Besides on-the-job technical training, IMDEA Materials Institute is committed to train the Institute’s staff in “soft” or transversal skills. Those competences are relevant to a broad range of occupations and sectors (academic research or teaching career, specialization in a given field or a career at industry or other type of organization) and are the building blocks for the development of the “hard” skills required to succeed on the labor market.
Below you can consult the history of courses that have already taken place and the ones that are currently under preparation. These courses are mainly targeted to Research Assistants, Research Associates and Principal Investigators. In all cases, their goal is to improve both the scientific performance and the career prospects of our staff.
Upcoming (2025)
Introduction to code/software protection and exploitation
Delivered by: Natalio Rodríguez, Coral Navarro, Leonardo Casado
- Software protection. Software patents: when they apply and what they protect
- Open source licenses, data use in AI, and data protection. Use of data for AI training: what is legally allowed and what is not. Open source licenses: types, restrictions, etc.
- Licensing Agreements, SLA, and Technology Transfer. Licensing agreements: types, key clauses, and best practices
From idea to proposal. The fundamentals of Horizon Europe grant writing
Delivered by: Maite Ferrando and Mireia Ferri
- Overview of Horizon Europe and its significance for pre- and postdoctoral researchers
- Proposal idea and main errors to avoid. How to identify a key need and challenge. Problem definition and innovative approach. State of the art and scientific/technological gap
- From the idea to the proposal. How to write Excellence, Impact and Implementation sections.
Open science: open access, research data management and citizen science
Delivered by: The instructor of the course is TBC
- Principles of open science, emphasising open access to research findings and effective management of research data
- Insights into fostering transparency, collaboration, and societal impact within the scientific community
- Explore the intersection of science, accessibility, and community engagement
Gender dimension: equality in science and research
Delivered by: The instructor of the course is TBC
- Learn how promoting gender balance contributes to excellence and inclusivity in scientific endeavors
- Understand the importance of fostering gender balance and creating inclusive working environments where all talents can thrive
- Discover how incorporating the gender dimension enhances research quality and relevance to society
Productivity: effective meetings, goal setting, time management
Delivered by: The instructor of the course is TBC
- Effective Meetings: Learn to plan and lead meetings that drive results
- Goal Setting: Master techniques to set clear and achievable objectives
- Time Management: Develop strategies to prioritise tasks and maximise productivity
Career development: networking, career plan, job hunting and selection process
Delivered by: The instructor of the course is TBC
- Effective Networking: Build connections and expand your professional network to uncover new opportunities
- Career Planning: Develop a personalised career plan aligned with your goals and aspirations.
- Job Hunting and Selection Skills: Master strategies for job searches, crafting resumes, and succeeding in interviews.
Developing project management skills for researchers
Delivered by: The instructor of the course is TBC
- An introduction to project management: what is a project and why do I need project management skills?
- An overview of project management areas, with a special focus on the application to a Ph.D. thesis.
- Useful resources
2024 Courses
ERC Starting Grant proposal writing course for researchers
Delivered by: Peter Sheard (founder and CEO of Trend 2000 Ltd)
- Key aspects of ERC StG applications
- Proposal evaluation and what evaluators look for and tailoring your CV for ERC. Presenting your concept, establishing the narrative, explaining novelty etc.
- Identifying and accounting for risk: development of the work plan, writing an appropriate impact section, estimating and justifying the project budget, essential aspects of writing clearly and presenting the proposal effectively etc.
