The CRC1479 is highly committed to recruiting students and junior scientists to the budding research area integrating oncogenic signalling and immune escape mechanisms. The integration and support of PhD students, MD students and postdocs in the field of cancer research is a major aim of CRC1479. This is achieved by using the Integrated Research Training Programme (IRTG) of CRC1479 and the existing early career support structures in Freiburg.
The IRTG on the topic of cancer biology and immune escape is led and coordinated by Prof. Dr. Dr. Börries. This structured program has the following strengths to promote the graduate students’ scientific careers and their scientific independence and success: i) a structured curriculum described in a jointly signed dissertation agreement by the student, his/her supervisor and the IRTG coordinator; ii) a dedicated thesis committee comprised of the PhD supervisor and two members of the CRC, who supervise and guide the PhD student to evaluate and to discuss together with the student the short and long-term objectives and monitor the progress of the project; iii) a training program that includes the biweekly progress report, participation in the CRC seminar series, invitation of IRTG guest speakers for the seminar series, an annual retreat organized by the students themselves and participation in practical courses, workshops and soft skills courses; iv) continuation of the established CRC round table, which was introduced by the IRTG students of the CRC850, and is now organized by PhD students and Postdocs from all existing CRCs within the University of Freiburg, which provides an excellent platform for personal and scientific interaction, exchange and peer mentoring.
Furthermore, a weekly scientific seminar with invited internal or external speakers is established. To foster an intense interaction with these scientists, the seminar presentation is complemented with meetings of the speaker with PIs of the CRC1479 and a coffee break with our junior group leaders, postdocs and PhD students.
Our CRC1479 OncoEscape will extend and complement the already existing measures to support young scientists.
MOTIVATE Scholarship:
MD students integrated into OncoEscape can apply for a “MOTIVATE” scholarship to be funded for one year by the Faculty of Medicine. This scholarship allows MD students to take designated time for research during Medical School and gain their first experiences in basic research.
Berta Ottenstein Programme:
At the postdoctoral level Clinician Scientists can apply for the Berta Ottenstein Programme. The Berta Ottenstein fellows benefit from a personal mentoring program, soft skill courses and regular lecture series.
EQUIP Medical Scientist Programme:
Excellent Medical Scientists, who are not pursuing clinical training can apply for this programme. The programme is intended to support Medical Scientists in pursuing their scientific career goals in Freiburg’s University Medicine and to pave their way into scientific independence. It offers a wide range of courses, an annual retreat, a mentoring programme and funding for research supplies or personnel costs.
EQUIP Medical Scientist Programme
EXCEL Programme:
This programme provides support for clinician scientists working on the topic of immunological causes and therapies of cancer.
IMM-PACT Programme:
This programme is focused on the topic “Targeting common principles of immune mediated disease: from basic science to novel therapies” and can be applied for by advanced clinician scientists.
