Young Researcher’s Compass

ROBOPROX research leaders initiated a series of practical insights and proven advice to guide early-career scientists on their path to success and excellent research.

Hands-on guidelines will be published regularly in both electronic and printed form in the Czech Technical University magazine “Pražská technika”.

The authors of this series and the editors of Pražská technika welcome opinions on the topics of individual articles, as well as insights from both students, junior and experienced scientists. The discussion is open here on the Roboprox website, and we plan to publish readers’ responses in the university magazine.

The goal of this endeavour is to summarise the basic facts that can help young scientists do good work and be successful. The individual articles will focus on the following topics:

On the path to cutting-edge research (by Zdeněk Hanzálek)

1. Twelve good reasons to publish in top journals. (by Michael Šebek)
2. Why and how to compete for prestigious projects? (by Jan Zeman)
3. Why submit articles and attend the best conferences?
4. Why do applied research that someone will use?
5. What does it mean to be a doctoral student?
6. Why go on internships abroad?
7. Why spend time with the best students?
8. Publication ethics, or how to remain a normal person.

Many of us started our first year of study at CTU with the vision that one day we would do something interesting that would benefit people and contribute to scientific and technological progress. Something like what Karel Čapek says in his novel Krakatit: “So that it would be very useful. And so that it would also shine and give off heat, you know?” I think it will be very beneficial if we stick to this “sky-high” vision so that we are not crushed by various life situations and pseudo-obligations that lead us into the “depths of hell.” The best, such as Otto Wichterle and Antonín Holý, had, I believe, a very similar vision.

If we manage to successfully complete our studies, find an interesting topic for our doctorate, and finish it with original results, our well-wishing colleagues pat us on the back and we are placed in the “young and promising” category. The life of the young and promising is bathed in sunshine. They are invited everywhere, partly because they are hard-working, but mainly because they are young and promising. And so it may happen that we succumb to a certain intoxication and somehow postpone our original vision in the style of “I’ll just sort out a few minor details today and start properly tomorrow.” But I don’t start, and scientific and technological progress fails to materialize. At the same time, I enjoy the freedom of the academic environment, where I can choose what to research, but I often become a victim of this freedom because I can’t make up my mind.

After a few years, an interesting turning point comes when people stop patting us on the back, we are no longer young and promising, and we understand that the “time of games and unripe raspberries” is over. This turning point comes, for example, when someone asks us not only to do a given job (imperfective aspect), but also to finish it (perfective aspect). Here, Czech grammar is very helpful in distinguishing between those who “were writing an article or algorithm” and others who “wrote an article or algorithm.” Another interesting situation arises when someone asks us to not only spend money, but also earn it.

It is difficult to say exactly what a person should do at this turning point to avoid falling into the depths of hell and turning their life into a festival of wasted opportunities. However, there are certainly a few basic facts that are good to know. These are often hidden, manipulated, and disputed by those who have not been very successful. They become the subject of endless discussions at meetings that lead nowhere. As an example, I will mention the question of whether publications at conferences or in journals are more important. The answer is very simple: publications at the best conferences and in the best journals are important. The community knows which conferences and journals are the best, and we find this out when we apply for a postdoc position and the members of the admissions committee ask us if we have such publications. Another tricky question is how to recognize a good application. Again, the answer is very simple: it is one that has prevailed in competition and is being used by someone.

Once upon a time, there was a young scientist – let’s call him Jenda Český. He had many great achievements and published most of them in the world’s best journals. Except for one, which later turned out to be a groundbreaking discovery, let’s call it the “Revolutionary Formula”. It ended up by mistake in a mediocre journal, and no one noticed it there. A few years later, a certain John American had the same idea. However, he published his “Revolutionary Formula” in a prestigious journal.
And suddenly everything was different: it brought him worldwide fame, the result made it into textbooks, and the world knows it as “American’s Revolutionary Formula”. Only in our country do we add Jenda’s name to it, but in vain – the global community doesn’t care. Jenda Český lost this fame, but he learned his lesson: since then, he has published in the right magazines!

Learn from this story and send your articles straight to top magazines! Don’t end up like Jenda. In fact, there are other compelling reasons for this, and I will list twelve of them:

1. More eyes see more: Prestigious journals are read by many experts from around the world, so your results have a better chance of reaching all specialists and inspiring colleagues working in related fields. In an average journal, hardly anyone will discover them.
2. A better address inspires confidence: Readers are well aware that articles in top journals have undergone a rigorous review process, so they are more likely to give them a chance. With weaker journals, they will doubt whether they are even worth reading.
3. Greater impact and many citations: An article in a top journal has a better chance of not only being noticed by colleagues, but also being used in their work and cited. This increases your actual contribution to the development of the scientific field and the overall weight of your work.
4. Top-notch reviews at your service: Only a truly significant journal can afford to carefully select reviewers. And the comments of those who understand your article and really devote themselves to it are priceless. It may hurt a little, but in the end you will have a better article and sometimes even a better result.
5. Quality reviewers will help you grow: Quality reviewers will not only improve the article under review, but will often teach you something new and inspire you to further research. And that’s good for your future career.
6. Certainty that it makes sense: A thorough review process and subsequent feedback from readers around the world will verify whether your research really makes sense and brings new insights. As authors, we can often have a biased view, so the opinion of independent experts is invaluable.

