What is the CogniGron Talent Network (CTN)?

With researchers of CogniGron spread across different departments and disciplines — from physics to AI to materials science — it became clear that something was needed to build stronger connections and support across the centre. Enter the CogniGron Talent Network, or CTN, which took shape in early 2024 with one goal in mind: to bring together the PhD candidates and postdocs who make up the heart of CogniGron. 

The CTN started with a simple structure: one representative from each research group, each bringing their own expertise and perspective to the table. The current team consists of the following members: Otavio, working at the intersection of physics, computer science, and machine learning; Martin, with a focus on materials science; Jordi, combining physics and artificial intelligence; and Safiere, specialising in computational mathematics. Together with their alumnus Jan, they laid the groundwork for what the CTN is today: a platform for connection, collaboration, and communication across the diverse CogniGron community.

Activities within CTN 

One of the core activities of the CTN is a monthly lecture series designed not only to showcase cutting-edge research, but also to introduce fundamental concepts in neuromorphic computing. The goal is to make CogniGron’s research more accessible across fields, so that a talk on neuromorphic hardware isn’t lost on someone working with ferroic materials, or vice versa. Topics so far have ranged from symmetry in materials science to spiking neural networks, offering researchers a common language for complex ideas. 

But CTN isn’t just about knowledge-sharing, it’s also about community. Every other month, the team organises social events, from lab tours and poster sessions to bowling nights and boat trips. These gatherings help researchers connect outside their specific projects and foster a stronger sense of belonging across the centre. 

Onboarding and representation 

Another key focus has been improving the onboarding experience for new PhD candidates. That means making sure that newcomers are added to the mailing list, invited to events and lectures, etc. In the future, CTN aims to match new PhD students with a more experienced peer through a buddy system. The hope is to make the first months at CogniGron feel a little less disorienting and a lot more welcoming. The CTN also acts as a bridge between early-career researchers and the management team, with regular meetings that help surface needs, suggestions, and ideas.

Looking ahead 

One area gaining traction is industry engagement. After interest from several researchers at the recent Research Away Day, the CTN is now exploring how to bring companies into the picture through events, internships, or career-oriented collaborations. There's also growing momentum around connecting with student associations, organising larger retreats, and finding new ways to support the community in both academic and practical terms.

An invitation to collaborate 

The CTN isn’t just looking inward. One of its key ambitions is to connect more actively with the world beyond CogniGron, especially with companies and student initiatives interested in neuromorphic computing, AI, materials science, and related fields. Whether it’s through guest talks, internship opportunities, career fairs, or collaborative events, the CTN is keen to build connections that open up new perspectives for early-career researchers and partners alike. 

For organisations curious about what’s happening at the cutting edge of computing in Groningen, this is an open invitation: reach out, get involved, and start a conversation. You can contact CTN at ctn rug.nl.