Curriculum

A successful PhD thesis is built on

•  an excellent research project
•  good supervision
•  specific training opportunities to acquire expertise needed to advance the research project,  
•  further development of individual competencies, and
•  additional opportunities for scientific discussion

MeInBio offers

• state-of the-art research projects and excellent supervision:

The PhD researchers work on one of the projects outlined in the research program under supervision of the PI in the respective laboratory.

In addition to direct supervision by the PI, the thesis is chaperoned by a Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) consisting of two additional group leaders and the MeInBio coordinator. Discussion of the project once a year during the MeInBio progress report series raises further feedback and pointers to solve impeding problems. On top, members of the assigned tandem group are always approachable for help and feedback.

•  a concept for interdisciplinary training:

Central to this concept is the creation of research tandems between groups of complementary expertise in experimental or bioinformatics research. The research tandems allow a short stay of PhD researchers in a specialised group to complement the project with additional expertise. This stay in the tandem lab is a mandatory aspect of the qualification strategy. By this, the PhD researchers who are trained within a theoretical bioinformatics group will gain access to experimental methods that are the foundation for the data that they are analysing. Conversely, experimental PhD researchers will gain an understanding for bioinformatics know-how and have access to technical infrastructure, such as unpublished bioinformatics tools.
In addition, MeInBio offers accompanying courses and workshops with specific biological and bioinformatics contents (see figure below). 

•  curricular elements to develop competencies expected of a scientist:

MeInBio PhD researchers have a monthly oral progress report series where two of them present the current status of their project. The meetings are a forum to discuss relevant developments and difficulties of the respective project. They also broaden the individual horizon and help the PhD researchers to conceptualise scientific findings on more general levels.
Moreover, courses towards further qualification to acquire soft skills are offered.

In addition to a MeInBio retreat every year, PhD researchers are encouraged to visit conferences and meetings, and to invite speakers for a lecture series in Freiburg.

Meeting for the monthly progress report and the workshops provide an excellent opportunity to network and exchange  experiences with other peers.

PhD students are encouraged to visit at least one congress or conference per year, as to present their research to a wider audience and integrate into the scientific community.

Equipped with the opportunities offered, MeInBio PhD researchers graduate with high-ranking publications and excellent marks. They have therefore excellent further career opportunities, inside and outside academia.