Post-doctoral training programme

The Faculty of Medicine

Aalborg University

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In 2012, the Faculty of Medicine at Aalborg University (AAU) launched a formalised post-doc-

toral training programme. The post-doctoral training programme is aimed at high calibre

young post-docs undertaking clearly defined and challenging research supported and

mentored by senior science experts. In Denmark, there has been a lack of focus on the

post-doctoral period although it is clearly the second step in qualifying for an academic

career.

Grand objectives within the post-doc programme:

• attain an expert level within clinical/biomedical/life science research

• develop and promote didactic skills within the field of medicine and related fields

• promote research management skills

• understand strategies and procedures in research funding / grant applications

• gain insight in innovation and business development

Post-docs in the programme are expected to:

• participate in full-time research to gain an expert level

• participate in courses, seminars, and journal clubs

• write grant proposals

• encourage involvement in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching

The competitive training program will focus on career development (e.g. personal

development plan), research and project management, networking, writing grant applica-

tions, and pedagogical skills through mentoring and dedicated course activities. Evaluations

based on post-doc presentations and review of research plans will be implemented.

Post-doctoraltraining programme

The Faculty of Medicine

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COURSES

Post-doctoral courses will be provided on an annual or biannual basis allowing the course

programme to be completed within 2 years.

Courses will be provided on teaching and student supervision (5 ECTS), funding (2 ECTS),

and intellectual property (1 ECTS).

PRACTICAL ISSUES

• The programme is administrated by the Faculty of Medicine (The Doctoral School)

• The post-doc time is defined as a 2 year research training period.

• One mentor is appointed.

• Prerequisites for enrolment in the post-doc programme:

Completed a PhD degree and secured a 2 year research period at a hospital or university.

Enrolment is based on application from the website www.phd.medicine.aau.dk/Post+-

doc+training

• The Faculty of Medicine issues a diploma after the qualifying period has been completed

and course work passed

• The programme is planned to be initiated each year.

Head of post-doctoral programme:

Professor Thomas Graven-Nielsen, The Faculty of Medicine, Aalborg University.

Duration: 8 ECTS credits.

Certificate: A diploma will be issued.

Fee: DKK 40,000 for extramural participants.

For participants employed at Aalborg University, the fee

is prepaid by Aalborg University. Registration on

www.phd.medicine.aau.dk/Post+doc+training

Further information: doctoral.school@adm.aau.dk

INFORMATION

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COURSES

This course will offer the participants

knowledge of and skills in planning,

conducting and evaluating teaching and

supervision within the study programs in

Faculty of Medicine, incl. internship and

clinical placement within the healthcare

system and other internships.

The participants will gain knowledge and

understanding of students’ learning

processes by using different teaching

methods.The intentions are to make the

post-doc able, in the most appropriate way,

to communicate relevant professional,

clinical and other educational and profes-

sional knowledge and skills to students and

to supervise, support and stimulate the

students in their activities and learning

processes.

Post-docs are introduced to common

concepts and knowledge in the areas of

learning and teaching, making them able to

choose between and handle different kinds

of teaching and supervision assignments at

the university (including clinical placement

and internship at the hospital).

 

Post-docs get the opportunity to practice

and link the common concepts and know

ledge during teaching and supervision situa-

tions and exercises.

 

Format

The course consists of 3 modules. The

participants’ professional knowledge is

supplemented by theoretical concepts by

training in simulated and real teaching and

supervision situations and with feedback

from teacher and colleagues at the course

(peer feedback).

Pedagogical qualification course for post-docsin clinical, biomedical, and life science

Organizers: Associate Professor Lone Krogh and Professor Annette Lorentsen,Department of Learning and Philosophy, AAU

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COURSES

Learning and teaching

Development and planning teaching within

the settings of the professional and

profession aimed teaching practice.

(1 ECTS credit)

In this module, participants attain know

ledge of students’ learning processes and

teaching through presentation activties and

reading selected material. The participants

are instructed in the didactic thoughts

behind the planning of teaching and they are

tasked with designing a course, from

development to evaluation. The participants

describe and present the thoughts behind

the course to the other course participants

and will receive feedback from them and

from teachers.

Teaching, methods and assessment

Conducting ‘good’ teaching.

