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Training is integrated throughout the 4 year programme combining essential training for all PGRs (postgraduate researchers) with the flexibility to tailor training to the needs and interests of each individual. Training across 4 years makes the programme more accessible to those working part-time, requiring additional support, or with additional responsibilities. PGRs will complete an initial personal development plan within the first 3 months which is reflected upon and revised every 6 months.
Essential training will ensure competency in research, innovation, impact and professional skills relevant across diverse careers
In person training events
In person training events
The whole cohort comes together three times a year. Training events attended in person include:
The 3-day November residential includes training specific for each PGR year, with opportunities to network across the whole cohort with academic and non-academic partners. In Year 1 the residential includes an introduction to the Plant BioDesign programme, personal resilience training and a synthetic biology Hackathon providing training in biological circuit design and standards with application to a plant engineering challenge.
The Plant Engineering Biology Symposium is a new symposium bringing together plant engineering biology researchers across the UK. It provides PGRs with the opportunity to build their scientific networks, learn about exciting plant engineering biology research, met industry and opportunities to showcase their own research.
Summer training day provides relevant training to each year cohort, with Year 1 training focusing on scientific communication and an introduction to using machine learning in research.
In Year 2-4 training activities will include FAIR data management, open research, responsible research and innovation, ethics and regulation, commercialisation pathways and entrepreneurship, scientific writing, and career-based skills.
Online cohort training events
Online cohort training events
Online cohort-wide training includes a weekly coding club in Year 1 teaching data types, data structures, iteration and modularisation, and providing key concepts for writing scalable and efficient programs. A monthly online Plant BioDesign Journal Club will keep PGRs connected, up to date with relevant science and provide an opportunity for invited speakers.
Year 1 PGRs will also take the University of Bristol's ‘Engineering Biology Design Across Scales’ module. This covers synthesis, modification and assembly of biomolecules; design and assembly of nanostructures; rational and computational de novo protein design; advanced genetic circuit design, standardisation of parts and devices; design-build-test-learn cycles; computer-aided biological design tools; metabolic engineering, whole-cell and systems modelling.
Flexible training
Flexible training
Flexible training includes modules offered at each host institution, optional training events organised by Plant BioDesign or other doctoral programmes at host institutions, opportunities to spend time in collaborator groups, conference and summer school participation.
Supervisory teams will encourage PGRs to participate in a range of training opportunities including research exchange and secondment opportunities, national and international conferences and workshops, and business accelerator programmes.
Placements with non-academic partners
Placements with non-academic partners
All PGRs undertake a placement for 3 months. PGRs are free to organise their own placements, with regular interaction with non-academic partners providing opportunities to network. Placement hosts can include bioscience, IP, finance, commercialisation, outreach, and policy/regulatory organisations.
PGRs with CASE studentships will spend 3-18 months at the partner organisation exposing them to industry research and enabling them to understand the sector/business supporting their research.
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