Qualification Program

One day symposium within the first weeks after arrival of the doctoral researchers of each cohort comprising welcome notes, a presentation of the structure, concept and philosophy of the program, introduction of the principal investigators (PIs) and their projects and general information about the environment at the University of Stuttgart, followed by a get-together party.

Each incoming doctoral researcher participates in one or two M.Sc. course(s) (in total 6 CP) selected to fill potential knowledge gaps in one field of the interdisciplinary project. These courses are identified by the doctoral researcher together with the supervisor, depending on the topic of the doctoral project and previous education of the doctoral researcher. 

In this weekly lecture series running over the first year of the qualification program, Epi­Signal PIs introduce their research and the scientific concepts related to the different fields of Epi­Signal. The lectures will also cover subject oriented introductions and will give insights into the both basic and more advanced experimental and conceptual approaches in the different fields of Epi­Signal. 

The Epi­Signal Seminar is held every second week as a central exchange and group-building measure. Seminars typically comprise one progress report by a doctoral researcher followed by an in-depth scientific discussion with the doctoral researchers and all PIs. In addition, there is a presentation of a research paper by a doctoral researcher with two other doctoral researchers assigned as formal “opponents” to foster critical scientific discussion. Once in year 3, the Epi­Signal Seminar will organize a Career day and invite previous coworkers of the PIs, who are now employed in leading academic or industrial positions in the biomedical field. These alumnae will briefly introduce their career path and explain their current working environment, expectations of the employer, required skills, and perspectives of their occupation. 

A yearly annual retreat occurs at an external place over three days with participation of doctoral researchers, PIs, External Advisory Board members, and international guests. It includes oral presentations by selected doctoral researchers, selected PIs and External Advisory Board members, in addition to posters presented by all doctoral researchers. The annual retreat also includes group-building and social activities. During the fourth year of the funding period, the Epi­Signal annual retreat will be organized as an international symposium presenting the consortium's scientific accomplishments to the broader scientific community.

Epi­Signal organizes a yearly Tech school running over 3 days. At this event, the Epi­Signal doctoral researchers learn new techniques, or gain more expertise in already used techniques in hands-on training courses that are supervised by other doctoral researchers (peer-to-peer training). This broadens the technical skills of the doctoral researchers and provides experiences as instructors.

The following topics are covered by the Tech school: advanced image analysis (segmentation, cell tracking, quantification), advanced microscopy (time-lapse imaging, high/super-resolution imaging), flow cytometry (multiparametric cell sorting and dispensing), 3D cell culture systems (organoids), mass spectrometry (proteomics, PTMs, protein-protein interactions), epigenome analysis (Bisulfite- and ChIP-seq), CRISPR/(d)Cas9 genome and epigenome editing, genome/transcriptome data analysis, peptide array synthesis and applications, methyltransferase and kinase assays, semisynthetic protein synthesis methods, data-integrated simulation and modeling.

The research education and presentation skills of the doctoral researchers are further developed by participation at international conferences and potential short-term visits at external labs. Each doctoral researcher should attend at least two national/international conferences scheduled in the second half of their doctoral studies. This will include mandatory oral or poster presentations of their work. Epi­Signal also supports scientific visits of doctoral researchers at external research groups in academia or industry. 

Epi­Signal doctoral researchers attend seminars presented by external and international speakers initially invited by the Epi­Signal PIs and EpiSignal doctoral researchers.

The Epi­Signal RTG will provide dedicated training in transferable skills through Epi­Signal Workshops each semester covering conflict resolution, gender and diversity awareness, anti-bias, good research practice, and aspects of scientific communication. This will be complemented by courses selected from the offers of the Graduate Academy of the University of Stuttgart (GRADUS).