(2 ECTS credits)

In this module, participants will acquire

further knowledge of ‘good’ teaching, its

principles and methods as well as know

ledge of evaluation of teaching and assess-

ment of students. The module will be

organized with a combination of presenta-

tions, acquiring knowledge by reading and

reflection, writing papers, feedback – and

not least testing feedback in practice.

Possibly supplemented with observation,

reflection and documentation of other

peoples’ teaching.

Supervision and feedback

The most appropriate supervision by

application of problem based learning in

case work, in the clinic, in the laboratory and

in projects.

(2 ECTS credits)

In this module, participants will acquire

knowledge and understanding of the most

appropriate supervision in different learning

situations (in case work, project work,

internship etc.). The module will also be

organized with a combination of presenta-

tions, acquiring knowledge by reading and

reflection, writing papers, feedback – and

not least testing feedback in practice.

Possibly supplemented with observation,

reflection and documentation of other

peoples’ supervision.

Evaluation

To pass the course, participants must

prepare a paper based on their attainment

of theory, reflection, testing in practice and

feedback (3-5 pages).

Module 3

Module 1

Module 2

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COURSES

A general introduction to the Danish Council

for Independent research, is given by the

Danish Agency for Science, Technology and

Innovation. The overall landscape of funding

sources supporting biomedical and clinical

research will also be introduced.

The AAU evaluators will reveal what the

experienced reviewer looks for in an

application; they will offer a guide to the do’s

and don’ts of writing proposals. Further-

more, we will also look at alternative

funding sources and administrative issues

and offer advice about strategic career

development. At this meeting, you will be

asked to present your idea.

Participants will prepare a draft for an actual

application for the AAU evaluators to

comment upon.

The course will offer participants a unique

opportunity to learn the trade of writing

research proposals for the Danish Research

Councils and other funding sources. The

course will focus on funding for biomedical

and clinical research.

Former members of the Danish Council for

Independent Research from AAU will

provide an inside view of the procedures

within the council and reveal what the

reviewers look for in an application. The

participants will be given the chance to get

their own proposals or ideas evaluated by

the AAU evaluators in order for them to opti-

mize their proposals and hopefully improve

their chances for a successful evaluation in

the council. Participants are expected to

submit an application to a funding source

(e.g. to the Danish Research Council) at the

end of the course. There will also be focus

on how and where to find alternative

funding sources, planning of your personal

funding strategies, and how to the deal with

all the administrative issues related to the

application.

Funding for clinical, biomedical and life scienceOrganizer: Senior Consultant Lisbeth Munksgaard,

Fundraising and Project Management, AAU.

Day 3

Day 2

Day 1

Format

The course will take place in September

to November and is targeted towards

researchers planning to submit an

application for the deadlines in the fall.

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COURSES

introduction to the business model canvas

and the identification of key value proposi-

tions in venturing. Business models within

life/biomedical science and considerations

on models addressing the public health

industry will be introduced. Finally, insight

into how capital providers such as seed

capital and venture capital evaluate

commercialization potential, business plans

and business models of life/ biomedical

science companies will be given.

Evaluation

The course is concluded by participants

preparing a report on commercial value of

their own research and a viable business

model for a possible venture.

This two-day course will provide insights

and tools in business development within

biomedical and life science.

There will be focus on identifying and

qualifying the commercial value of your

research. Various types of intellectual

property (IP) and the strategic use of same

will be introduced. How to handle IP in the

business development process and how to

protect and commercialize technology or

products within biomedical and life science

will be covered. Case stories from Aalborg

University and Danish industry on different

approaches when going from science to

business will be presented.

The part will provide specific knowledge on

how to address commercialization through

a business model approach. There will be an

The evaluators will assist you in improving

the draft.

The final session is a face-to-face meeting

with the AAU evaluators where we will deal

with the final adjustments of the proposals

in order for applicants to submit for the

Intellectual Property Rights and Spin Outsin biomedical and life science

Organizer: Head of Section, Morten Dahlgaard, AAU Innovation

autumn deadlines.

Evaluation

Participants are expected be active in all

phases of the course and to submit an

application to a relevant funding source.

Day 4

Day 1

Day 2

COURSES

The Faculty of Medicine

Niels Jernes Vej 10

DK - 9220 Aalborg Øst

Phone +45 9940 9940

Fax +45 9815 9757

sund@adm.aau.dk

www.medicine.aau.dk