VDS-PhaNuSpo Lab Exchange Initiative

Are you a VDS-PhaNuSpo PhD candidate?

Are you eager to see different lab environments and to learn new techniques not available in your lab?

Do you want to see other cultures of collaboration and communication?

Then be a part of the VDS-PhaNuSpo Lab Exchange Initiative!

Graphics with 2 people working in a lab environment

Goals

  • The aim of the lab exchange initiative is to foster interdisciplinary collaboration and enrich the research experience of our PhD students within and across the three PhaNuSpo disciplines.
  • The initiative aims to equip the next generation of scientists with the skills, perspectives and networks needed to tackle the complex challenges of the future.
  • The initiative operates on a voluntary basis and invites all our enthusiastic PhD students who wish to broaden their academic repertoire beyond the confines of their own research group, as well as all our PIs, to support this initiative.

Added value

  • Learn new techniques ranging from human physiology studies, molecular biology techniques to high-end in vivo imaging.
  • Get inspiration and new ideas to address questions within your PhD topic.
  • Meet and interact with scientists from different research areas.
  • So, choose one of our participating PIs' labs/units that inspires you. This may be a lab from a different department than you are affiliated with.

Advantages over international laboratory exchange programmes

  • If the idea and the experience do not match your expectations, it is much easier to adapt or stop the exchange.
  • You have greater flexibility in adapting the lab visit to your ongoing PhD project in terms of frequency, duration and speed of learning new techniques.
  • It’s easier on your budget as a doctoral candidate.
  • It enhances the development of institutional and interdisciplinary knowledge within your own organisation.

How to do it

  • Think of an idea that you have always wanted to implement but have not been able to.
  • Identify a lab of one of our participating PIs that inspires you and meets your needs. This could be a lab in a different department to where you work. You can find a list of all participating labs here (Intranet).
  • Talk to your supervisor about your idea.
  • Talk to the PI of the lab you want to visit about your idea.
  • Write up your agreement (e.g. your idea, duration, supervision, coverage of consumables, and other issues you feel necessary such as confidentiality of research content) and have it signed by all parties involved. Keep this document short but concise.
  • Please email a copy of this document to vds.phanuspo@univie.ac.at.