Curriculum

Programme for the development of academic skills

Students at a demonstration. Copyright: MAP-Office/Erich Malter, All rights reserved

The priority of academic training was to prepare young researchers for cutting-edge research in their own field. Furthermore, cross-disciplinary work in CLINT required the development of basic knowledge of ‘foreign disciplines’ and the establishment of a common language within the consortium. To reach these goals, different types of lectures were offered to all young investigators, as appropriate for their individual backgrounds in chemistry, physics, chemical engineering, or beyond. The programme of CLINTiRTG draw from the already established research training of the Erlangen Center for Interface Research and Catalysis (ECRC) and its Graduate Course Catalysis & Interfaces – Science & Engineering, which was restructured in 2019 to provide a systematic training in CLINT-related fields. Using this collaboration, we offered a CLINT specific training programme involving the following key components:

The Graduate Course

Training of basic knowledge related to all research fields present in CLINT. The course consisted of weekly lectures (1.5 h) in the winter semester aiming at an interdisciplinary audience. It was open to all members of CLINT and interested researchers, but was compulsory for all trainees. The lectures were delivered by the PIs and senior members of CLINT as well as by guest experts in related fields. The first lecture series covered the fundamental concepts associated with interface-related catalytic processes and provided an overview of theoretical modelling approaches. This was followed by a systematic introduction to key experimental techniques. Each lectures session included an open-ended discussion among the participants and the PIs to provide feedback.

The Program of the lecture series can be found here.

Compulsory training on data management

Due to the revolution in the acquisition of data and in the development of the protocols for their analysis, storage, usage and re-usage, data management is becoming a necessary skill for all trainees. Therefore, CLINTiRTG introduced a compulsory training on data management strategies.

Master courses

CLINTiRTG members were encouraged to attend lectures from the curriculum of master courses (also B.Sc., if necessary) in the disciplines involved in CLINT, including physical and technical chemistry, computational methods, thermodynamics, or (electro)catalysis. This was particularly appropriate for younger doctoral researchers or trainees from different backgrounds to obtain a broader scientific foundation in the fields of their project partners.

Doctoral Researcher Workshop

This compulsory workshop covering the research areas of CLINT was organised by the doctoral researchers themselves. Futhermore, it served as an informal platform to exchange ideas and results. It was a highly efficient measure to establish direct interdisciplinary communication structures between doctoral candidates.

Hands-on laboratory

Hands-on laboratory were offered throughout the funding period and focussed either on theoretical approaches, technical skills, handling of scientific data, techniques or instruments, as presented in the introductory course. The sessions, organised by young researchers in very small groups, took place in the laboratories of the host groups, in the CIP pool of the physics department or at HI ERN. The duration varied with the topic, methods and the demands, yet typically, a session took 4 to 6 hours. Both, participation and organisation of hands-on sessions was accredited.

Methods Days

Methods Days provided in-depth training on specific techniques and were offered by the PIs and external experts. Methods Days were inspired by the highly successful workshops previously delivered within EAM (e.g. on transmission electron microscopy, X-ray scattering and atom probe tomography). The content included state-of-the-art technology reviews underpinned with examples from CLINT research.

Soft Skills Program

CLINTiRTG aimed to promote the next generation of leading catalysis experts in academia and industry. To provide top level soft skill training, CLINTiRTG build on the established training principles of GS EAM and the capacities of the FAU GC.

Fostering Leadership and Organisational Skills

As early career academics, CLINTiRTG trainees worked as part of a team and had to adopt different leadership roles, even outside of academia. Several measures were conceived to help young researchers to develop the necessary skills and account for this axis of training:

  •  Compulsory training on Good Scientific Practices.
    To introduce transparency and secure clarity of professional standards, all trainees were introduced to the rules of good scientific practice established at FAU and DFG. The course was organised by CLINTiRTG.
  • Qualification courses.
    A number of short courses on promoting leadership skills were offered in collaboration with the FAU GC and GS EAM. The choice of the courses were adjusted to the academic maturity of the young researcher and her/his future direction. Topics included the developing of leadership style, guidance of a smaller team, or for more senior postdocs, courses on leading a research project. Also, workshops on postdoc-specific topics such as professorship appointments or recruitment in the private sector were supported.
  • Academic self-administration.
    Researchers were encouraged to take part in a broad spectrum of university bodies, hence, contributing first-hand to decision-making processes. This also included participation in the CLINT Young Investigator Team, CLINTiRTG, and governing bodies of CLINT.
  • Establishing a leadership role through teaching.
    Since classroom experience may be expected at later career steps, CLINTiRTG enabled voluntary involvement in teaching and provided the necessary associated training, with the help of the Fortbildungszentrum Hochschullehre.
  • Technical supervision.
    As appropriate for their academic level, young researchers were encouraged to provide technical supervision to younger or less experienced members of the team (visitors in collaboration projects, undergraduates, student assistants or young researchers in the starting phase of their doctoral projects).
  • Research experience at large scale research facilities.
    For a certain period of their training, young researchers were involved in experiments at large scale research facilities and in the construction of advanced scientific setups.
  • Co-organisation and active participation.
    Leadership skills are often developed through personal experiences. Therefore, all members of CLINTiRTG were strongly encouraged to contribute to the organisation of CLINT events, including training and networking activities.

