Courses
Workshops offered at all four CEPLAS partner institutions are open to CEPLAS doctoral and postdoctoral researchers (subject to space availability). For a complete list of courses available at CEPLAS partner institutions, please check the official websites (e.g. iGRAD, HeRA, GSfBS, AMC, UoC Postdoc Career Program). Please see as well our course archive, as several of the courses will be offered annually.
Below are examples of upcoming courses. These are allocated to core competencies expected of graduate researchers and postdocs, based on definitions from the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA). You are encouraged to learn more about the core competencies and explore related resources.
Courses are divided into the following categories:
2. Research Skill Development
Data Visualization Training Workshop
TOPIC →
In this workshop, you will learn how to communicate data graphically for exploratory data analysis, papers, reports and web based graphics.
Graphical visualization is the main medium to communicate data; designing and programming a data visualization is a nuanced skill, that can be challenging but fun to master.
SCHEDULE →
The workshop will take place over three days, with 2 x 4h sessions per day. Each session is hands-on.
- Programming in R (optional)
- Data visualization basics: the semiology and the grammar of graphics.
- Exploratory data analysis.
- How to improve your graphs.
- Graphics for whom? Target your graphs to your audience.
- Data Driven Reports.
Participants that already feel confident with R and Tidyverse, can skip the first session. A quick self assessment exercise will be made available weeks before the workshop starts.
FOR WHOM →
The workshop is targeted to CEPLAS young scientists.
During the workshop we will design and program dataviz and data driven
report with R, Quarto and a bit of Javascript. Everyone is welcome to join the
workshop, and no previous knowledge is required.
Every session of the workshop is hands-on , participants should carry their
own laptop.
MEET THE TRAINER →
Otho Mantegazza is a CEPLAS alumnus. He holds a PhD in molecular
genetics from the University of Milan, and has experience in the life science
field both for lab work and data analysis.After moving out of academia, he worked at Accurat, a information design
studio dedicated to graphic design, data visualization and web development.
REGISTRATION →
There is only one free spot left. Please write an Email to office[at]ceplas.de if you want to register.
Gentechnische Arbeiten in gentechnischen Anlagen
Peer Review in Research Funding and Publishing – Deliberating the Value of Insight
Individual statistical consultation
Individual statistical consultation: If you are facing statistical or bioinformatic problems you can always contact the Center for Bioinformatics and Biostatistics (CBiBs) for individual consultation. Please write an E-Mail to CBiBs and ask for a consultation date. CEPLAS will cover the costs that might be charged.
3. Communication Skills
Preparing for Potential Conflicts
Negotiation Training
First Audition? How to apply for a professorship
Professional Moderation of Online and Offline Events
Academic Writing for Postdocs (Online)
Giving and receiving feedback
Get into Teaching
Language courses: German and English
English for Junior Researchers
JUNO Language Tandem Program
CEPLAS Science Communication Module 2023
In 2023, CEPLAS will again organize a Science Communication module. The module will consist of several workshops like
- Basics of Science Communications
- Successfully communicating your research - Journalistic writing and communicating to the media
- Science Communication and Social Media
- Videos in Science: Writing, shooting and editing
More details will follow.
Participation in individual courses is possible. For receiving a certificate on the Science Communication module, participation in several elements is mandatory.
For questions please contact Dr. Petra Bracht.
German Language Courses
Hochschuldidaktik (in German)
Angebote der Hochschuldidaktik der Heinrich-Heine-Universität Düsseldorf
Angebote des Zentrums für Hochschuldidaktik der Universität zu Köln
First Audition? How to apply for professorship
Self-Marketing and Networking in Science
More information...
Digital e-learning platform for postdocs
Learning and Encouragement through Feedback – Tools and Practices for High-Quality Collaboration in Academia
4. Professionalism
Prospects: Online Talk Series on DFG Funding Opportunities for Research Careers
Resilience & Well-being in Academia
This workshop provides you with tools to increase your resilience to stress, anxiety and burnout, and to enhance your overall well-being as well as navigate everyday work and the challenges you face as an early career researcher.
