Network-wide Training

• 1^st Network symposium (CNRS)

The 1^st Week School took place in Marseille, France from 9-14 December 2019 and brought together the MUSIQ partners and the ESRs for the first time to discuss developing the next-generation optical microscopy exploiting quantum coherent nonlinear phenomena. The program consisted of different networking and training elements starting off with a two day symposium where all PIs presented their research and activities within the MUSIQ project. The ESRs also each had the opportunity to present themselves and their individual ESR projects and had organised posters related to their research which helped all participants to receive a detailed overview of how each person will be contributing to the project.

The second element of the 1^st MUSIQ week was dedicated to the training of the ESRs. Over the next four days the ESRs received the first sessions of the multi-disciplinary training programme that specifically addresses the scientific, technical and career development challenges associated with MUSIQ’s vision of developing the next-generation optical microscopy exploiting quantum coherent nonlinear phenomena. These topics included the 1st School on Molecular nonlinear optics held by CNRS and two transferable skills trainings on time project management for scientists and on gender equality held by Hertz.

1^st School “Molecular nonlinear optics” (CNRS)

The MUSIQ schools are specifically designed for MUSIQ, with the aim to train the ESRs in fundamental concepts and practical knowledge important to this research programme. The 1^st MUSIQ scientific school was embedded within the first MUSIQ week organised and hosted by CNRS in France. The school was based on “Molecular nonlinear optics” and a total of eight lectures were given around this topic:

• Basic Introduction to ultrafast optics I – Giulio Cerullo (POLIMI)
• Basic Introduction to vibrational spectroscopy – Andreas Zumbusch (UKON)
• Nanophotonics – Niek van Hulst (ICFO)
• Basic Introduction to ultrafast optics II – Giulio Cerullo (POLIMI)
• Coherent Raman microscopy (applications) – Paola Borri (CU)
• Coherent Raman processes I – Hervé Rigneault (CNRS)
• Coherent Raman processes II – Hervé Rigneault (CNRS)
• Molecular nonlinear imaging and microscopy – Sopphie Brasselet (CNRS)

Time Project management for scientists (Hertz)

The time management module delivered by the MUSIQ Partner “Hertz, Training and Coaching for Scientists” aimed to demonstrate the difference between time management for one week and long-term time management, as applied to a scientific doctoral project. As part of the one day module, the ESRs learned to analyse the time they spend in a day and in a week in various ways, and gain insight into their strengths and where improvements can be made. The module shows how a considerable part of the research project can be planned in advance with each ESRs developing a plan for their own project using the specially developed software ‘project management for PhDs’. The module aimed to help the ESRs learn how to: Set specific goals, determine their optimal working rhythm, make a weekly planning schedule, apply the rules of project management, and make a planning schedule for research.

Gender equality (Hertz)

The first of two half-day training session dedicated to gender equality was organised as part of the 1^st MUSIQ Week. The training was delivered in the form of discussions aimed at raising the awareness of conscious and unconscious biasing and debates on subjects such as “the dark side of positive discrimination strategies”, “equal gender participation in an unequal world: is this realistic?”, “the truths and the myths of raising a family while competing in research” and was led by experienced staff from our MUSIQ partner “Hertz, Training and Coaching for Scientists”.