Fellows will be supported and trained according to their individual needs and in line with the principles outlined in the European Charter for Researchers. A team of different experts will provide comprehensive support throughout the fellowship. Scientific training will focus on the individual research project (training through research) and be supplemented by further research-related courses/events. In addition a wide range of seminars and workshops to enhance transferable skills will be offered to support the development of each researcher and maximise later employability. Therfore the applicants already should identify courses and describe a possible training programme in their proposal.
Later, according to the needs of the fellow and/or the project an individual Personal Career Development Plan (PCDP) will be drawn up together with his/her supervisor(s) and updated on a regular basis.
Training on research skills
The scientific training is based on the principle “training through research”, and takes place through the actual implementation of the individual research project. With the aim that the fellows will learn, and use new methodologies and procedures as well as get to know the handling of new scientific instruments and software. This may be within their own research field, but also in adjoining or even more distant scientific fields if this makes sense in terms of the further development of the candidate. The envisaged scientific training and respective research skills milestones must be described and specified in the Personal Career Development Plan.
There will be two mandatory courses on research skills offered by the House of Young Talents (HYT) of the University of Siegen, to make sure all fellows have the same level of knowledge on some general research related topic and to raise awareness right from the start of the fellowship before potential problems can arise:
- Research data management and Open Science/Open Data
- Rules of good scientific practice
Fellows will also be able to take advantage of the training courses offered by the partner institutions, or within other programmes of the University of Siegen, as well as other courses offered by the HYT. Fellows can also use the funds allocated to Research, Training, and Networking to participate in external training courses of their choosing.
Training in non-research oriented transferable skills
To complement the Training on research skills, the House of Young Talents (HYT) will offer, together with partner institutions, or external institutions and training providers, a wide range of courses and workshops that are appropriate for experienced researchers.
Fellows will be able to freely choose between training opportunities from this portfolio or make their own suggestions from on-demand courses by partners and external providers. We highly recommend to include the course “Publication Strategies” and for incoming researchers also “Introduction to the German Academic System” in their Personal Career Development Plan.
The HYT will ensure a minimum set of relevant and high-level courses for fellows to choose from including but not limited to:
- Introduction to the German Academic System
- Publication strategies
- Advanced grant proposal writing using the ERC Starting/Consolidator Grant as a template
- Transfer and commercial/entrepreneurial exploitation of research results, including patents and software licences.
- Career development for Experienced Researchers with individual coaching.
- Leadership qualifications
- Equal opportunities in academic careers
- Advanced project management
- Presentation skills
- Science communication
- CV writing
- Training on job interviews
You can find the current course programme here
Language courses
Language courses in 13 languages are offered by the University of Siegen Language Centre and can be attended by the fellows free of charge. Language courses are also provided by external organisations. The project manager can assist in finding the best solution for you and, if applicable, for your accompanying family members.
Other
Based on the fellow’s envisaged career path, they will receive assistance with the preparation of research proposals (e.g., ERC Grants) during their fellowship from the Universities Research Funding Department. In addition, fellows will be offered the opportunity to teach undergraduate/advanced students and/or to co-supervise PhD students. Fellows are also required to participate in other communication and public outreach activities (to the general public, schools, etc.).
| Previous Topic: Secondments | Next Topic: Eligibility Criteria |