Universität Wien

520032 VU Kicking off your PhD - Skills for a strong start (2025S)

5.00 ECTS (3.00 SWS), SPL 52 - Doktoratsstudium Physik
Continuous assessment of course work
Moodle
Tu 22.04. 09:00-17:00 Ort in u:find Details

Registration/Deregistration

Note: The time of your registration within the registration period has no effect on the allocation of places (no first come, first served).

Details

max. 15 participants
Language: English

Lecturers

Classes (iCal) - next class is marked with N

ESI Schrödinger lecture hall
Erwin Schrödinger International Institute for Mathematics and Physics (ESI)
Boltzmanngasse 9
1090 Wien
https://www.esi.ac.at/

  • Tuesday 01.04. 09:00 - 17:00 Ort in u:find Details
  • Monday 07.04. 09:00 - 18:00 Ort in u:find Details
  • Tuesday 29.04. 09:00 - 17:00 Ort in u:find Details
  • Thursday 08.05. 09:00 - 13:00 Ort in u:find Details

Information

Aims, contents and method of the course

This course provides early-stage PhD students with essential skills to build a strong foundation for their doctoral journey. The sessions focus on project planning, research management, academic communication, and future-oriented research skills.

Through interactive workshops, peer discussions, and hands-on activities, participants will develop tools to structure their PhD, manage research workflows, communicate their findings effectively, and engage with emerging technologies in research. The course emphasizes practical applications, helping students navigate the academic environment efficiently while fostering long-term research success. Students will also be required to complete post-course assignments to reinforce and apply the skills learned during the workshop.

COURSE SYLLABUS

1. Starting Strong (01.04.2025, 09:00 - 17:00)
• Welcome and Orientation: Understanding the PhD process, setting expectations
• Project Management: an introduction - with contributions from Andrei Flueras
• Hands-on Workshop: Structuring your PhD as a long-term research project

2. Tools for Effective Research (07.04.2025, 09:00 - 18:00)
• Research Data Management: Best practices for handling and storing research data - with contributions from Emily Kate and Michael Feichtinger
• Literature Management: Searching, organizing, and citing research effectively
• Introduction to Open Access Publishing - with contributions from Guido Blechl
• Version Control & Collaboration: Introduction to GitHub - with contributions from Alessandro Coretti
• Interactive Workshop: Managing expectations in your PhD (time commitment, deadlines, feedback, supervision, training,...) - with contributions from VDSP members
• Science Aperitif & Peer Reflection Clinic

3. Communicating Research - Oral presentations (22.04.2025, 09:00 - 17:00)
• Introduction to communicating research: Overview of communication formats
• Structuring a scientific talk
• Delivering a scientific talk
• Hands-on workshop: Preparing a short oral presentation

4. Communicating Research - Short talks and posters (29.04.2025, 09:00 - 17:00)
• Peer presentations and feedback: Delivering prepared short talks with feedback and video recording
• Designing effective posters: Structure, visual clarity, delivery
• Hands-on workshop: Drafting and refining a research poster OR jury exercise

5. Future-oriented research skills (08.05.2025, 09:00 - 13:00)
• Using AI in research: Overview, tools, and hands-on activities - with contributions from Christoph Dellago
• Ethics in academia and responsible research
• Final Reflections and Course Wrap-Up

Assessment and permitted materials

The course is assessed based on active participation, in-class activities, and post-course assignments. Evaluation is based on:
• Engagement in discussions, group activities, and hands-on workshops
• Completion of short assignments (e.g., PhD project plan, research communication exercises, poster design)
• Final presentations in both oral and poster formats, with peer feedback
• Post-course assignments (see below)

The focus is on skill acquisition, reflection, and application of course concepts.

POST COURSE ASSIGNMENTS
After the workshop, students are required to complete the following tasks to apply the skills learned:
1. Slides for a Scientific Presentation: Create a set of well-structured slides for a scientific talk on their research project.
2. Video Presentation: Record a short video presenting their research project, applying the skills learned in oral communication.
3. Data Management Plan: Develop a structured data management plan for their PhD project, incorporating best practices for research data handling.
4. Research Poster: Design a scientific poster presenting their research project with a focus on clarity, visual impact, and concise messaging.

Minimum requirements and assessment criteria

To successfully complete the course, students must:
• Attend all sessions and participate actively
• Demonstrate application of key concepts in research planning, communication, and collaboration
• Engage in peer feedback exercises and contribute to group discussions
• Complete and present a structured PhD project plan and a research poster or short talk
• Submit all post-course assignments (presentation slides, video, data management plan, poster)

Assessment is based on participation, engagement, and completion of post-course tasks.

Examination topics

There is no formal written exam. However, students are expected to:
• Develop and present a PhD project plan outlining research goals and management strategies
• Demonstrate competency in literature management, data handling, and collaboration tools
• Prepare and deliver an oral presentation and a research poster
• Reflect on academic integrity, ethical research practices, and the use of AI in research
• Complete and submit post-class assignments

These topics are covered through interactive discussions, assignments, and final presentations.

Reading list

Reference to reading materials, and resources will be provided throughout the course.

Association in the course directory

Doktorat Physik

Last modified: Tu 01.04.2025 00:03