day 1: 2-3 Short inputs depending on participants projects short presentation of participants projects day 2 and 3: guided work on own project day 3: presentations of projects prerequisite for participation basic knowledge in statistics, participation in at least 2 of the Modules 1 – 3. Participants bring their own data. They are requested to send a short description of their projects to the teachers at least one week before the start of the workshop. [more]

This two-day workshop enables life scientists to to write clearly and with impact! The participants learn how to construct a “take-home” message that tells the story of their research, choose words that communicate their science clearly, and structure their paper into a flowing narrative. [more]

Telmo Pievani (U Padova): Sharing Discoveries: New Frontiers and Projects in Communication of Science / Henning Krause (Helmholtz Association): Research Communication 2.0 / Carin Bondar (‘Biologist with a Twist’; independent writer & presenter): Sex, Science and Storytelling: The Art of Effective Communication / Kees Moeliker (Improbable Research / Natural History Museum Rotterdam): The Duck, his Mate and (other) Improbable Research / Daniel Mertens (Schillermertens): “Silent Post” - Scientific Communication / besides presentations from the IMPRS faculty and PhD candidates and award of the "Best Student Paper". [more]

The workshop aims to support PhD students during their first big research project. Generally a PhD student is well adapted to conduct his/her research but encounters difficulties with i.e. time management, lack of coordination/cooperation with others, insecurities if and how to ask for support and is maybe also not prepared to fulfil the different roles which are expected by him/her. This workshop will strengthen the management and communication skills of the participants and help them to deal with unexpected and frustrating situations. Participants will learn management and communication skills by: - defining goals and objectives in a smart way - planning their workload with efficiency and effectiveness - being clear about their different roles during a PhD project - improving their collaboration ability - learning techniques for a successful delegation. First day: Planning a project: Setting goals + Time management Introduction to project management, Defining aims and objective according to SMART principle, Planning and Structuring the workload of a project, Using time management to be more efficient, Defining different roles Second day: Delegation and communication Dealing with the supervisor, Successful delegation, How to prevent and avoid risks, How to deal with stress and frustration, Communication exercises Dr. Valeska Russo holds a PhD in inorganic Chemistry. After 10 years as project manager and trainer at Siemens and Nokia Siemens Networks, she started to teach project management and science related soft skills for PhD students, Postdocs and young group leaders in 2009. She focuses on management, communication and presentation and also teaches methods of awareness and stress reduction to reach a good work-life balance. [more]

Day 1: Introduction to R (work with console and editor, read data, save data, basics in programming R, graphics); Basics in statistics (refreshing descriptive statistics (mean, sd, se, median, quartiles), hypothesis testing, classical statistical tests using R) Day 2: Introduction to simple linear models using R (One-way/two-way ANOVA, simple linear regression, ANCOVA, R lm function / General Linear Models) [more]

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TARGET GROUP: This workshop targets PhD students and Post-doctoral fellows who have taken Conference Presentation part I, and who wish to further improve their presentation skills and focus in particular on the context of conferences. OBJECTIVES: This is an activity-based training is led by a theatre professional whose expertise is in helping the speaker effectively communicate the importance and relevance of the work and the core message in the talk. This course aims to focus on further development and special focus of key communication skills in the context of conferences. DESCRIPTION: This one-day course provides a limited number of participants who have already taken the workshop “Conference Presentation”, the opportunity to deliver a typical conference presentation and focus on the key aspects of conference presentation challenges. Attention will also be given to structural elements and language dynamics for improving overall speech and communication. The session will also include dealing with question and answer sessions as well as other peripheral details involved in the overall conference experience. CONTENTS IN BRIEF: • Engaging the audience in one’s talk • Affirming the strengths and individual style of the speaker • Improving body language • Effectively promoting oneself • Develop strong tactics for effective communication • Dealing with challenging Q&A sessions. METHODS: • Voice and body techniques • Partner work/role-play • Language practice and analysis • Trainer PPT input • Improvisation, videotaping and feedback • Tailored training for individual participants needs. [more]

day 1: LM Linear Regression, multiple Regression ANOVA, ANCOVA (least-square method, parameterisation, interactions, tests (marginal and sequential), model selection, model assumptions, predictions, introduction to Bayesian data analysis); day 2: LME linear mixed models (maximum likelihood, restricted maximum likelihood, random and fixed effects, likelihood ratio test / bootstrap, random slopes-random intercept models, evt. further model types depending on the participants wishes); day 3: LME (model matrix, simulating posterior distributions of model parameters, predictions, posterior probabilities of hypotheses, preparing data for work on own data); day 4: work on own data and presentations. Prerequisite for participation: Basic knowledge in R programming is required. Particularly, it is assumed that you are familiar with working with the R Console and an editor, reading the data and producing the most common graphics (histogram, scatterplot, boxplot). [more]

