EURAXESS Smart Talks
The EURAXESS Smart Talks podcast for talents is your personal guide to Research Careers, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are, however, those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commision. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
EURAXESS Smart Talks
Stress-Testing Resilience: An MSCA Postdoc Journey in Manufacturing AI with Tanel Aruväli
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In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, we sit down with Dr. Tanel Aruväli, an MSCA postdoctoral fellow originally from Estonia (TalTech), now researching at the University of Malta. Tanel shares the story behind his research on simulation-based stress testing for resilience assessment in manufacturing companies — explaining what "resilience" really means for a factory floor using a simple ruler analogy, and how VUCA-era disruptions (geopolitical tension, supply chain shocks, energy crises) make this work more relevant than ever.
Beyond the science, Tanel opens up about the practical side of an MSCA mobility: choosing where to go with a family in tow, what makes a good supervisor, how his proposal evolved through multiple rounds of feedback, and where AI tools do (and don't) belong in grant writing. He also reflects candidly on relocating to Malta with his children, navigating a new school system, and what comes next after the fellowship — ERC grants, commercialization, or staying in academia.
A grounded, honest conversation for any researcher weighing a mobility move or preparing an MSCA application.
Key Topics Covered
- What "resilience" means in manufacturing, and how stress testing/simulation is used to assess it
- The VUCA framework and current disruptions affecting manufacturing (geopolitics, supply chains, energy, inflation)
- Choosing a mobility destination: balancing family, institution/equipment, and supervisor fit
- The supervisor's role in shaping and validating an MSCA proposal
- Structuring a successful MSCA application (excellence, impact, implementation)
- Using AI/LLM tools responsibly in proposal writing — where they help and where they don't
- Relocating internationally with a family: schooling, timing, and language considerations
- Career paths after an MSCA fellowship: ERC grants, commercialization, or academic continuation
- STEM vs. social sciences/humanities industry collaboration opportunities
Question Timestamps
- 01:27 – Can you tell us about your research topic and how you decided to apply for the MSCA postdoctoral fellowship?
- 04:22 – What was the hardest part of deciding where to go for your mobility?
- 05:58 – How did your supervisor help you during the mobility process?
- 09:31 – What was your approach to a successful application — was excellence, impact, or implementation the hardest part?
- 12:49 – What's your experience with AI tools in proposal writing, and how can they be used ethically while keeping the proposal human-led?
- 15:14 – You moved to Malta with your family — what were the challenges and opportunities for them?
- 18:05 – What are your career plans after this mobility?
