The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network experience

Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Networks bring together universities, research institutes, companies and other organisations to train doctoral researchers in international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral environments. Their ambition goes beyond supporting individual research projects. They aim to equip a new generation of researchers with the scientific expertise, transferable skills, professional networks and broader perspectives needed to build successful careers within and beyond academia.

EvoMG-DN embraces this vision by creating a European training environment around the emerging field of Evolutionary Medical Genomics. The network combines evolutionary biology, genomics, mathematical modelling, machine learning and biomedical research to train 15 Doctoral Candidates to approach complex health challenges from new perspectives.

Through collaborative research, network-wide training and mobility across institutions, disciplines and sectors, EvoMG-DN aims to develop researchers who can move confidently between different scientific environments and translate evolutionary thinking into innovative approaches to ageing, cancer and infectious

Doctoral candidates at the centre

At the heart of EvoMG-DN are its 15 Doctoral Candidates. Each candidate develops an individual research project while being part of a wider network that encourages collaboration, mobility, independence and scientific exchange.
Training combines advanced research skills with transferable competencies such as project management, scientific communication, research integrity, Open Science, entrepreneurship and career development. Each Doctoral Candidate develops a Personal Career Development Plan together with their supervisors, allowing training activities to respond to individual scientific interests, skills and professional aspirations. Mobility is a central part of this experience. Major and micro-secondments expose Doctoral Candidates to complementary disciplines, laboratories and working environments across the network. Placements with non-academic partners provide additional experience in areas such as biotechnology, diagnostics, entrepreneurship, scientific publishing and research funding. In this way, EvoMG-DN prepares its researchers for diverse careers across academia, industry and the wider research and innovation ecosystem.

Equality, diversity and inclusion

EvoMG-DN is committed to an open, inclusive, transparent and merit-based research and training environment. Equal opportunities and the prevention of gender, nationality and other forms of bias are integrated into the network’s approach to recruitment, supervision, training and mobility. The project also recognises that diversity is scientifically relevant. Sex and ancestry can influence ageing, cancer risk and responses to infectious diseases. Where scientifically appropriate, these dimensions are therefore incorporated into the design and analysis of EvoMG-DN research projects. By combining inclusive working practices with attention to diversity in research itself, EvoMG-DN aims to contribute to a research culture in which different perspectives and backgrounds strengthen scientific excellence.

Environmental sustainability and our MSCA Green Charter commitment

EvoMG-DN embraces the principles of the MSCA Green Charter and integrates environmental considerations into the implementation of the network.

At researcher level, the project encourages lower-carbon travel options such as public transport, cycling and walking whenever feasible, together with the use of online meetings when physical travel is not necessary. Sustainable accommodation options are also encouraged for project-related travel. At institutional level, EvoMG-DN promotes environmentally responsible purchasing, including the use of reusable, recyclable or biodegradable alternatives to single-use materials whenever possible. At consortium level, sustainability is considered when planning network meetings, schools and other events, including decisions related to travel, accommodation, catering, printed materials and event organisation. Online and hybrid formats are used where they provide an effective alternative to physical meetings. The MSCA Green Charter will also be discussed with Doctoral Candidates as part of their network experience, helping them consider the environmental impact of their own research activities and professional choices.