Fundamentals of intellectual and industrial property
Delivered by: Clarke Modet
- Improving knowledge of how to approach the management of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) and the various protective measures for R&D projects in different sectors
- Raising awareness among research personnel about the importance of PII rights in the development of their investigative activities
- Having a basic understanding of Patent Strategic Management: concept, protection strategies, and exploitation. International extension
Microsoft Office 365
22nd May 2024, 12 hours
Delivered by: The instructor for the course is 2FFormación
- TEAMS - Video conferencing tool and Microsoft 365 hub
- ONE DRIVE - Hard drive in the cloud
- SHARE POINT - Fundamentals, uses and collaborative work
- Other Tools - TO DO and PLANNER
Funding opportunities for research and development: grants overview at national and European levels
Delivered by: María Teresa Ferrando García (Kveloce)
- Introduction to funding opportunities for postdoctoral researchers
- Funding opportunities at national and European level
- Tools and Platforms
Training on FreeCAD software
Delivered by: TBC
- This training session provides essential skills utilizing FreeCAD for your projects
- Introduction to FreeCAD Interface: Learn to navigate the user-friendly interface, including workbenches, tools, and customization options for an efficient workflow
- Master basic 2D and 3D modeling techniques and apply FreeCAD skills to real-world projects
Managing conflict constructively across cultures
Delivered by: Alicia Marín Muniesa (Coach - The sky is the limit)
- Increase self-awareness of your communication style and cultural preferences
- Identify appropriate practices for managing cross-cultural communication challenges at the workplace
- Practice the win-win negotiation model to manage conflict across cultures
Antifraud Measures Plan
Delivered by: IMDEA Materials
- Risks in the management of funds
- The Anti-Fraud Action Plan in the management of Next-Generation Funds
- Specific risk analysis of projects funded with European Funds
- Basic and applied Regulations
2023 Courses
Time & stress management
Delivered by: Ulrich Schubert (Psychologist, certified business coach and leadership trainer)
- Theoretical framework
- Stress management skills and techniques
- Time management
Creating your own career plan and job search strategy
Delivered by: Manuél Escobar (Carreras Científicas Alternativas)
- Career planning
- CV and Linkedin profile
- Preparing for a selection process (interview and negotiation)
Oral presentations: beyond slides
Delivered by: Lisa Saemisch and Gavin Lucas (The PaperMill)
- Relating to my audience and telling a story and defining my message, content and structure
- Key concepts in visual communication
- Focus on creating slide presentations, presenting your work, concepts and practice
Scientific entrepreneurship
Delivered by: Miguel Ángel L. Trujillo (BA International Partners)
- Entrepreneurship fundamentals for researchers
- Design of a business model
- Design of a market research interview
2022 Courses
Introduction to software patents
Delivered by: Nicolás Escudero (CEO of Tribalyte Ideas and European Patent Attorney)
- Patents: main concepts, ideas and importance
- How to detect research results worthing protection
- Strategies for software management, protection and exploitation
Interview skills for supervisors
Delivered by: Cristina Mateo (Liberty up)
- The importance of the interview
- Screening CVs and preparing for the interview
- During the interview. Evidence-based evaluations and decision-making. Unconscious biases
Professional development
Delivered by: Manolo Castellano (Carreras Científicas Alternativas)
- Solving conflicts. Team development and how to effectively resolve differences in the workplace
- The importance of transferable skills inside/outside academia. Practical tools to identify skills for your CV and professional social networks
- Strategies to explore new profesional pathways/scientific careers: job hunting and hiring process. Networking efficiently inside/outside academia, CV, prodessional resumes and selection processes
Public speaking
Delivered by: Lance Schuyler Hedstrom Miller & Harriet Thompson
- How to improve fluency and gain confidence speaking in public. Learn to prepare engaging presentations
- Mock presentations and monologues
-Learn to improvise, develop memorization strategies and understand body language
Funding opportunities for research and development
Delivered by: David Alcántara (SACSIS)
- European funding opportunities in Horizon Europe
- Other European and Spanish funding opportunities
Scientific writing for researchers - All this for what?
Delivered by: Ignacio Crespo
- Evolution of the papers
- The headline and abstract. The introduction. Discussion and conclusions
Efficient writing. Autonomous learning. The most frequent errors
2021 Courses
From research to enterprise: an introduction to startup creation and management
Delivered by: Marco Laucelli (Founder & CEO at Galeo) (funded by "María de Maeztu" grant CEX2018-000800-M)
- The start-up as an experiment. The problem: identifying and validating the problem
- The pivot: discovering the right opportunity. The solution: unique value proposition
- Modelling the revenue streams: revenue models and validation. Being unique: the unfair advantage, IP, competitive advantage, barriers etc.
