CRC 1412/2: Integrated Research Training Group (SP MGK)

The IRTG (Integrated Research Training Group - Modul Graduiertenkolleg) is a scientific service project
that provides a supportive environment and space for independent research work and training opportunities
in the CRC. We provide a structured program based on the course of a doctorate: an onboarding phase, a
research and networking phase, followed by the final phase and the transition to the postdoc phase. Phasetypical
topics are integrated into the program and the skills taught are tailored accordingly to this path.
The central program pillars of the IRTG are qualification, supervision, fellowships, networking and exchange,
management and support. Our qualification program consists of courses on register research, methodology
units, workshops on research by visiting scientists and additional skills training by external experts. We
organize regular meetings for exchange and internal feedback. Every year, we monitor the progress of our
members through progress reports. We are the contact point for questions about the doctorate, possible
crises and training requests. The IRTG’s fellowship program is primarily aimed at international guests and
recent MA graduates.
In Phase I, 22 PhD candidates and 17 fellows were members of the IRTG. In addition to the doctoral
candidates and visiting fellows, we have also accepted postdocs and associated doctoral students from the
CRC environment into the program. We work closely with the funding institutions in the environment
and network with other programs, also in order to keep up to date in the area of promoting early-career
researchers (ECRs).
The IRTG is an accompanying program that is linked to all areas and committees of the CRC in order to
create an optimal learning and research environment for the ERCs. Overall, and despite the great difficulties
of the first two years, the program has been successful and an important part of the CRC’s ECR training.
We would like to continue the work in Phase II in this way with minor changes. The program for Phase I
and Phase II is described in more detail below.