JOURNAL CLUB (OCT-DEC 2015)
A core activity for all PhD students, journal clubs develop presentation skills, broaden scientific knowledge and encourage scientific debate. Coupled with informal lunches, the NexGenAgriChem Early Stage Researchers each presented a seminal high impact paper to the rest of the cohort, commenting on the methodology and results and the publication's relevance to their own research. Presentations were then followed by questions from the rest of the group and from members of the Programme's Management team.
TECHNOLOGY TRANSFER FRAMEWORK (OCT-DEC 2015)
Each student selected a particular skill, technique or method that they used and had developed during their PhD and showcased this in a hands-on demonstration to the rest of the cohort. The presentations were coupled with lab / office tours to provide additional opportunities for synergies between projects to be developed.
CAREERS DAYS (APR 2016 & JULY 2017)
In the early stages of planning for career day events, the entire cohort was contacted for their suggestions for the type of speakers/professions they would be keen to learn more about. With these in mind, relevant, external speakers were contacted and invited to talk about their careers experiences and professions. This was followed by a drinks reception to provide an opportunity for networking.
Invited speakers included a Senior Scientist at GlaxoSmithKline, the Head of Invertebrate Genetics at Syngenta, a Research Group Leader at the Max Plank Institute in Germany, the co-Editor of The Economist, a Policy Officer at the Academy of Medical Sciences and a Patent Attorney at Marks & Clerk LLP.