Leadership and management skills (Principal Investigators)
Delivered by HFP consulting (funded by "María de Maeztu" grant CEX2018-000800-M)
- Fundamental principles for professional interactions. Key skills for effective communication
- Enhancing your efficiency. Establishing and maintaining productive collaborations
- Solving conflicts. Team development and how to effectively resolve differences in the workplace.
Public speaking: Effective delivery and presentation
Delivered by: Lance Schuyler Hedstrom Miller and Harriet Thompson
- Speaking clearly and vocal variety
- Intoduction - why confidence matters
- Memorisation techniques. Improvising and dealing with nerves
Science communication for researchers. Getting started
Delivered by: Luis Quevedo (filmmaker, podcaster, producer and TV personality) (funded by "María de Maeztu" grant CEX2018-000800-M)
- Pre-work. What the media wants and how to be a proactive communicator
- “MoJo” Mobile journalism basics and other tools. Non-traditional communication, non verbal language, visuals and more
- On-camera, mock interviews and feedback. Take home package: a brief survival book on how to deal with the media
Economics and finances for scientist and engineers
Delivered by: Iván Rivero (Opportunity Revenue Consulting Services) (funded by "María de Maeztu" grant CEX2018-000800-M)
- Markets and numbers
- Business models and pricing strategy
- Fundamental concepts of financial planning
Creativity kit to generate better ideas and overcome any challenge
Delivered by: Ana Clara Alvarez Cufari (Anitaideas)
- Creativity: where are you? Self-check of creative moments. "What if..." Meet your new best friend
- Everything a paperclip has to teach you. Put a SCAMPER in your life… and a few more techniques to use when you need them
- That everyday object has the answer your project needs. Silence is your ally. Relaxation techniques to do even at the office
2020 Courses
Professional management of R&I projects
Delivered by: Ebva García (RTDI)
- Introduction (opening and presentation, introduction to Horizon Europe framework programme for research and innovation)
- Professional management of projects. PMI standards (the great game of the goose, qualities of a good project manager, adapting PMI standards to R&I projects)
- Management of Horizon Europe projects (project phases and lifecycle, coordination structures and jargon)
Communicating in the workplace
Delivered by: Roberto Espinosa (sales, innovation and technology)
- Agile organizations, transformational and shared leadership
- Best known methods about email communication, giving and receiving feedback
- Effective meetings, goal setting. Negotiation: getting to yes
Well-being 360º
Delivered by: Wellbeing 360 (funded by "María de Maeztu" grant CEX2018-000800-M)
- Mental calmness and vital body
- Emotion management and time management
- Fluid relationships
2019 Courses
R&D results protection and valorisation. Licensing as a technology transfer mechanism
Delivered by André Santos y Patricia Guillén (ABG intellectual property)
- Analysing and managing critical success criteria. Introduction to persuasive writing: concepts, techniques and tools - Enhancing proposal “readability” - importance, techniques and tools
Career management and recruitment processes. Academia vs industry
Delivered by: Manolo Castellano (Carreras Científicas Alternativas)
- Results protection and valorisation
- Licensing
Writing techniques for R&I project proposals for researchers
Delivered by: Eva García (RTDI)
- Analysing and managing critical success criteria. Introduction to persuasive writing: concepts, techniques and tools
- Enhancing proposal “readability” - importance, techniques and tools
Economics and finances for scientists. Business plan design basics
Delivered by: Eva García (RTDI)
- Introduction. Theatre of business models. Conclusion analysis and consolidation of concepts
- Business modelling: Team work over a real case. How to innovate business models and chaired discussion around real cases
- Uptake of new technologies: Loop, dynamics and decision-making. Economic and finances: Basic concepts and quantitative techniques; Study cases
2018 Courses
Practical advice for writing and defending an excellent PhD Thesis
