Curriculum
Thesis Advisory Committees (TAC)
PhD students within the Cell Death-RTG need a Thesis Advisory Committees (TAC):
Each PhD student will select two mentors for her/his TAC. We advise that one mentor should be chosen from the SFB 1403 faculty and one from outside the SFB 1403 faculty but with complementary expertise. One of the mentors needs to be a university professor, the other one has to be at least an independent group leader. TAC meetings are mandatory:
- 6 months after starting to work on the projects: individual TAC meeting to present and discuss details of the prospective project (Written and oral report)
- 1, 2 and 3 years after initial project proposal: first, second and third year reports to discuss with the TAC members (Written and oral report)
Cologne Cell Death Club seminar series
In addition to basic lectures, PhDs and Postdocs have the opportunity to actively participate in the monthly seminar series Cologne Cell Death Club. PhDs and Postdocs can take part in the "Meet the Speakers Lunch" to discuss science and career wit the speakers. Furthermore a team of PhD students and Postdocs participate in the selection and invitation of the Cologne Cell Death Club guest speakers.
Internal Cologne Cell Death Club seminar series
In order to support scientific exchange/communication PhD students and Postdoc can present their data in a monthly internal Cell Death Club Seminar Series without PIs present. They present their scientific progress in individual projects in an informal atmosphere in the absence of their advisors. If you are interested in to take part at the iCCDC, you can contact the Committee here.
Symposia organised by PhD students
Every second year, Cell Death-RTG PhDs can participate in the organization of an international symposium together with other PhD students under the aegis of the GSfBS (For example "Crossroads in Biology (CIB)" regularly organized under the GSfBS).
Scientific and transferable skill courses and workshops
The IPMM and GSfBS offer a variety of courses and workshops to foster the development of additional important skills, such as in statistics, bioinformatics and data visualization, good scientific practice (compulsory), conflict management, scientific presentation (oral/poster), scientific writing (paper/grant application), patenting, female careers, skills for project managers, career management both for academic careers and for the wider job market.
Furthermore, PhD students and early Postdocs will also be able to join courses offered by the Albertus Magnus Center (AMC), and Human Resources (HR) Development for Researchers.
Beyond these opportunities PhD students and Postdocs will be supported to attend external practical courses, visiting labs outside the SFB, or participate in Summer Schools at Cold Spring Harbour Labs, the EMBL, or elsewhere, to acquire further skills.