When was HDBMB JS established?

HDBMB JS was established 2020, but the idea was born before the COVID pandemic.

How many members do you have?

HDBMB has 500 members in total and 50 members are young scientists and are part of HDBMB YSF.

Do you have a specific structure?

HDBMB JS has members across Croatia and board members are located in different regions and cities. Furthermore, our members are involved in different research areas introducing diversity to HDBMB JS. Although we have members from different regions, most of the events take place in the central branch. HDBMB JS board members are involved in organizing various activities, where we share responsibilities around organizing these events. Furthermore, we have a coordinator, who is joint vice-president of the main society and of HDBMB JS and who supervises our actions.

What activities do you do?

We have already organized social events, as well as participated in the 2021 FEBS Congress and the Young Scientists' Forum. Our social events were in the form of a Costume ball and a Scientific barbecue, in association with Young researchers of HPD – the Croatian Society for Natural Sciences. For future social activities, first we plan to organize a Pub quiz so the participants can test their knowledge not only in science but in other topics as well. Furthermore, as winter is coming, we are going to plan something called Scientific after work, where PhD students and postdocs will be able to present their research in a cozy and friendly atmosphere. We also plan to organize Costume ball and Scientific barbecue again, because young researchers can get to know each other better in an informal and relaxing environment.

How does it fit into HDBMB?

We work together with the main society, since we have a coordinator who is the vice-president of HDBMB and of the Junior Section.

Do you have a budget?

We do not have a defined budget and we ask for approval from the main society for all costs, but mostly no more than 100 euro is spent for the organizations of smaller events.

How do you recruit more members?

We recruit them through social networks and by sharing news through the intranets of our institutes, and the faculties were most of us work.

What do you think motivates students and young researchers to volunteer for HDBMB JS?

Primarily connecting with the scientific community. It is easier to approach the Society first through its younger members to “break free” and it will then be easier for them to work with senior members later. We also always offer special scholarships for members, annual awards, etc. In addition, gatherings of young scientists are organized twice a year with the aim of recruiting new members and networking with existing ones.

What are the HDBMB JS aims for the FEBS Junior Section?

Our aims are to promote a community with a positive outlook for the future, to network with everyone, share positive and negative experiences, strengthen the confidence of young scientists, and encourage them to be actively involved in the scientific community, in the project applications, collaborations and scholarships, all in synergy with other FEBS Junior Section.

Creating a new Junior Section?

If you are interested in creating a new Junior Section in your Society, or consolidate an existing one, we encourage you to read the posts and watch the videos from the other Junior Sections (Junior-GBM, ÖGMBT’s Young Life Scientists Austria (YLSA), SIB Sezione Giovani, Young NVBMB, SEBBM Junior Consuls, and the Biochemical Society’s Early Career Advisory Panel). And if your Society already has a Junior Section, please get in touch!

Help us spread the word about the FEBS Junior Section initiative by sharing our post on Junior Sections and overview video in your country and research community. Thank you!