Teaching Concept

Within RESPONSE we will train doctoral researchers in state-of-the-art scientific methods across biological disciplines. Training will be provided to a team of 12 doctoral researchers in each cohort. Each doctoral researcher will be jointly supervised by a thesis committee, and will be initially supported by a tutor as well as by local services of Greifswald University. A supervision agreement will determine the rights and duties of the doctoral researchers. Their research skills will be developed by means of an integrated, two-tier programme of formal research training in academia and / or in private business companies (or e.g. NGOs), in combination with individual training-through-research projects, including a mandatory exchange between collaborating partners. The formal training will include e.g. summer schools, journal clubs, and lectures. Specific training elements on complementary skills will enhance the career prospects of the doctoral researchers. Intensive career support services will be provided through personal career development plans and mentoring arrangements. The resulting scientists will have a deep understanding of the mechanisms facilitating survival in changing environments and will thus be able to meet associated challenges by integrating basic research and applied sciences.