We are fully aware that each PhD student starts with a different scientific background. In order to bring you all on the same level of knowledge, our curriculum starts with a mandatory lecture series that introduce you to all LOCOTACT-relevant topis

The lectures have taken place as interactive seminars via Zoom between January and July 2021. They have been recorded so that everyone who joins our consortium at a later time point can easily catch up in order to aquire a basic knowledge in thyroid hormone (TH) physiology and signaling as well aspects of cardiovascular, brain and liver research.

See here our lecture plan to get a deeper insight into the topics. Please feel free to contact the respective lecturer if you have any questions.

These monthly seminars take place via Zoom and are divided into two parts:

Journal Club: One recently published paper is presented by one of our iRTG fellows. This will not only help you to be ‘up to date’ with current literature about your research field but you will also learn to critically review publications and transfer this critical thinking to your own projects.

Progress Report: Two iRTG fellows will provide progress reports about their doctoral thesis including an introduction into the topic and methodology. Like this, you can train your presentation skills, receive feedback to your project and exchange information between LOCOTACT researchers at different locotations and in different projects.

The iRTG closely collaborates with the local graduate schools at the different CRC locations to offer the maximal variety and flexibility of workshops and soft-skill courses. As many courses are currently conducted digitally, it is in most cases also possible to attend courses at other CRC locations.

All iRTG members who work in projects conducting experiments with lab animals, will have the possibility to obtain a FELASA B certificate in a combined theoretical and practical workshop. Please contact me if you need further information.

Moreover, we also organize customized closed workshops. In 2021, we offered the following closed workshops:

• GraphPad Prism Statistics Workshop
• Basic German Course (ongoing)
• Scientific Writing Workshop

Working in a CRC/TR means that our iRTG members are spreaded over the whole country. Nevertheless, it is important to be part of a team of fellows who go through the same phases of a doctoral project as you do.

"What is the recipe for successful achievement? To my mind there are just four essential ingredients: Choose a career you love, give it the best there is in you, seize your opportunities, and be a member of the team." – Benjamin Franklin

Therefore, we meet as often as possible with the whole group to strengthen the group dynamics, to exchange ideas and challenges and to have some fun time! 

For example, in November 2021 we met in person for a Scientific Writing Workshop. In the evening, we had the nice opportunity to visit Münster's Christmas Market and enjoyed some tasty Glühwein.