7. There is only one priority: Publication in a reputable journal is clear proof that you were the first in the world to make the discovery. If Jenda had known this earlier, he could have saved himself the disappointment.
8. Reputation counts: Colleagues, reviewers, and grant committees keep track of where you publish. Publications in prestigious journals are a signal to them that you are good and that you are recognized by the scientific community. In addition, publications in high-quality journals are a key criterion in the evaluation of researchers—both in terms of career advancement and remuneration.
9. The global community is waiting: When the best in the field know about you, it is easier to get involved in international projects. You may receive invitations to lecture at prestigious conferences, internships with renowned groups, or direct collaboration with global stars.
10. Textbooks and the history of science: Original discoveries published at the highest level have a major impact on future research – and often become the basis for what future generations learn. If your discovery inspires a number of colleagues, it can guarantee you a permanent place in textbooks.
11. Fame is attractive: Publications in top journals will elevate you to a higher level not only among your colleagues, but often also in the eyes of students, doctoral students, postdocs, and institutional leaders. You will become attractive and gain more space for your future ideas.
12. Higher self-confidence and motivation: Every publication in a top journal is a huge success. You will have more confidence and be more eager to continue your work.

1. You are not alone. Begin by reaching out to colleagues who have already experienced the process. You might be surprised by how approachable they are, even those in senior positions or outside your immediate research circle. Many will gladly share their experiences, highlight common pitfalls (such as not paying attention to all the evaluation criteria because there is no second “review” round), and even share their successful and unsuccessful applications with you. After all, they, too, almost certainly received comparable support at key moments in their careers.

At the same time, you can rely on CTU’s support. Since 2022, the Faculty of Civil Engineering has piloted a support program that has helped young researchers develop five projects recommended for funding (being among the top 10-15%) in competitive international calls. This proven model is now being expanded across the entire university. Additionally, ERC applicants can count on a nationwide team of specialists providing focused, interdisciplinary guidance. Also thanks to their help, Charles University, for example, achieved twice the European average success rate for 2024 ERC proposals. All these resources stand ready to guide you through the demanding process of proposal preparation. You just need to take the initiative and make the most of them.

2. Even failure counts. Most grant applications do not succeed on the first try, but that does not mean the effort is wasted. Writing a proposal sharpens your skills in planning, communication, and presenting new research ideas, abilities that will serve you well in any career. It also forces you to think about your medium- and long-term goals and begin shaping your own research agenda, something daily routines rarely allow. And if time is short, it is perfectly fine to ask colleagues for temporary help with teaching or administrative tasks so you can focus fully on your proposal.

Even if you do not secure funding in the end, reviewers usually provide valuable feedback. Their comments give you a chance to rethink, revise, and strengthen your ideas, perhaps in a completely different funding call. Every submission teaches important lessons and highlights areas for personal growth.

3. Learn from the best. Competing for prestigious grants is more than just securing funding; it is an opportunity to compare yourself to ambitious peers beyond the “little Czech pond.” The experience may often feel uncomfortable, but it is highly instructive and can change how you view your work and achievements so far.

Your chances of success improve when your CV presents a clear story of professional growth rather than simply listing positions and publications. By benchmarking against top researchers, you learn how to highlight your strengths in a way that stands out internationally. The same applies to your proposal: it is read by leading experts and compared to the strongest projects in the field, giving you rare insights into what makes your ideas competitive. Lessons like these are hard to find elsewhere, and they will support you throughout your career.

4. Shape your path. Every proposal you submit moves you toward more independence, shifting from implementing your mentors’ ideas to developing your own research focus. Writing and leading a project teach you to set priorities, build collaboration networks, and assemble a team around your vision.

Of course, obtaining funding involves extra paperwork, but it also provides freedom: the freedom to select your topics, explore exciting ideas, and mentor others in their professional growth. In many ways, developing intellectual independence is just as important as gaining financial independence. This is your opportunity to define your own path.

5. Share to grow. If possible, share your project ideas, whether they are early sketches, polished proposals, or even unsuccessful attempts, with colleagues who might be interested. This kind of openness often sparks collaboration and can inspire others, even in fields that seem far from your own. It is natural to worry that someone might “steal” your idea, but this fear is often exaggerated. In reality, many researchers develop similar ideas independently, and what really matters is the ability to execute them. By sharing, you not only create a clear record of your authorship but also increase the likelihood of finding partners who can help bring your vision to life. In the long run, generosity usually pays off more than it risks.

Open Discussion – Share your thoughts with us

The authors of this series and the editors of Pražská technika welcome opinions on the topics of individual articles, as well as insights from both students, junior and experienced scientists. The discussion is open here, and we plan to publish readers’ responses in the university magazine.

If you’d like to share feedback on multiple topics or articles, please submit a separate entry for each one using the same form. We will forward your feedback to the respective author(s) of the selected article as well as to the editors of Pražská technika.