Delivered by: Miguel Herráez, Joseba Múgica and Carlos González (IMDEA Materials Institute)
- Before writing / Writing / Formatting the document / Defending the Thesis
- More recommendations
Professional management of R&I projects under H2020 collaborative schemes
Delivered by: Eva García (RTDI)
- Introduction
- Professional management of projects. PMI standards and management of H2020 projects
Science communication and media management in a mobile world
Delivered by: Luis Quevedo (filmmaker, podcaster, producer)
- Pre-work. What the media wants and how to be a proactive communicator
- “MoJo” Mobile journalism basics and other tools. Non-traditional communication, non verbal language, visuals and more
- On-camera, mock interviews and feedback. Take home package: a brief survival book on how to deal with the media
Guide for a research career inside and outside academia
Delivered by: Lorenzo Melchor (FECYT) and Manolo Castellano (Carreras Científicas Alternativas)
- The Research Career Development in the 21st Century – being a researcher in the European Union
- Non-academic careers for researchers – thinking outside the box
The ins and outs of science communication for principal investigators
Delivered by: Victoria Toro (journalist)
- What the media wants and how deal with the media
- Q&A session
From research to enterprise: an introduction to startup creation and management
Delivered by: Marco Laucelli (Entrepreneur)
- The startup as an experiment. Identifying and validating the problem.
- The Pivot: discovering the right opportunity and the solution: unique value propositionvisuals and more
- Modelling the revenue streams: revenue models and validation. Being unique: the unfair advantage, IP, competitive advantage, barriers. Reaching customers: channels and metrics. Basic Financials for startups
Idea generation and informed creativity for R&I projects
Delivered by: Eva García (RTDI)
- Spontaneous creativity: map of techniques, introduction to the integral building of R&I project ideas and informed creativity: map of techniques.
- Study case: integral idea building, yechnology watch for R&I project building. Case study: gap analysis
2017 Courses
Economic-business basic concepts as applied to researcher
Delivered by: Mar García (Financial Manager at IMDEA Materials)
- What does economics means in general terms and what is economic and financial information used for?
- Main economic and accounting concepts, R&D&i project budgets and case study
Intellectual and industrial property concepts. Protection and transfer of research results
Delivered by: Diego Gutierrez (FOURLAW abogados)
- Patents, copyrights, designs and know-how
- Ownership, management and exploitation of results
2016 Courses
Introduction to project management. Project management my PhD
Delivered by: Germán Infante (Project Manager at IMDEA Materials)
- An introduction to project management: what is a project and why do I need project management skills?
- An overview of project management areas, with a special focus on the application to a Ph.D. thesis.
- Useful resources
Preparation and evaluation of R&D&i project proposals
Delivered by: Miguel Ángel Rodiel (Technology Manager at IMDEA Materials) & Claudio Lopes (Senior Researcher at IMDEA Materials)
- Preparation of R&D&i proposals
- Evaluation of R&D&i proposals
R&D&i funding systems and opportunities for researchers
Delivered by: Fernando Gómez (Project Manager at IMDEA Materials)
- Get an innovative idea to be funded and learn about uupport programs along the R&D chain
- The European R&D&i framework program H2020 and project proposal structure
Case study: from idea to a successful project
Effective communication in the workplace to create a positive environment
Delivered by: Roberto Espinosa (Economist with a strong interest in sales, leadership, entrepreneurship and innovation)
- Best known methods about email communications, leadership and teamwork
- Giving and receiving feedback, effective meetings. Goal setting and negotiation
2015 Courses
Introduction to writing scientific papers. How to prepare and deliver effective presentations
Delivered by: Teresa Pérez-Prado (Senior Researcher at IMDEA Materials) & Miguel Ángel Rodiel (Technology Manager at IMDEA Materials)
- Library search & papers writing
- Effective presentations
