Meet the ReO members! Episode 8 - Pierre-Yves Fonjallaz

How would you describe yourself in a few words?

My name is Pierre-Yves, I am a programme manager in the Research Office (ReO) EU funding team. Before joining the ReO, I had already worked on 15 EU projects. In my work at the ReO, I bring my experience and enthusiasm to support and encourage EPFL laboratories to participate in EU calls and feel good about it!

What has been your career path?

I did my PhD in physics at EPFL. I researched how the properties of glass optical fibres can be modified with UV light. This research topic was exciting for both the science and for its many applications. During my PhD, I met my first wife, a Swedish PhD student in Prof. Graetzel’s lab. I thus decided to go to Stockholm with a one-year Postdoc financed by the Swiss National Science Foundation (SNSF). I ended up living there for twenty-two more years! During that time, I continued to do research in the field of photonics. I became team leader of the fibre optics group of the RISE institute and fostered numerous collaborations between RISE and the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in the field of photonics. At some point, after 15 years, I had the dream of “doing something really useful for society” so I started a consulting company to help municipalities create telecentres to reduce commuting. As it ended up being much more difficult and risky than expected, I re-directed my company’s efforts to support PhotonicSweden, the Swedish photonics association that I had founded some years earlier. But I could not resist Switzerland’s calling. So, four years ago, I moved back to Lausanne, and EPFL, joining the Research Office EU team at 80% and Swissphotonics at 20%. I am really grateful to be able to use my past experience in EU projects and photonics in my daily work!

What does a Programme Manager do at the EPFL Research Office?

Most of my job is about anticipating and solving problems that laboratories may be confronted with when managing EU collaborative projects. Swiss organizations can participate in over 90% of the collaborative actions. I am doing my best to show that things are less complicated than it seems. De-dramatizing helps a lot!

What is driving you in your job?

I am a firm believer in the “European project” and I wish Switzerland was fully part of it to have more influence. I am convinced that collaboration at the European level is key to solve our most pressing problems, including the survival of our planet.

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

I help researchers make sense of the maze of rules surrounding EU funding, turning frustration into solutions. I encourage them to see the opportunities in taking advantage of the Horizon Europe collaborative calls, which are very much open to Swiss-based researchers despite the non-association.

Outside EPFL, what do you enjoy doing the most?

I love singing, rowing, cycling and contemplating nature. But I have the best time with my wife and my sons.

What are your life and/or career aspirations?

I believe in the importance of data-driven decisions and using the data at our disposal to analyse and inform positions. I can certainly do more for EPFL in that respect. My drive for research is still very much there!

Meet the rest of the team!