Meet the ReO members! Episode 14 - Irina Sakharova

How would you describe yourself in a few words?

My name is Irina, and I work as Program Manager and Company Advisor at ReO, focusing on promoting EU Research & Innovation (R&I) funding opportunities and advising EPFL researchers as well as R&D intensive companies (amongst which many EPFL spin-offs). I like in particular supporting research outcomes moving into future innovative and promising solutions, and even enterprises. In this regard, EPFL is a “gold mine” and a tremendous source of inspiration!

What has been your career path?

I hold Masters in political sciences and public management; later I studied communications. I started my career in strategy consultancy, an exciting environment as you get to work with very diverse clients, spanning from public hospitals to banks, UN agencies and NGOs. You get to know very different working environments and mindsets and you get the chance to work with very diverse people. Later I specialized in economic development, supporting the growth of companies across Geneva and Vaud. This is how I came to join EPFL in 2015, taking over company advisory for EU R&I projects for Vaud and later expending my work to support EPFL researchers. I joined EPFL at an interesting time as in the past two decades, the economy really pivoted towards an R&I focus. The trend is not new, but its magnitude is now huge.

What does a “Program Manager and Company Advisor” do at the EPFL Research Office?

I support EPFL researchers and companies in exploring funding opportunities, helping to identify most relevant calls, depending on topics or, in case of companies, the funding goals. When a specific funding opportunity is identified, I help clients to understand the requirements and eligibility conditions. I also advise them for budgeting and consortia structuring, with a proposal evaluation and advisory role on grants for business innovation. When we get a positive evaluation, I support clients with information and advice on project management, key elements for ensuring costs eligibility.

What is driving you in your job?

I love advising my clients on new calls. Often people research opportunities by themselves but at the Research Office we are here to help them identify new funding sources and thematic calls matching their research interests. We have the tools and the experience and we benefit also from the strong Euresearch network that we activate to provide specialized call advisory, partner search tips and support, proposal reviews and much more… and all of this for free. Overall, seeing my clients succeeding and securing funding for projects drives me the most.

What are the main challenges you are facing on a daily basis?

I would say that at present the status of Switzerland in Horizon Europe is the main challenge. Although many collaborative funding opportunities are accessible to Swiss researchers and companies, with direct funding through Swiss government (SERI) and transitional measures put in place by Switzerland, we need to pay attention to specifics of each call and well support our researchers in communicating the necessary information to consortia. But it’s a challenge I am happy to take up: the money is there and numerous calls are awaiting our labs and companies!

Outside EPFL, what do you enjoy doing the most?

I love being in nature with my family and friends. However, no outing is complete without my dogs! The best is hiking or cross-country skiing with them, preferably around Sils Maria/Val Fex, one of my favorite places on Earth. As it is rather far away, the Jura makes a good compromise, although rules are surprisingly more lax in Engadin – there you can ski cross-country with your dogs and no one cares. I am also a big fan when it comes to theatre and art exhibitions. Often foreigners coming to Switzerland complain about lack of cultural scene. I believe it is a matter of perspective: the variety is actually huge; you just need to consider the country as a great metropolis and then you realize how rich and diverse the offer is.

What are your life and/or career aspirations?

As I get older, I appreciate even more the exceptional chance I have to work in a friendly and open scientific environment supporting my natural curiosity, in daily contact with bright people and interesting projects. My career aspirations are therefore to continue to do my best to support all people and projects that can benefit from my expertise: it is great seeing them succeeding and moving forward!

Meet the rest of the team!