It took a few days to get a response. That is all. A few days, and the email from the Cergy lab read: yes, your thesis aligns with our research here. For Claudia Cojan, a materials science PhD student from Cluj-Napoca, that speed was both a relief and a revelation — a small sign of something larger about how science moves when institutions decide to trust each other. She is now two months into a five-month stay funded by the EUTOPIA Health mobility programme, working on biocomposites for dental implants and discovering, along the way, what a European research alliance actually feels like from the inside. An interview by Anna Zaichenko.
Could you briefly introduce yourself and describe your area of research?
My name is Claudia Andreea Cojan. I come from Romania, specifically from Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj-Napoca. I am currently in the third year of my PhD studies in materials science. My research focuses on advanced ceramics for biomedical applications. I came here to extend my research scope. The team here specialises in biological analysis, which serves as a great complementary component to my thesis.
How did you first hear about the EUTOPIA_Health exchange mobility programme?
Through several channels. First, the university posted about EUTOPIA and EUTOPIA_Health on social media. I had already been looking for different programmes to apply to for a while. Additionally, my PhD supervisor is involved in the program, so I thought, “Why not?”
Could you describe the selection process? Was it competitive, difficult?
It was relatively straightforward. We were well-informed about everything that needed to be prepared. The most difficult part is finding a collaborator who will respond. In that regard, I was quite lucky; generally, people in France respond very quickly. I received a response from this lab within a few days that said, “Yes, we believe your thesis aligns with our research here.”
The only downside, from my perspective, is that you receive the final answer quite close to the start date. In France, searching for accommodation at the last minute can be difficult. In my case, it worked out well because I found a place in Cergy, very close to the lab.
Did the university help you find accommodation in Cergy, or did you find it yourself?
You can ask them for help, but there is usually more support available for those coming through Erasmus, where you apply several months in advance. In my case, I only had about three weeks, so I preferred to handle it myself.
Did you apply to other universities within the alliance, and did you use the EUTOPIA_Health Researchers Map?
I used the Researchers Map exclusively. It’s the easiest way for everyone to navigate because the people listed there already know about EUTOPIA and are very willing to help. I wasn’t looking for a specific country or university, but rather for supervisors whose expertise matched my research. Ultimately, I only applied here.
Have you set specific research objectives for these five months?
I have three main objectives. First, to perform additional analysis on samples I previously prepared in Romania. I’m working on biocomposites used for dental implants. Second, to work on new preparations — this is where I use the local resources the most. I’m focusing on surface preparation and bioactivation, which is their speciality. Third, I plan to publish the results: while I may attend a conference, the main focus is writing an article.
Do you need to produce a report for the EUTOPIA_Health head office?
Yes, I have a general report due at the three-month mark and a final report at the end. There is also a short monthly report regarding my activities and what new skills I’ve learned.
How would you describe your first two months here?
They have been great, actually better than expected. I wasn’t sure how well I would integrate, mostly because while I have a B1 level in French, it’s “passive,” meaning I understand everyone but still struggle to speak. However, people have been incredibly friendly. The professors were very proactive in organising meetings and offering help.
Within the first week, I already started learning new microbiological analysis techniques. There are nine other PhD students here, as well as Master’s students, so it’s easy to collaborate and get real-time feedback on my research. We all get along very well.
What are the main differences between CY Cergy Paris University and Babeș-Bolyai University in Cluj, apart from the team size?
Definitely the infrastructure and the speed at which you receive support or materials. In my home country, I can do some of the things I’m doing here, but I have to collaborate across several different teams and faculties, which delays everything. Materials can take months to arrive. Here, everything is very efficient; many things are already available in the lab.
Are there any cultural differences?
Regarding cultural differences, I’d say the biggest one is the lunch break! It’s a very nice time for talking and relaxing. I’ve also noticed that people here are very efficient.
So you’ve managed to balance your work with a social life?
Yes. It was important to me because I’m staying for five months. It would be a shame to stay only in the lab and not enjoy Paris.
Did you choose the five-month duration yourself?
Yes, you can choose the period. I decided on five months to ensure I got better results. I expected the first month to be dedicated to discovering how things work and deciding on a plan. Preparation can be difficult at first as you get to know people and they learn how best to support your work.
Did you have an integration day?
It wasn’t formally called that, but the first two days were an introduction. The first day was about finding the office and meeting the other PhD students. The second day focused on discussing my research with my supervisor and other academics to see if they had any additional ideas.
Could you describe a typical day in the lab?
We usually arrive around 8:30 or 9:00 AM. We start with a coffee, then head to the lab to work on samples and exchange ideas. I also spend time in the PhD office at my laptop analysing results. For example, I’m currently trying to identify specific phases in the materials I’m working on. At lunch, we eat and have coffee together — since it’s warm now, we enjoy the weather outside. Afterwards, I return to work before heading home or going into Paris for the evening.
It sounds like you have a good work-life balance?
My agreement is for five hours a day, so it isn’t a standard eight-hour full-time schedule. That gives me enough time to enjoy life. Most of my colleagues finish around 5:00 or 6:00 PM. Every Friday we have a general meeting where one of us presents our research topics. I did mine in my second week. It’s a great initiative because you get to see what everyone is working on, and sometimes external collaborators are invited to present as well.
What are your priorities for the remaining months?
Definitely to finish characterising my samples and then focus on writing the final article. That is the main goal for the final month: writing and dissemination.
Do you think this experience will lead to long-term collaborations?
Yes. Cergy already collaborates with us through programmes such as Erasmus+. One of my teachers here is planning a visit to my home university. Even though their focus isn’t strictly on ceramics, they are very open to it. I expect to collaborate on specific topics in the future.
Ideally, I would like to continue with a postdoc, and it would be great to come back to France. I feel that the PhD and postdoc years are the best times to explore different facilities and gain new skills. I love Romania, so I eventually want to go back and share that knowledge with students there.
EUTOPIA_Health Mobility Programme details:
https://eutopia-university.eu/blog/opportunities/mobility-programme-for-young-researchers/
