About Me
A Physicist Turned Coach & Trainer Helping Researchers Grow
Hi there, I’m Emma (or Dr. Emma Geoffray, if we’re beingformal).
As the Growing PhD in Chief, I’m excited to welcome you to my corner of the internet!
My Journey
During my doctorate, I studied theoretical particle physics, especially constraining effective field theories with global analyses. (And yes, I’m always up for discussing what may lie beyond the Standard Model if you’re interested!)
Like many researchers, I also faced imposter syndrome, burnout, and the constant challenge of figuring things out as I went. That’s what led me to create Grow into your PhD.
I now work with early career researchers across Europe to help them build skills that make their academic journey not only more successful, but also more sustainable — from planning projects and giving better talks to navigating team dynamics, building resilience, and preparing for careers in and beyond academia.
My Approach
What I discovered during my academic journey was that technical knowledge alone doesn’t guarantee success. The researchers who truly thrive are those who develop essential transferable skills and maintain their sanity along the way.
This sparked my mission: to equip early career researchers and research group leaders with evidence-based skills and a growth-oriented mindset, to not only conquer academic challenges, but grow into their research roles. My training programs and coaching services blend academic rigor with practical application and genuine empathy—because theories are most valuable when they transform into action.
I believe that when researchers feel supported, science advances further.
And academia becomes a healthier place for everyone.
My Work
Today, I partner with universities and research institutions in Switzerland and Germany, as well as individual researchers worldwide to build stronger scientific communities through:
- Workshop facilitation on topics ranging from project management to well-being,
- Group training that empowers group leaders and their team to work productively together,
- 1-on-1 coaching for researchers facing hard challenges or transitions,
- Community building through the “Grow Into Your PhD” Slack group,
- Digital resources including blog posts, worksheets and my forthcoming book on PhD planning.
Whether you’re a PhD looking for support, a PI building a better research team, or a coordinator planning training programs, I’d love to work together.
Beyond Work
- Originally from France, I got my PhD in Germany, and now live in Switzerland (and I never get tired of its picturesque landscapes).
- Family means everything to me and I love that my work lets me spend more time with them.
- My creative hobbies (theater and fiction writing) shape how I teach my workshops — with creativity, storytelling, and confidence.
- I spend most of my free time reading romance, discovering new hikes around my home, and braiding friendship bracelets.
These experiences remind me that researchers are whole people with lives beyond the lab—something I bring into everything I do.
Let's connect!
Whether you’re looking for training for your institution, coaching for yourself, or simply want to join our community of growing researchers, I’m incredibly happy to have you here. And I would love to hear from you.
