In addition to this local
training and the secondment programme described in the next section,
several network-wide training activities, incorporating also
complementary skills, will be scheduled, thus:
- The early stage and experienced
researchers will be exposed to the full range of research methods
and techniques in their task area through regular workshops.
- The consortium will organize
Summer Schools each year—taught by the team members and
outside experts—to train the early stage and experienced
researchers in all of the techniques and methods relevant to
molecular astrophysics. During these Summer Schools, a special
course will be offered by a communication specialist on presentation
techniques. This will include short presentations by the early stage
and experienced researchers on their own research. Together with
their respective supervisor, the communication specialist will
evaluate these presentations and provide positive feedback on the
presentation skills. These Summer Schools will also provide the
opportunity to train the early stage and experienced researchers in
awareness of ethical issues, intellectual property issues, and in
enterprise and project management skills.
- The consortium will organize
topical workshops—at least one a year—on more limited
aspects of the work undertaken by the consortium which will then be
explored in depth. The ESRs/ERs involved in that aspect are expected
to attend and to present their results at these workshops.
- Once a year, the consortium will
organize a meeting for all contractors where the appointed
ESRs/ERs—as well as the team members—will present their
results.
- The appointed ESRs/ERS are
expected to attend at least one international conference on their
topic during their appointment and present their results as a
contributed paper.
- The consortium will organize an
international meeting on astrochemistry near the end of the project,
which will give the appointed ESRs/ERs a golden opportunity to
present their results to an international forum of experts.
- The appointed ERs/ESRs will meet
at the yearly consortium meeting in so-called “ER/ESR
Meetings”, which will provide them with the opportunity to
develop collaborations among themselves.
- Deputy Task Managers will be
appointed from among the ER to provide them with management
experience in running a large consortium.
- The communication skills of the
early stage and experienced researchers will be further advanced by
giving presentations for a larger audience of scientists—but
not necessarily experts in the field of molecular astrophysics—at
their home institutes.