Young Swiss Society for Neuroscience 

On January 30th, 2026, the young Swiss Society for Neuroscience (ySSN) welcomed early-career neuroscientists from across Switzerland to Bern for NeuroRoutes, an afternoon dedicated to career exploration, practical skills and meaningful connections.
The event opened with an inspiring keynote by Prof. Dr. Sarah Meissner (ETH Zürich), who shared her journey from undergraduate studies to establishing her own research group as an early-career PI. Her personal perspective on navigating academic milestones and building a research career created a motivating start to the afternoon.
Participants then joined parallel hands-on workshops. One session, led by Dr. Elizabeth Amadei and Dr. Reinhard Loidl, focused on building effective academic presentation skills, offering participants a space to reflect on how they communicate their research. In parallel, Dr. Pierre De Rossi guided attendees through the complexities of job hunting, drawing on his own transition from academia to industry and offering practical CV and career tips.
The next workshop round featured Prof. Dr. Géraldine Coppin, who shared key moments from her academic journey including both successes and setbacks, offering candid insights into the realities of academic careers. Alongside this, Dr Lina Teichmann presented her experiences working across multiple countries, providing advice on academic mobility and building international collaborations.
In the evening, the event concluded with a structured group activity focused on sharing experiences and perspectives, followed by a networking apéro that encouraged informal discussions and new connections.
NeuroRoutes 2026 offered an inspiring space to learn, exchange ideas and connect, supporting young neuroscientists as they navigate their diverse career paths.