A. Cammarota , A.R. Siebenhüner , C. Olungu , P. Szturz , D.C. Güven , A. Puccini , J.P. Silva , E.C. Smyth , F. Sclafani , H. Van Laarhoven
{"title":"肿瘤学早期研究人员的研究培训、障碍和职业发展需求:一项基于EORTC调查的研究","authors":"A. Cammarota , A.R. Siebenhüner , C. Olungu , P. Szturz , D.C. Güven , A. Puccini , J.P. Silva , E.C. Smyth , F. Sclafani , H. Van Laarhoven","doi":"10.1016/j.esmogo.2025.100208","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The increasing complexity of cancer research presents significant challenges for early-career oncologists in establishing independent research careers. Although dedicated support platforms have emerged in recent years, a thorough evaluation of the research training needs and barriers faced by the current generation of trainees and early-career oncologists has been lacking. This study aimed to assess the research backgrounds, needs, and career aspirations of early-career researchers in oncology.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An online survey was distributed between September and October 2024 among young and early-career investigator (Y-ECI) members of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and other professionals meeting the EORTC Y-ECI criteria. The questionnaire collected information on research experience, challenges, and expectations from the newly launched EORTC Y-ECI community.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 301 respondents, 200 (66.7%) met Y-ECI criteria and participated in the survey. Most were female (62.4%), aged 31-35 years (38.7%), medical oncologists (69.6%), and working in academic settings (58.8%). While 73.7% had published research, 75.8% reported challenges in conducting and publishing their work. The main barriers included lack of protected research time (77.0%), limited funding (48.2%), and insufficient grant application support (47.1%). Female researchers were seven times more likely to report gender-related barriers (odds ratio 7.14, 95% confidence interval 1.14-79.22). Most (84.3%) expressed interest in joining the EORTC Y-ECIs community, with research training, mentorship, and funding opportunities rated as the most valuable initiatives.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study provides comprehensive insights into the research needs of early-career oncologists and supports the EORTC investment in structured training programmes to cultivate a strong, next-generation research workforce.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":100490,"journal":{"name":"ESMO Gastrointestinal Oncology","volume":"9 ","pages":"Article 100208"},"PeriodicalIF":0.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-07-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":"{\"title\":\"Research training, barriers, and career development needs of early-career investigators in oncology: an EORTC survey-based study\",\"authors\":\"A. Cammarota , A.R. Siebenhüner , C. Olungu , P. Szturz , D.C. Güven , A. Puccini , J.P. Silva , E.C. Smyth , F. Sclafani , H. Van Laarhoven\",\"doi\":\"10.1016/j.esmogo.2025.100208\",\"DOIUrl\":null,\"url\":null,\"abstract\":\"<div><h3>Background</h3><div>The increasing complexity of cancer research presents significant challenges for early-career oncologists in establishing independent research careers. Although dedicated support platforms have emerged in recent years, a thorough evaluation of the research training needs and barriers faced by the current generation of trainees and early-career oncologists has been lacking. This study aimed to assess the research backgrounds, needs, and career aspirations of early-career researchers in oncology.</div></div><div><h3>Methods</h3><div>An online survey was distributed between September and October 2024 among young and early-career investigator (Y-ECI) members of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and other professionals meeting the EORTC Y-ECI criteria. The questionnaire collected information on research experience, challenges, and expectations from the newly launched EORTC Y-ECI community.</div></div><div><h3>Results</h3><div>Among 301 respondents, 200 (66.7%) met Y-ECI criteria and participated in the survey. Most were female (62.4%), aged 31-35 years (38.7%), medical oncologists (69.6%), and working in academic settings (58.8%). While 73.7% had published research, 75.8% reported challenges in conducting and publishing their work. The main barriers included lack of protected research time (77.0%), limited funding (48.2%), and insufficient grant application support (47.1%). Female researchers were seven times more likely to report gender-related barriers (odds ratio 7.14, 95% confidence interval 1.14-79.22). Most (84.3%) expressed interest in joining the EORTC Y-ECIs community, with research training, mentorship, and funding opportunities rated as the most valuable initiatives.</div></div><div><h3>Conclusions</h3><div>This study provides comprehensive insights into the research needs of early-career oncologists and supports the EORTC investment in structured training programmes to cultivate a strong, next-generation research workforce.</div></div>\",\"PeriodicalId\":100490,\"journal\":{\"name\":\"ESMO Gastrointestinal Oncology\",\"volume\":\"9 \",\"pages\":\"Article 100208\"},\"PeriodicalIF\":0.0000,\"publicationDate\":\"2025-07-31\",\"publicationTypes\":\"Journal Article\",\"fieldsOfStudy\":null,\"isOpenAccess\":false,\"openAccessPdf\":\"\",\"citationCount\":\"0\",\"resultStr\":null,\"platform\":\"Semanticscholar\",\"paperid\":null,\"PeriodicalName\":\"ESMO Gastrointestinal Oncology\",\"FirstCategoryId\":\"1085\",\"ListUrlMain\":\"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949819825000779\",\"RegionNum\":0,\"RegionCategory\":null,\"ArticlePicture\":[],\"TitleCN\":null,\"AbstractTextCN\":null,\"PMCID\":null,\"EPubDate\":\"\",\"PubModel\":\"\",\"JCR\":\"\",\"JCRName\":\"\",\"Score\":null,\"Total\":0}","platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"ESMO Gastrointestinal Oncology","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2949819825000779","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"","JCRName":"","Score":null,"Total":0}
Research training, barriers, and career development needs of early-career investigators in oncology: an EORTC survey-based study
Background
The increasing complexity of cancer research presents significant challenges for early-career oncologists in establishing independent research careers. Although dedicated support platforms have emerged in recent years, a thorough evaluation of the research training needs and barriers faced by the current generation of trainees and early-career oncologists has been lacking. This study aimed to assess the research backgrounds, needs, and career aspirations of early-career researchers in oncology.
Methods
An online survey was distributed between September and October 2024 among young and early-career investigator (Y-ECI) members of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) and other professionals meeting the EORTC Y-ECI criteria. The questionnaire collected information on research experience, challenges, and expectations from the newly launched EORTC Y-ECI community.
Results
Among 301 respondents, 200 (66.7%) met Y-ECI criteria and participated in the survey. Most were female (62.4%), aged 31-35 years (38.7%), medical oncologists (69.6%), and working in academic settings (58.8%). While 73.7% had published research, 75.8% reported challenges in conducting and publishing their work. The main barriers included lack of protected research time (77.0%), limited funding (48.2%), and insufficient grant application support (47.1%). Female researchers were seven times more likely to report gender-related barriers (odds ratio 7.14, 95% confidence interval 1.14-79.22). Most (84.3%) expressed interest in joining the EORTC Y-ECIs community, with research training, mentorship, and funding opportunities rated as the most valuable initiatives.
Conclusions
This study provides comprehensive insights into the research needs of early-career oncologists and supports the EORTC investment in structured training programmes to cultivate a strong, next-generation research workforce.