EuCheMS Brussels News Updates, June 2015

General European Highlights

(Re)searching for Jobs
This event, which took place in Brussels on the 2 June and was chaired by MEP Catherine Stihler, brought together academia, industry, policy-makers and citizens to discuss the many barriers that young researchers face when entering the labour market. Discussion was underpinned by the first European Employment Survey for Chemists and Chemical Engineers. Presentations, available here, were followed by questions from the audience on how to further develop the quality of curricula and how to innovate in contents. Providing long-term financial incentives from the EU, was mentioned as a possible solution. Other questions revolved around the discrepancies in job opportunities and salaries between EU countries which shall be harmonised to avoid a vicious circle where low GDP countries educate students that after will be “forced” to move abroad, thus not contributing to the creation of value in their original countries. More info can be found at Chemical & Engineering News.
Source: http://www.euchems.eu/news/

The First European Employment Survey for Chemists and Chemical Engineers
Which country pays its chemists and chemical engineers the highest salaries? Where can a chemist find a new job the quickest? Which chemical sub-discipline offers most jobs? Reliable answers for these and other questions have been derived from the first European employment survey for chemists and chemical engineers, which might be the first of a regular series. The survey was carried out in 2013 and its results have now been published at Chemistry- a European Journal under DOI: 10.1002/chem.201501364.
The pdf version of the survey is available here, the html version is available here.
Source: http://www.euchems.eu/news/
 
Graphene Discussed at the European Parliament
Bendable and transparent smart phones, lighter air planes... All this and much more could soon become reality thanks to graphene. On 2 June at the STOA workshop chaired by Member of European Parliament Paul Rübig, MEPs discussed with experts the potential of using graphene in various sectors, from electronics to health. Over the next 10 years the EU will invest €1 billion in developing graphene-based technologies through the Graphene Flagship initiative, which is part of the Horizon 2020 programme. During his intervention, Nobel Prize laureate Konstantin Novoselov, who co-discovered graphene, said: “The most important outcome would be that Europe keeps playing a leading role in innovation and production. By the end of the 10 years [of the Flagship programme], we need to have the new graphene - the next wonder material.”
Source: http://www.europarl.europa.eu/news/
 
EU-Japan Cooperation in Research
A new agreement was signed to encourage young top scientists in Japan to join European Research Council (ERC) research teams in Europe. The President of the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), Prof.Yuichiro  Anzai, and the European Commission's  Deputy  Director-General  for Research and Innovation,  Dr Wolfgang Burtscher, signed  the agreement which will allow recipients of the JSPS's Research Fellowships for Young Scientists, who can come to Europe for scientific visits, temporarily becoming part of teams led by ERC grant holders.
Source: http://erc.europa.eu/
 
10^th Edition of the EU Sustainable Energy Week
The 10^th edition of the EU Sustainable Energy Week (EUSEW) takes place this week from 15^th to 19^th June. Since its start, the EUSEW has become the key European event for public authorities, energy agencies, private companies, NGOs and industry associations working to meet the EU's energy and climate goals. It features activities dedicated to energy efficiency and renewable energy solutions all over Europe.
Source: https://ec.europa.eu/energy/
 
Montenegro Now a Full Member Country of COST
Last month the Committee of Senior Officials (CSO) of the COST Association admitted Montenegro as the 36^th Member of the COST Association.
Based on a European intergovernmental framework for cooperation in science and technology, COST has been contributing - since its creation in 1971 - to closing the gap between science, policy makers and society. COST supports trans-national cooperation among researchers, engineers and scholars across Europe.
Source: http://www.cost.eu/media/

Funding Updates and Awards

Consultations and Roadmaps

Business Updates

Measuring REACH and CLP Enforcement - New Study 
The enforcement of EU legislation plays an essential role in ensuring that the Internal Market for goods works effectively so as to create jobs and growth. This is a top priority for the current Commission. In this context, and following a recommendation of the REACH review published in 2013, the Directorate-General for Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs, has mandated work to develop a set of indicators to measure and monitor the enforcement of two key regulations on chemicals: REACH and CLP. A report on the results of the study, proposing 50 enforcement indicators for regulations on chemicals, has now been published.
Source: http://ec.europa.eu/growth/
 
The SME Instrument: Some Hints for Greater Success 
Since its 2014 launch the SME instrument has attracted applications from across Europe. But the quality is low, with only 12% passing the quality threshold. Bernd Reichert, head of unit at the Executive Agency for SMEs, offers tips for success in a Science|Business article.
The Commission is receiving many applications for grants from its SME instrument, but only 12% are meeting the criteria for commercialisation potential. The remaining 88% come from SMEs that have potentially good ideas but are unlikely to succeed. Resubmitting proposals or giving greater focus to the business plan are some of the proposed tips.
Source: http://www.sciencebusiness.net/news/

Upcoming EuCheMS Recognised Events

Forthcoming Events

Workshop on Endangered Elements, Brussels, 22 September 2015 - Save the Date!

The Chemist Towards Europe and the World @ Expo 2015

6th EuCheMS Chemistry Congress

EuCheMS Newsletter May Issue