels, benchmarking research groups, identifying results with application potential, helping protect intellectual property, and establishing collaborations with industry partners. In this way, we support researchers in translating discoveries into real-world impact and creating opportunities for new grants, partnerships, and sometimes even spin-offs.
You have been at CEITEC for a while now – but your path to a leadership position wasn’t exactly straightforward. Where did you start and what best prepared you for this role?
I joined CEITEC in February 2023 as a PhD Studies Manager. I mainly worked on developing the CEITEC PhD School – specifically in the areas of soft skills training, mentoring, and organising events such as the Welcome and Info Day and the CEITEC PhD School Conference. One of the key elements of my agenda was, and still is, the Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) mentoring concept, which CEITEC introduced more than five years ago as a pioneer in the Czech Republic. TAC enables PhD students to have access not only to their supervisor but also to external experts, including international ones, providing feedback and support. It’s an innovative approach inspired by leading international scientific institutes.
In 2024, I was invited to join a working group focusing on doctoral studies and became the coordinator for doctoral studies at CEITEC MUNI. Working with students has been a passion of mine since my own university days – I studied mathematics and biology with a focus on education – and the university environment feels very natural to me, so I was happy to get involved in projects such as the new Training Portal, developed with HR colleagues to support the professional development of PhD candidates and employees.
What motivated you to apply for the head position? Was it a long-term ambition or more of a situational decision?
I think the strongest driver was a deep sense of responsibility – I wanted our department to navigate the big change successfully. But it was mostly a rational decision: leading a team with such a diverse agenda requires a thorough understanding of the different areas, and I largely met those criteria.
At the same time, it wasn’t an easy decision because I was still relatively new to CEITEC, and with small children at home, I knew the new role would be challenging. Nevertheless, I decided to go for it. I enjoy challenges and learning new things. And there is a lot to learn now! With so much information coming in, I started systematically noting everything down in a single document so that I can easily search for anything I need using Ctrl+F. I sometimes joke that my brain is now in the computer (laughs).
Who do you work with most often outside of CEITEC – and what does that collaboration look like in practice?
Collaboration with MUNI faculties is part of our daily routine – our PhD candidates are enrolled in programmes at the MUNI Faculty of Science and the Faculty of Medicine, so we are in regular contact with faculty offices, doctoral boards, and the rector’s office. Within the university, we are also involved in several thematic groups – focusing on entrepreneurship, open science, education, and technology transfer.
Additionally, we have strong ties to industry – we organise excursions for early-stage researchers and help connect them with practice. A significant partner in this respect is the innovation agency JIC, with which we are preparing an entrepreneurship academy that, we hope, will strengthen technology transfer. This area is led by my colleague Daniela Tršová, who, in cooperation with MUNI Technology Transfer Office, is building a community around applied research and spin-off creation.
Do you have international connections as well?
Yes, we are in close contact, for example, with EMBL, from which we draw a lot of inspiration. I’m also looking forward to collaborating with Vienna BioCenter, where we will participate this year in their international event Doctoral Insights, which focuses on PhD recruitment. I’m also planning a visit to Spain’s CRG to discuss trends in supporting PhD candidates and entrepreneurship.
This must be a very demanding period for you. What do you see as your biggest challenge?
Maintaining a stable team and managing the communication of our agenda externally. Our team has gone through a lot of changes recently, which can be confusing for PhD candidates and researchers. I am therefore trying to ensure that it’s clear what we do and that information flows clearly to the right people. Only then can our support be effective. Given the wide scope of our department’s activities, we offer both new and existing researchers a closer introduction to the support we can provide.
You are surrounded by scientists at home – your husband, father-in-law, and father are all researchers. Has that influenced your work?
Absolutely. I often say that I know first-hand and without any sugar-coating what scientists think of administration. I have a “test group” at home on which I can trial new ideas (laughs). It helps me to see things from both perspectives – not just as an administrator but also from a scientist’s point of view.
Are you managing to keep a balance between work and personal life?
At the moment, maintaining mental well-being is the priority. I try to do a short exercise session every morning at the office, which helps offset the sedentary nature of the job. It’s certainly an intense period, but I accepted the role with full awareness of that and believe that soon my work and personal life will be back in balance.
My team colleagues have been a major source of strength and support – I’m very grateful to them for their commitment and willingness to help each other, especially now during this period of transition. I believe that thanks to this team spirit, we are able to stay on course and continue supporting science the way CEITEC deserves. And I wish our new colleagues a warm welcome – and most importantly, I hope they will truly enjoy their work with us.
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