In large-scale European research initiatives, collaboration is often measured in work packages, milestones, and deliverables. But the true engine of innovation is the exchange of people and ideas. The NICKEFFECT project thrives on this philosophy, proving that cross-border mobility does not just advance materials science – it shapes the next generation of scientific leaders.
A prime example of this success is Dr. Roger De Paz Castany, who recently defended his PhD thesis in February 2026. His academic journey – a joint PhD between the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB) and Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), anchored by a pivotal 3-month research stay (secondment) at VUB – highlights how bridging the gap between institutions elevates research quality and accelerates personal growth.
Material Synthesis Meets Electro-Mechanics
Roger’s PhD thesis, “Electrocatalytic and Physical Properties of Nanostructured Ni–W Alloy Electrodeposits,” sat at the crossroads of two distinct scientific cultures. By splitting his time and supervision between UAB and VUB, he was able to merge two complementary fields of expertise.
“At UAB, I developed a strong background in electrodeposition, materials characterization, and the synthesis of nanostructured films,” Roger explains. “At VUB, I was exposed to a more mechanistic study of electrochemical reactions.”
This dual perspective allowed Roger to connect the dots between how a material is made and how it behaves at a molecular level. Instead of looking at his Ni–W alloy deposits through a single lens, he could evaluate the relationship between deposition conditions, structure, composition, and functional properties. “It encouraged me to think more critically about my results and discuss them from different scientific angles,” he notes, “which clearly improved the quality of my research.”
The 3-Month Secondment
During his 3-month stay at VUB in 2024, Roger actively contributed to NICKEFFECT’s Work Package 3 (WP3) and Work Package 4 (WP4). While the stay broadened his overall knowledge of complex electrochemical and impedance techniques, one specific tool proved to be a game-changer: the Rotating Disk Electrode (RDE).
While UAB had only recently begun developing RDE techniques, VUB possessed deep institutional expertise in the methodology.
“The experience and expertise available at VUB helped me deepen my understanding of RDE measurements and improve the design and optimization of our RDE electrodes. This was especially useful for better evaluating the electrochemical behavior of our Ni–W-based materials and connecting the experimental results with their performance.”
A Multiplier Effect for European Projects
Roger’s experience underscores why physical mobility is so vital for consortiums like NICKEFFECT. Secondments transform formal project agreements into practical, real-world knowledge transfers.
The Ripple Effect of Research Stays
- Direct Knowledge Access: Young researchers pull specialized expertise and facility access from partner labs and bring those capabilities back to their home institutions.
- The Collaboration Multiplier: Working alongside motivated, diverse teams acts as an intellectual catalyst, sparking new ideas and improving overall work quality.
- Serendipitous Discovery: Close collaboration often opens unexpected, innovative research directions that weren’t originally mapped out in the project proposal.
Growing Beyond the Lab Bench
Moving between countries and institutions presents clear academic advantages, but Roger emphasizes that the personal growth is just as profound. Adapting to different working cultures and methodologies builds independence, adaptability, and communication skills.
“Research is increasingly international and collaborative,” Roger says. “Interacting with people from different countries, cultures, and lifestyles helped me become more open-minded and mature as a person. I believe this is just as important for a future career in science as the technical training.”
Words of Wisdom for Future Secondments
For PhD students and early-career researchers preparing to embark on their own project secondments, Roger offers a few pieces of practical advice:
Be Proactive From Day One. Don’t just learn the techniques. Meet people, ask questions, debate your work, and absorb the new perspectives around you; Socialize Outside the Lab. Whether it’s through roommates, the gym, or a local hobby, building a social circle helps you integrate into a new country, making the experience enjoyable and buffering against homesickness; A Weatherproof Tip: “If you come from a Mediterranean country and go to the rainy north, maybe consider taking some vitamin D!”
Roger’s joint degree is part of a broader, highly successful web of academic collaboration fostered by NICKEFFECT between UAB and VUB. The project has created a rich pipeline of young talent pushing the boundaries of materials science and magneto-ionics with Dr. Aitor Arredondo López, Parisa Molaei and Konrad Eiler.
By supporting these cross-institution journeys, NICKEFFECT isn’t just delivering on its technical promises – it is successfully building the human infrastructure that will drive European scientific innovation for years to come.