Building a sustainable research career in cloud, edge, and Internet computing requires more than technical expertise. Early-career researchers and PhD students often navigate highly competitive environments, limited institutional resources, and structural constraints that may influence visibility, funding opportunities, and long-term independence.
This Research Career Mentorship Session at CCGrid 2026 is designed to provide practical guidance and open discussion on strategic career development in distributed and large-scale computing. The session will combine a short keynote with interactive small-group discussions, creating a space where participants can exchange experiences and explore concrete strategies for building a successful research trajectory.
The event will open with a short keynote on designing a research trajectory and building a sustainable research identity in the field. Following the keynote, participants will join small-group discussions organised around thematic tables, allowing for focused conversations on key aspects of research strategy.
Pipeline planning, managing rejection, and balancing conference and journal publications.
Applying for first projects, navigating funding ecosystems, and building toward larger grants.
Developing an international research profile, invited talks, program committee participation, and networking at conferences.
Building collaborations without large budgets, increasing remote visibility, and leveraging international mobility opportunities.
Each discussion table will conclude with a brief summary highlighting key insights and recommendations shared during the conversation.
The event is open to all CCGrid 2026 participants and aims to support early-career researchers by fostering dialogue, sharing practical experiences, and strengthening international connections within the cloud, edge, and Internet computing community.