Dr. Jennifer Kefauver on Mechanobiology, Mobility, and MSCA Fellowships

In this episode of EURAXESS Smart Talks, hosts Daria Aksjonova and Jovan Aranđelović sit down with Dr. Jennifer Kefauver, a Marie Skłodowska‑Curie Postdoctoral Fellow whose career spans world‑class research centers in the US, Switzerland, and Spain.Jennifer shares her journey from earning her PhD at Scripps Research—studying mechanically activated ion channels in Nobel Prize–winning laboratories—through her interdisciplinary postdoctoral work in structural and membrane biology, to her current research on rare laminopathies at the Spanish National Research Council.Together, we explore how mechanical forces shape cell behavior, why mechanobiology matters for human health, what it's like to transition from the US to Europe as a researcher, and how MSCA fellowships can open doors to international careers. Jennifer also reflects on work culture differences, navigating immigration bureaucracy, language challenges, and the role of public healthcare and parental leave in shaping a sustainable academic life.Whether you're an early‑career scientist considering mobility or simply curious about the frontiers of mechanobiology, this episode is filled with practical insights, honest reflections, and inspiration.🧩 Key Topics CoveredJennifer’s academic path: from Scripps Research to the University of Geneva and SpainMechanobiology explained: how cells sense and respond to mechanical forcesStructural biology, membrane protein purification, and cryo‑EMThe value and challenges of Marie Skłodowska‑Curie FellowshipsWork culture differences between the US, Switzerland, and SpainThe impact of public healthcare, and social protectionsThe burden of administrative tasks and immigration bureaucracyThe importance of language learning for integrationAdvice for early‑career researchers on mobility, networking & choosing projectsFuture plans: stabilizing in Spain and pursuing ERC funding⏱️ Questions & Timestamps00:02:34 — Jennifer, could you tell us about your career path in academia and why you applied for the MSCA grant? 00:06:11 — How did you identify your research topic and select your host lab for the MSCA fellowship? 00:07:01 — Can you explain your research field and what mechanobiology means in practical terms? 00:09:00 — What are the challenges of doing experiments and simulations at the cellular scale? 00:11:57 — Is there real‑world applicability for your fundamental mechanobiology research? 00:12:57 — How might therapeutic approaches—like gene therapy or epigenetic drugs—play a role in treating these rare diseases? 00:14:51 — What are the differences between rare diseases and their treatment challenges? 00:15:02 — How would you compare the research environment in the US vs Europe? 00:17:17 — How did work culture differ between the US, Switzerland, and Spain? 00:18:52 — What was your experience with healthcare, maternity leave, and social protections in Spain? 00:21:01 — How difficult was the immigration and bureaucratic process? 00:23:05 — How important was learning the local language in Switzerland and Spain? 00:25:02 — Did your research progress according to plan during your MSCA projects? 00:26:32 — What are your future career plans? 00:27:38 — Do you have advice for other researchers considering mobility to Europe? Send us a message!