Training
PULSE will equip exceptional scientists with a set of core research, advanced research and transferable skills to make them well-prepared and highly resilient leaders in Life Science and innovation across disciplines. PULSE postdocs will be fostered in an international network, in- and outside of academia, providing a high-powered launch pad as a base for their future careers.
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Training objectives
Personal career development plan
Organization of training
Secondments and other training options
Additional information
Training objectives
The program will equip postdocs with core research skills and experience from an area within life sciences, as well as further skills and knowledge in cutting-edge science, technologies and methodologies. Skills in data management, Open Science and FAIR principles needed to handle large amounts of data, will also be honed.
Furthermore, the program will build postdocs’ skills related to innovation and translation, as well as transferable skills required to be a proficient leader in life science research. It will also provide an interdisciplinary, intersectoral and international network with strong links to both academia, healthcare and industry.
Personal career development plan
At the beginning of the PULSE project, each PULSE postdoc will together with their supervisor panel and the PULSE Training and Career development committee design a tailored training program in their Personal Career Development Plan (PCDP), that will be updated annually. The PCDP will empower the PULSE postdocs and support them in taking responsibility for their career development.
The PCDP considers measurable factors, e.g. scientific and transferable training goals and research output, but also favours a holistic career view by looking at work-life balance, mental health and other career influencing factors.
In addition, the Implementing partners have Career support offices, available for PULSE postdocs.
Organization of training
The Core scientific training will primarily be implemented in the local setting of the hosting institution where postdoc’s daily research and networking takes place, and it will be based on the individual project. In addition to deepened knowledge within the research area this will include e.g. project design, state-of-the-art methodology and technology, and data analysis
Advanced scientific training will be augmented through mandatory secondments and additional opportunities to up-skilling through the PULSE Consortium, that will enable postdocs to gain an advanced skill set in abstract, critical, analytical thinking and sharpen their skills in strategic and systemic problem solving and foster their creativity. SciLifeLab offers a wide array of advanced training in technology- and data-driven life science, e.g. bioinformatics, imaging, data analysis and management, tools for reproducible research, biostatistics and machine learning/AI, and ethics in data and research including the FAIR principles. Alongside courses and seminars there are mentorship programs and drop-in opportunities for discussing your own projects. More information here: Training at SciLifeLab.
SciLifeLab PULSE views certain topics and training to be of significant importance, independent of the research area. These Transferable skills are structured within PULSE into science communication (to academic and non-academic audience), sustainable leadership and further key competencies, as outlined in the overview of PULSE training. The transferable skills training is the common denominator for the PULSE postdocs, and will be implemented in dedicated sessions back-to-back with PULSE annual meetings.
Secondments and other training options
PULSE postdocs are required to complete a 3-6 month secondment. These can be carried out with any of the 33 PULSE partner organisations.
Academic track postdocs may split secondments into up to three placements, while those on the entrepreneurial track will work with industrial partners. The secondment’s benefits and learning outcomes must be detailed in the project description and PCDP.
Optional short visits (up to 4 weeks) to relevant institutions are encouraged, aligned with the postdoc’s career development plan. Additional training not available at the host institution or partner organisations can be arranged externally. Postdocs are also expected to attend two international and three national conferences and have access to various seminars, technology, and core training during their 3-year project.
Additional information
This page will be continuously updated.
N.B. Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.