AdobeIllustrator is the world’s most powerful toolset for vector art and illustrations and for many tasks in the creative industry this software is the preferred tool for logo design, sketching, image-tracing and vector arts etc. This training will give you basic and useful techniques to manage Illustrator: Preferences, Color-Management, file-format for export, working effectively with paths as basic foundation in using AdobeIllustrator successfully to create vector graphics, for image-tracing, in sketching and drawing. [more]

AdobePhotoshop is the focal point of the AdobeCreativeCloud and for many tasks in the creative industry this software is the preferred tool for developing templates, layouts, image-processing etc. This training will give you basic and useful techniques to manage Photoshop: Preferences, Color-Management, file-format for export, working effectively with layers, cropping and masking as basic foundation in using AdobePhotoshop successfully in retouching, image-processing and composing. [more]

Animals, from fruit flies and cockroaches to birds and humans, display consistent individual variation in behavior (i.e. animal personality). However, the role of individual variation in group behavior is not well understood in animals, particularly in insects where tracking many individuals simultaneously has traditionally been difficult or impossible. Recent technological developments, particularly in computer vision, are making this problem increasingly tractable, however, and are opening the door for understanding the nuances of individual variation and its role in collective behavior. Here, I use a low-cost, image-based automated tracking system (BEEtag) to investigate the extent, origins, and function of individual behavioral variation in two insects with varying level of social behavior: cockroaches (Blaberus discoidalis) and bumblebees (Bombus impatiens). In cockroaches, we find that individuals display strong and stable differences during collective light avoidance. These differences are robust to changes in group composition, but fascinatingly disappear when individuals are tested in isolation, suggesting that group context plays a key role in modulating personality in this species. In bumblebees, we find that individual workers vary substantially in both foraging activity and nest behavior. Interestingly, the distribution of behaviors appears to be regulated at the colony level, and behavioral idiosyncrasy plays an important role in determining patterns of task switching when colony labor demands shift. Finally, we use this trackingtechnology to examine the effects of individual pesticide exposure on social behavior in colonies. Overall, these studies underscore the importance of individual variation in social insects, but also highlight the complex interplay between behavior at the individual and the group level. [more]

This two-day workshop enables life scientists to to write clearly and with impact! The participants learn how to construct a “take-home” message that tells the story of their research, choose words that communicate their science clearly, and structure their paper into a flowing narrative. [more]

Guided work on own data. [more]

Research Statements are an important part of an application for a position in academia. They pin down the researcher’s background and current results and place future plans into the context of the organisation to which the application is addressed. The challenge in writing a research statement is to be clear and concise and to show the contribution to the mission of the target organisation. This workshop addresses the essential parts of a research statement: abstract, background, current research, research agenda (3 to 5 years) and relevance. Topics and exercises vary according to the participants’ preferences. [more]

Successful grant proposal writing is a fundamental basis to fund a career in research. There are plenty of national and international funding programmes with different funding schemes. Each scheme has its individual context and thematic focus, eligibility and funding rules, submission and evaluation process, and evaluation criteria. Thus, the detailed features and aspects of a successful proposal in one funding scheme are naturally differing from those of a successful proposal in another funding scheme. However, the process of how to work out these details is a common denominator to the different funding schemes. It requires skills way beyond the ability to work out a research idea in detail. The workshop covers the complete proposal process. Topics and exercises are detailed and chosen with respect to the duration of the workshop and the participants’ preferences. [more]

Generalised linear models and generalised linear mixed models: Binomial model, Poission model, GLMM and work on own data [more]

An occupation in research and teaching, a career in the economic or service sector or in a non-profit organisation – after the doctorate there are numerous professional fields and career paths open on the international labour market. Because of this, strategic career planning is necessary. A series of important questions has to be answered: What are my goals and interests, what are my strengths and weaknesses? Where can I apply? Do I know what is expected of me and how to present myself? [more]

Our annual Grand Challenges Symposia focus each year on a specific area of interest in the wide range of topics from animal behavior, ecology, and evolution to physiology and neuro­biology, suggested by the PhD candidates of our IMPRS. The symposia consist of a series of talks by guest speakers, faculty and students of our program and represent the inaugural event for the latest student cohort. [more]

This 3-day workshops is obligatory for the new phD students and offers a first overview on how to get started. AIM - The development of scientific competence of researchers at Max Planck institutes is a major goal. Ph.D. students improve their communication with the supervisor and colleagues, develop professional skills in team working, networking, planning and project management and know how to use feedback in order to deliver a successful performance. This will enhance their overall effectiveness as they pursue their research studies and maximize success of their future careers. METHOD - Participants will experience interactive lectures, moderated discussions and perform activities to learn from first-hand experience. We will safely move them outside their “comfort zone” to the “learning zone” (Gerald Hüther) to enhance acquisition of novel skills. The experienced challenges are discussed in carefully moderated and focused review sessions, using peer-to-peer feedback as a powerful tool. [more]

This activity-based workshop led by theatre professionals provides participants the opportunity to perfect their public-speaking skills, to improve non-verbal communication and the ability to listen and react generously. Participants are required to prepare a three to five minute overview of their work incorporating also the use of a slide, providing a basis for applying the practical aims of the workshop, which are to communicate the importance and relevance of the work and the core message in the talk. [more]

