EFOMP Special Interest Group for “Early Career Medical Physicists”
SIG_FREC Aim
The young Medical Physicists (MPs) of today will be the National MP and European MP professionals and leaders of tomorrow. If the profession is to be developed and become stronger in a rapidly evolving environment, education and training of the young MPs is vital so that they may develop into the effective and robust scientific and strategic leaders that the profession needs in the future. Young MPs need to learn how to act in a coordinated manner at both National and European levels. To achieve this goal, a strong, flexible, and dynamic link is needed between academic, education and professional training, across all countries.
A Special Interest Group (SIG) will provide opportunities for our young MPs to develop not only their substantive scientific and research skills but also their soft skills, as scientific competence on its own does not ensure success in today’s demanding hospital, academia and industry environment. Skills such as strategic planning, marketing, good communication and pedagogical skills, proficiencies in qualitative research methodology as well as skills in conflict resolution, organizational politics, negotiation, and teambuilding are also needed.
A Strengths-Weaknesses-
The SIG for Early Career for Medical Physicists (SIG_FREC) was officially created in December 2022. The kick-off meeting was held on the 9th of December 2022. The SIG_FREC is a permanent structure and renewal has to be asked of the EFOMP Board every three years by the SIG_FREC parent committee.
SIG_FREC Focus Groups
SIG members can participate in different Focus Groups:
FG1: Social media (dedicated to enhance EFOMP Social media and to create new accounts focused to the EC members)
FG2: European EC (have a network of EC names working in the different EU Countries to enhance collaborations and ease contact for possible opportunities)
FG3: Congresses & Events (help to organise Early Career tracks in the European Congress of Medical Physics (ECMP) as well as tracks in different educational events from EFOMP and other affiliated societies)
FG4: Communication - Journal+Monthly emails (create content for EMP news + create diffusion emails with interesting information for EC such as job opportunities, grants, etc)
FG5: Scientific (dedicated to establish links regarding research and work in the different subareas as well as collaborations; mentorship program)
SIG_FREC governance
The Steering Committee members were elected by the SIG members via an electronic postal ballot organised by the EFOMP European & International Matters Committee in March 2023 :
- Leticia Irazola, Spain
- Jesus Ovejero, Spain
- Anna Maria Fanou, Greece
- Nefeli Tzoumi, Greece
- Katryna Vella, Malta
- Agnese Katlapa, Latvia
- Antonio Jreije, Lithuania
Board
- Convener: Leticia Irazola, Spain
- Vice Convener: Antonio Jreije, Lithuania
- Secretary: Agnese Katlapa, Latvia
SIG_FREC Application Procedure
EFOMP members (members of their National Member Organisation), Individual Associate Members (including physicists outside the EU) or EFOMP Company members (company staff) can apply to become a SIG_FREC, using the member application form.
NMOs and EFOMP affiliated organisations can also nominate representatives.
Applications can be sent anytime by using this form and are reviewed on a regular basis.