The Nuclear Dynamics ISP - Skills Training

The Nuclear Dynamics ISP aims to have a cohort of students (currently around 10 across the year groups) studying for their PhD in research groups supported by one or more postdocs.

In addition to scientific training, students are encouraged to develop their ‘transferable skills’, for example participating in schemes such as BBSRC’s Biotech YES business plan competition to gain an awareness of business development/commercialisation processes, undertaking public engagement work and presenting their research at conferences.

Cassandra Hogan was selected to participate in the University of Cambridge’s Rising Stars programme in 2008 - a course in public engagement and educational outreach for undergraduates, postgraduates, postdocs and early career academics.

The Nuclear Dynamics ISP Group Leaders have also supported the training of Master’s students from Italy, selected through the Da Vinci UniPharma Graduates Project which is coordinated by the University of Rome. Since 2007, five such students have received 6 months’ training within the Nuclear Dynamics ISP Laboratories, a number of whom have continued with further degrees either at Babraham or in Italy.

Undergraduates and 6th formers, supported by organisations such as the Nuffield Foundation, Biochemical Society, Genetics Society, BBSRC and AMGEN, have been selected to undertake summer research projects of between 6 and 10 weeks in the Institute’s research laboratories. In addition to the skills developed by the bursary holder, those supervising in the hosting laboratories have gained valuable training and mentoring experience.

Dr Claire Cockcroft, who runs Babraham’s public engagement activites commented, "It is through these schemes that school students get first-hand insight into the world of research, and a greater understanding of its relevance to society. We hope this will inspire them to consider research or science-based careers, contributing to the UK’s future need for science, technology, engineering and maths skills."

Key publications from the Nuclear Dynamics ISP

Translating the ISP's Research into Action (KEC)

Public Engagement

Skills training