Fostering of scientific exchange, knowledge of fundamental and transferable skills
The graduate program provides in-depth training in interdisciplinary soft matter research. It serves as a platform for scientific exchange and collaborations in polymer science. An individual qualification program supports each doctoral student. This includes the development of a broad background in polymer science and transferable skills.
Fostering scientific exchange and collaboration
In seminars and workshops doctoral students exchange their experience and inform each other about progress in their projects via talks. During regular meetings with a mentor, the doctoral students obtain a different perspective concerning the progress of their work.
Learning of new scientific methods and concepts
Doctoral students learn new scientific methods to investigate soft matter in full two-day workshops, focusing on one special method in detail. These advanced training modules combine basics with the application of methods in recent research. In a second part, participants apply their theoretical knowledge in the lab. Due to the large number of polymer research groups, topics of the modules cover a broad range from synthesis, X-ray diffraction to numerical simulations of polymers. This diversity is reflected also in several polymer related lectures of the faculty. Our doctoral students can also become acquainted with new methods or materials during research stays with partners abroad. Related winter and summer schools help to deepen the knowledge.
Acquisition of transferable skills
Doctoral students present and discuss scientific results at conferences. The graduate school supports the students with a variety of workshops to strengthen their transferable skills. The concepts of structured writing are offered in the workshop for academic writing. Courses for scientific presenting help the doctoral students to improve their public speaking abilities and to disseminate their results in the scientific community with talks, posters and during the discussion with colleagues. The planning and conduction of the whole doctoral project is supported by a workshop for time and self-management. A number of further courses support our doctoral students in their individual development and prepare them for careers in research and teaching at the university level or research in industrial laboratories.
Alumni network
An alumni network, including mutual visits and invited lectures, establishes strong links between former and current iRTG members, and support the latter in their career plans. Current and former members have the possibility to exchange and profit from the experience at annual alumni meetings. Former members are invited for talks with focus on their career steps in industry or academia.
