Main Components of the Program

Mentoring Team: Each PhD student will be accompanied by a mentoring team consisting of a supervisor and two mentors. The combined expertise of the mentoring team helps students critically evaluate their PhD project from time to time and find new ways to solve or sidestep technical problems thereby achieving productive and meaningful progress.

Method Courses: In method courses PhD students learn up-to-date methods directly linked to the individual PhD project.

Summer Academy: In annual summer schools, PhD students of all sections meet on a regular basis to exchange ideas and techniques. PhD students present their projects here in talks or poster presentations.

Meetings: In national and international scientific meetings, PhD students actively participate in talks or poster presentations, an opportunity to meet and discuss with international scientists.

Soft Skills: General training such as presentation skills, project management, scientific writing, and teamwork helps PhD students to improve their communication and presentation abilities as well as critically evaluate their research data.

Didactic Skills: Didactical skills are acquired by the supervision of undergraduate students.

Initiative and Responsibility: Program organization enables students to contribute actively to the scientific program by organizing meetings, and/or inviting speakers. These activities require commitment and encourage students to take both initiative and responsibility.