From 17–21 August 2026, Phortify Mobility Grant recipients Nlandu Lebeau and Karen Danielyan, PhD researchers at Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), joined young researchers from across the optics and photonics community at DoKDoK 2026 in Gera, Germany. Their experience shows how mobility support can help early-career researchers share their work, build new connections and return to the lab with fresh ideas.
A conference by young researchers, for young researchers
DoKDoK, the Doctoral Students’ Conference for the Discussion of Optical Concepts, is a long-standing conference hosted by the Abbe School of Photonics at Friedrich Schiller University Jena. What makes the event distinctive is its strong peer-to-peer character: it is traditionally organised by doctoral researchers themselves and designed primarily for PhD and Master’s students working across optics and photonics.
The conference creates an environment where young researchers can discuss their work openly, exchange knowledge and strengthen their scientific presentation skills while meeting peers at a similar stage of their careers. Its programme spans a broad range of areas, including biophotonics, spectroscopy, microscopy and imaging, quantum optics, optical sensing, micro- and nano-optics, optical system design and many more. Keynote lectures and interaction with experienced researchers and industry representatives add another dimension to the scientific exchange.
For Phortify, this combination of research, mobility, networking and professional development makes DoKDoK exactly the kind of experience worth supporting.
Through the Phortify Mobility Grant programme, Nlandu Lebeau and Karen Danielyan, were supported to participate in the 2026 edition.
During the conference, Nlandu presented and discussed his research on “Optical Detection to Gain Insights into Neurodegenerative Diseases”, creating an opportunity not only to communicate his work but also to receive feedback and engage directly with other young researchers working in photonics.
For Nlandu, DoKDoK came at an important point in his research journey:
“DokDok was one of my first steps as a PhD student looking to build research connections across Europe.”
Reflecting on the atmosphere of the conference, he added:
“I really appreciated the openness of the conference and the positive attitude of everyone around us. I felt part of a broader research community and energized by the people around me.”
Karen’s experience was similarly motivating, particularly in the way the scientific discussions translated into new enthusiasm for his own research:
“DokDok delivered what it promised and much more for me. It was very inspirational. I even caught myself thinking: ‘I cannot wait to go back to the lab to try this!’”
He described DoKDoK as an encouraging environment filled with “good people and good research”, calling the conference “a hidden gem.”
Mobility that creates opportunities
Phortify aims to make opportunities like these more accessible to students and early-career researchers across its European network. Through MyPhortify, mobility funding can support participation in activities such as workshops, summer schools, research visits and other academic mobility opportunities, alongside Phortify’s wider portfolio of scholarships, internships and professional-development support.
The value of mobility goes beyond simply attending an event. Spending time in a different scientific environment gives young researchers the chance to test their ideas with new audiences, discover different approaches, meet potential collaborators and become part of a wider European research community.
Nlandu and Karen’s participation at DoKDoK 2026 is a great example of this in practice: targeted financial support opening the door to scientific exchange, new networks and renewed research motivation.
By supporting young researchers in stepping beyond their home institutions, Phortify is helping strengthen not only individual careers, but also the connections that will shape the next generation of European photonics.
Interested in similar opportunities?
Explore Phortify’s mobility, scholarship and student-support opportunities through MyPhortify.
