Meet the ReO members! Episode 13 - Maryam Majidian
© Maryam Majidian
Meet the ReO members! is a series aimed at introducing the EPFL Research Office members. Meet Maryam Majidian, Programme Manager, in the thirteenth episode!
How would you describe yourself in a few words?
My name is Maryam, and I am the Programme Manager of Innovation-oriented funding schemes in the Research Office. I am from Iran, moved to Switzerland for my PhD, and have lived here for over ten years now. I still describe myself as a researcher: Always curious and love searching for and learning new things.
What has been your career path?
I got my PhD in materials science at EPFL in Dec 2016. After that, I worked as a post-doc in collaboration with the watch industry, co-founded a startup, worked as a technical project leader for an international printer company, and then eventually came back to EPFL. I joined the ReO in February 2022 as a Programme Manager in the national and non-profit funding team. I am in charge of funding schemes with the goal of market entry, such as Innosuisse, BRIDGE, Gebert Rüf Stiftung, etc. As you noticed, I did not follow a linear career path; however, I have always been working at the interface between academia and industry.
What does a “Programme Manager” do at the EPFL Research Office?
As a Programme Manager, my job is to support EPFL researchers throughout the whole process of winning a grant: finding and promoting funding opportunities, organizing applicant workshops and guiding researchers at the proposal phase, helping them to get ready for interviews, implementing the projects according to EPFL regulations, and (depending on the funding scheme) supporting them during the lifecycle of the projects. Luckily, I have the support of my great team members, as well as the collaboration of our colleagues in TTO and VPI units, in this process.
What is driving you in your job?
The most interesting part of my job is being in touch with the state-of-the-art projects in various domains, which hopefully will come into application soon. It is very interesting to get to know many innovative ideas and see the research and technology trends. I am happy to help our researchers in making a step forward in their journey, and of course the positive feedbacks we are receiving from them is very rewarding.
What are the main challenges you are facing on a daily basis?
As a Programme Manager, one needs to deal with a wide range of activities on a daily basis: collaborating with people from different backgrounds (research, finance, ethics, legal), working on multiple projects at different phases, and using various management and communication tools. Switching between many tasks during one day can be very interesting and challenging at the same time. One thing is certain: you never get bored!
Outside EPFL, what do you enjoy doing the most?
My first passion has always been reading. In recent years, this has been transforming to listening to the Podcasts, which I actively promote by the way :D. I love hanging out with my family and friends, and am always up to try a new restaurant and discover good food!
What are your life and/or career aspirations?
I have always cared about womens’ empowerment in their personal and professional lives. Especially as an Iranian, for the last five months I have had one motto: “Woman, Life, Freedom”