Overview:
Academia is an ultramarathon that we try to run as a sprint. This approach tends to leave us with little time or energy for life outside of work and very few resources to cope when we face challenges. But a healthier approach to research is possible and is essential if you want to build a sustainable career in academia (or anywhere else in this fast-paced, competitive world we live in).
Despite our increasing diversity, academics tend to harbour a common chorus of voices in our heads. Voices that demand perfection, or that tell us we aren’t good enough and we don’t belong here; voices that have driven us to excel, but that also charge a pretty high tax. A tax on our emotional, mental and physical health.
Yes, the environment is a contributor to the unhealthy, counterproductive lifestyle many of us live. However, we as individuals can address the way we approach academia to buffer us against stress and burnout, worry and fear, and the toxic competition we are often surrounded by.
Topics to explore, among others, in the full-day workshop:
- Self-critical inner voices that sabotage your motivation and enjoyment for your work;
- How your mindset can help or hinder your day-to-day life and your future career prospects;
- How certain maladaptive coping strategies (e.g., procrastination and avoidance) maintain these self-sabotaging thought and behaviour cycles.
- How to reshape your thinking (e.g., imposter syndrome)) and behaviour patterns to work for you in pursuit of your goals
Trainer: Desiree Dickerson
Desiree Dickerson PhD is a clinical psychologist who specialises in academic mental health and well- being. A former researcher herself, Desiree is now based in Europe and works with leading academic institutions, lab groups, and academics themselves in the pursuit of a healthier approach to research.
As a former postdoctoral researcher in the neurosciences and a clinical psychologist, Desiree has worked at both ends of the spectrum - from (lab) bench to bedside. After working in research in New Zealand, Australia, and Austria, she now lives in Spain and spends her time helping academic institutions and academics themselves pursuit a healthier approach to research:
- reframing maladaptive thought and behaviour patterns that hinder our performance.
- developing habits and lifestyle choices that allow us to think, feel, perform and grow with clarity and intention.
- increasing resilience to highly stressful environments.
Location: HHU Düsseldorf, ZSL - building 22.07, floor U1, room 25
Registration: please follow this link to register for the workshop
Push your Job in Germany's Industry
Good to Know: Online info series for international researchers
Do your own thing! How to get started with your own business after your PhD
HHU Career Day 2023
Are you ready to take off? –
At the HHU Career Days on November 9 and 10, 2023, you can find out about interesting career opportunities outside university and get in contact with experts in your job field of interest.
On 9 and 10 November 2023, our exciting guests from different sectors will give insights into their current jobs and how they got there: live at the panel discussion on day 1 or online in different parallel sessions on day 2.
If you want to get new impulses for your own career, check the event website for more details on the program and register: www.hera.hhu.de/careerdays2023
Basics of the law on fixed-term contracts at universities, the „Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz" (WissZeitVG)
DFG-Förderangebote für wissenschaftliche Karrieren (in German)
Digital e-learning platform for postdocs
Developing your research funding strategy
5. Leadership and Management Skills
Self-Leadership under permanent pressure to perform
Intermediate Leadership
Digital e-learning platform for postdocs
Project management for postdocs and supervisors
Leadership Fundamentals: Building your Leadership Skills as an Early Career Scientist
6. Responsible Conduct of Research
Good Scientific Practice for postdocs and supervisors
Gute Wissenschaftliche Praxis für promovierte Wissenschaftler/innen (in German)
Good Scientific Practice for (Post)Doctoral Researchers
Good Scientific Practice for CEPLAS (Post)Doctoral Researchers 2024
Instructor: Dr. Christian Dumpitak, iGRAD, HHU Düsseldorf
This seminar, which is organised by iGRAD for CEPLAS doctoral researchers and postdocs, is a fundamental introduction to the principles for safeguarding good scientific practice as proposed by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG). It focuses on the perspectives of (post)doctoral researchers by introducing and discussing the following topics:
- Introduction to and definitions of Good Scientific Practice
- Potential areas of conflict in research
- Dishonest scientific practice, behaviour and possible consequences
- Data preparation and documentation
- Publishing, publications and scientific collaborations
- Supervision and organisational culture
- Strategies to prevent and to deal with potential problems and conflicts