This workshop targets PhD students and Post-doctoral fellows who have taken Conference Presentation part I, and who wish to further improve their presentation skills and focus in particular on the context of conferences. [more]

Linear models (LM) and linear mixed models (LME): Linear Regression, multiple Regression, ANOVA, ANCOVA, model selection (group work), linear mixed models, work on own data [more]

This two-day workshop enables life scientists to to write clearly and with impact!The participants learn how to construct a “take-home” message that tells the story of their research, choose words that communicate their science clearly, and structure their paper into a flowing narrative. [more]

Guided work on own data. [more]

Successful grant proposal writing is a fundamental basis to fund a career in research. There are plenty of national and international funding programmes with different funding schemes. Each scheme has its individual context and thematic focus, eligibility and funding rules, submission and evaluation process, and evaluation criteria. Thus, the detailed features and aspects of a successful proposal in one funding scheme are naturally differing from those of a successful proposal in another funding scheme. However, the process of how to work out these details is a common denominator to the different funding schemes. It requires skills way beyond the ability to work out a research idea in detail.The overall proposal writing starts with the generation of a new research idea and the identification of an appropriate funding scheme. This requires knowledge on funding programmes and their scientific, political or societal background. Here, documents and professionals from contact points and funding authorities may be of much help.For an excellent grant proposal, it is necessary to match the research idea with the evaluators’ view on what is wanted by the funding scheme and what is considered fit for funding. This usually requires work on the details of the idea and the specific research context.After this has been concluded, the work on the actual project and proposal can be started. A concept has to be developed, ideas, workplan and the approach have to be visualised, the budget needs to be planned and the overall proposal has to be structured and formulated. If other project partners or institutions are involved, the submission of documents has to be coordinated.Therefore, the objective of this workshop is, that students obtain an overview on funding opportunities, understand the core aspects of winning grants and know how to adapt the proposal writing process to their funding scheme of choice.Depending on the duration of the training, exercises are focused on different process steps and required skills. [more]

A researcher’s guide to gaining self-confidence, effectively persuading & innovative problem solving. A PhD. is a huge undertaking and you need a wide range of skills and the ability to maintain your self motivation to achieve your goals. Participants will learn useful, easy-to-follow guidelines which will enable them to improve their self-confidence, come up with innovative solutions and effectively persuade people to buy into their ideas. This workshop will teach participants techniques to be more confident, more motivated and more productive. [more]

Introduction to general programming, focusing on data processing using Python. This program prepares people to create their own software solutions. Allowing them to build code that processes data, generates graphics and creates statistical information. To conclude the course we will dedicate the last day to a workshop in which we will take a look at each participant’s code and discuss about different ways to make the code cleaner and easy to read. We will also help the participants with specific programming problems they have had while developing a code for their own data. [more]

Our annual Grand Challenges Symposia focus each year on a specific area of interest in the wide range of topics from animal behavior, ecology, and evolution to physiology and neuro­biology, suggested by the PhD candidates of our IMPRS. The symposia consist of a series of talks by guest speakers, faculty and students of our program and represent the inaugural event for the latest student cohort. [more]

This 3-day workshops is obligatory for the new phD students and offers a first overview on how to get started. AIM - The development of scientific competence of researchers at Max Planck institutes is a major goal. Ph.D. students improve their communication with the supervisor and colleagues, develop professional skills in team working, networking, planning and project management and know how to use feedback in order to deliver a successful performance. This will enhance their overall effectiveness as they pursue their research studies and maximize success of their future careers. METHOD - Participants will experience interactive lectures, moderated discussions and perform activities to learn from first-hand experience. We will safely move them outside their “comfort zone” to the “learning zone” (Gerald Hüther) to enhance acquisition of novel skills. The experienced challenges are discussed in carefully moderated and focused review sessions, using peer-to-peer feedback as a powerful tool. [more]

As a researcher, one has the privilege to work freely and creatively, pursuing own interests and adding to the knowledge base of the scientific community - and the community in general. This freedom comes with responsibility: The responsibility for self-control, accuracy, honesty, efficiency and objectivity. The scientific community has introduced rules of Research Integrity, which aim to preserve the freedom of research and prevent scientific misconduct. [more]

This activity-based workshop led by theatre professionals provides participants the opportunity to perfect their public-speaking skills, to improve non-verbal communication and the ability to listen and react generously. Participants are required to prepare a three to five minute overview of their work incorporating also the use of a slide, providing a basis for applying the practical aims of the workshop, which are to communicate the importance and relevance of the work and the core message in the talk. [more]

Guided work on own data. [more]

This course is cancelled! The end of a PhD or a PostDoc comes along with some essential questions: What comes after my PhD or my current PostDoc? Which options do I have? What do I really want to do? What is important to me? Which competencies do I have? How do I put myself into a good light without being too modest? How do I find a position and apply to it? How can I support my own career? How do I get in touch with host institutions or potential employers? How do I best prepare for a job interview? [more]