General information about the „Chemistry and Moleculare Sciences“ PhD-Program

Since January 2013 the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry cooperates with the University of Zurich in the framework of the PhD-Program „Chemistry and Molecular Sciences“. Together with the University of Zurich the University of Berne organizes

• Lectures
• Summer Schools
• Soft-Skill-Courses

for the PhD-students and Postdocs of both universities. This document summarizes the various program parts and the responsible contact persons.

Lectures

Contact person: Prof. Philippe Renaud is the contact person in Bern for the “guest speaker program” at the University of Bern.

The chemistry professors of the DCB ask external professors/experts to hold a lecture at the University of Berne. During the visit of the guest speaker the PhD-students and professors have the opportunity to discuss their research area with the guest speaker. These discussions can take place at luncheons with the guest speaker together with up to 6 PhD-students, during group visits by the guest speaker and during a dinner with professors of the DCB.

Administration: The guest speaker will get compensated with the reimbursement of his travel expenses. Lunch and dinner expenses of the university employees will be reimbursed through the student administration office.

Summer School

Contact person: Prof. Philippe Renaud is the contact person in Bern for the “Summer School”-Program.

Each summer 1-2 Summer Schools are organized at the Eurotel Victoria in Villars-sur-Ollon. The organizers are usually professors of the University of Bern and the University of Zurich and these Summer Schools will be offered to students of both universities but also to interested participants of other universities or the industry.

Administration: The organizer himself is responsible for the announcement of the Summer School, the registrations, the information of the hotel about the details of the stay etc. The financial administration of the organic Summer Schools is handled through the University of Zurich and that of the physical/inorganic Summer Schools through the student administration office in Bern.

Soft-Skill-Courses

Contact person: Prof. Jean-Louis Reymond is the contact person in Bern for the “Soft-Skill-Course”-Program.

Each year the following Soft-Skill-Courses will be offered for PhD-students and Postdocs:

1. Communication Skills
2. Management Skills
3. Leadership Skills
4. Writing for Publications in Chemistry and Biochemistry

There are usually up to 24 spots available for the first three courses for each, the students from the University of Berne and the students from the University of Zurich. The courses will be organized based on demand. For the 4th course there are 15 spots available in Berne. This course will normally be offered in the winter/spring.

Administration: A part of the costs will be covered by the participating industrial partners. The remaining travel expenses will be covered by the PhD-program and can get reimbursed through the student administration office.