A strong network can be invaluable in life – whether it sparks new ideas, opens new doors or fosters collaborations. And you never know when it might come in handy. At the IMPRS-APS, one of the program’s greatest strengths lies in its vibrant community: from PhD candidates and alumni in diverse research fields to contacts in industry. Last week, the young researchers of the graduate school had the opportunity to strengthen this network at their annual meeting at Schloss Ringberg near Tegernsee.
Throughout the retreat, the participants gained insights into each other’s research through short presentations – with topics ranging from energy transfer in vibronically coupled systems to differential molecular fingerprinting in Cr:Zns laser systems for bio-medical applications to hydrogen spectroscopy.
A special highlight was a talk by Maximilian Binzer from Prof. Jürgen Hauer’s group, who reflected on his PhD journey and his time at the IMPRS-APS – also emphasizing the importance of the invaluable IMPRS-APS network.
This year’s retreat also included an internal selection round. PhD candidates from within the IMPRS-APS research groups presented their work as part of their application process. The graduate school is delighted to welcome eight new students to the program - each bringing new perspectives to the community.
On the final day, the participants engaged in an interactive workshop on “Good scientific practice”, led by trainer Dr. Ilona Lipp. Through hands-on activities, they learned about responsible research practices, explored the boundaries of clear standards, gray areas and outright misconduct, and reflected on how to build research cultures that facilitate good scientific practice. The session reinforced that fostering a culture of research integrity is a shared responsibility across the entire academic ecosystem, from students to senior scientists.
The IMPRS-APS Annual Meeting was a great success – not only for the scientific exchange, but also for the meaningful connections formed during coffee break, shared meals, as well as evening games and music. Even the snowy hike down the mountain on the last day – when the bus couldn’t reach the castle – became a memorable moment that perfectly capped off the event.
Pictures: Nina Beier
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