Developing Entrepreneurial Skills

The technical applicability of the expected CLINT research outcome prompted us to place particular emphasis in CLINTiRTG on developing the entrepreneurial spirit of all trainees and their capacities to undertake first independent entrepreneurial steps. The following measures were introduced:

  • Qualification courses.
    CLINTiRG offered a variety of courses covering topics such as technology transfer, intellectual property rights, patent law, and project management. 
  • Project writing and/or management.
    In selected cases, trainees were be encouraged to make their first independent steps in acquiring and governing third party funding or industrial projects.
  • Internship in an industrial R&D unit.
    Following the trainee’s own initiative, internships with industrial partners were organised in agreement with her/his mentors.

Developing Social and Communication Skills

The capacity to successfully communicate within the working environment and to recognise the specificity of all team members is crucial for developing a progressive and stimulating working environment. Therefore, CLINTiRTG fostered this axis of training through the following measures:

  • Compulsory training on equal opportunities.
    With the help of CLINT Equal Opportunities Team, the CLINTiRTG offered a training programme consisting of lectures at annual retreats and workshops to discuss issues related to equal opportunities and diversity within CLINT. The training involved specialised lectures given by external speakers, workshops, and round table discussions.
  • Qualification courses.
    Building on the extensive experience within GS EAM, CLINTiRG encouraged doctoral researchers to participate in courses related to time management, presentation skills, writing strategies, but also preparation of job applications, as well as language courses.
  • Outreach contributions.
    To introduce the trainees to scientific outreach, they were encouraged to participate or co-organise social research communication events, including the Long Night of Science (‘Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften’) at FAU, and others.
  • Establishing a buddy system.
    Arriving to a new institution is a challenge for researchers of any age. CLINTiRTG secured, with the support of the PI’s group and the FAU Welcome Centre, a buddy system that helped CLINT newcomers to adjust to their new environment. Moreover, trainees established a safety network for emergency cases.

The CLINT Networking Programme

Internal networking.

To foster collaboration within CLINT and to facilitate cross-disciplinary research and training, CLINTiRTG offered a networking programme including the following elements:

  • Regular meetings of the researchers.
    All trainees were associated with the research group of at least one PI. The intense scientific exchange within this group provided an ideal format for a most detailed discussion of the project development, e.g. in small discussion groups, seminars series, group meetings, and/or literature seminars. Each young researcher was also associated with the groups of CLINT collaborators. All researchers working on a specific topic met at least every 6 months, while a more frequent regular communication between young investigators in collaborating laboratories was strongly encouraged.
  • The CLINT colloquium (during the semester time).
    It served as a platform to disseminate CLINT research results (by CLINT members, including doctoral and postdoctoral researchers) and aimed for new international collaborations (invited guests). Besides giving their talk, external experts met and discussed with CLINTiRTG trainees.
  • Winter school.
    The progress of CLINT was reviewed at the annual winter schools. The programme for CLINTiRTG members included competence courses, as mentioned previously.
    Moreover, the retreat was used for the final selection of the CLINT Best Paper Award and CLINT Outreach Award. The attendance was mandatory for CLINTiRTG trainees.

External networking.

To enable appropriate dissemination of research results and to promote CLINT as a DFG initiative, several activities were conducted that involved the CLINTiRTG:

  • ‘Women in Science’ Conference
    The ‘Women in Science’ Conference was held in the fourth year of CLINT. It was organised in collaboration with the CLINT Equal Opportunities Team to promote female role models in the CLINT research field. Besides an excellent scientific programme, the conference included an open discussion on equal opportunity issues. Selected CLINTiRTG trainees participated in the organisation of the event, the attendance of all trainees was compulsory.
  • CLINT International Symposium / International CataLysis Networking Conference
    The CLINT International Symposium was held every two years, and it was co-organised by CLINTiRTG. Based on their accomplishments, CLINT trainees were given the opportunity to present their results in form of posters. A best poster award was granted by an international committee. Attendance of all CLINTiRTG trainees was compulsory.
  • Visits to international conferences and to international fairs.
    The CLINTiRTG trainees received support for presenting their work at relevant conferences and fairs upon short application to the CLINTiRG Management and based on a gender balanced and inclusive selection process.
  • External expertise programme.
    Following a competitive selection process based on short proposals of trainees, CLINTiRTG enabled stays in a partner laboratory abroad for several months. Visits to groups led by female scientists were particularly encouraged.