MGK Kolloquium in Olpe 2026

"When the cats is away the mice will play" is the Motto of the annual MGK kolloquium of the CRC1316. Once a year our ECRs meet at the self-irganized meeting to discuss the successes and hardships of PhD life, without supervision of their PIs. This year, the meeting took place from 25.-27.2. in Olpe.

The kolloquium began on Wednesday with a classic poster presentation containing recent results of each project. A chance to update each other on the recent progress and practice presentation skills.

On Thursday two workshops were held. The first was on the topic of ElabFTW and data management by Sarah-Johanna Klose and Steffen Schüttler. It included group exercises and exchange on labbook etiquette.

The second workshop on "How to post-doc" was held by Johanna Templ and Maximilian Wohlgemuth from the anorganic Chemistry Chair I of RUB. They gave their insight on the application process for a post doc position and the Dos and Don'ts of the process.

In the afternoon the ECRs had organized a social event, an outdoor escape room through Olpe. The scavenger hunt-like activity sent the group walking along the Biggesee in best weather to find the fictional Basti who had not been seen at his fictional job in a fictional while. Luckily, in the end he had only gone on a fictional vacation. Good for him!

The day ended with a barbecue.

On friday, another workshop was held by Jonas Hiepel on the use of AI tools for scientific research including lively exchange amongst the ECRs who had varying levels of experience on the topic.

Afterwards, another poster session commenced but this time on current challenges in the lab and beyond. Many discussions were had and problems were solved ( or at least got one step closer to solving).

Overall, the MGK Kolloquium provided the ECRs with an opportunity to discuss their respective PhD projects and opportunities for networking and socialising.