Physics of Life ECR Bootcamp 2026: Communicate,
Collaborate, Discover​

​8-10 September, 2026
​Durham University, Waterside Building

Event Overview

Join us for a dynamic 3-day bootcamp designed specifically for early career researchers working across the physical and life sciences. Bringing together PhD students, postdocs and interdisciplinary researchers from across the UK Physics of Life community, this event combines professional development, scientific inspiration
and community building in an interactive and supportive environment.

The first two days will focus on developing the skills needed to thrive as an interdisciplinary researcher, including:

• Scientific presentation and communication training led by expert speakers,
• Networking and collaboration opportunities,
• Mentorship and career development discussions,
• Focused research lectures highlighting exciting frontiers in Physics of Life.

The final day will spotlight one of the fastest-growing areas in modern Physics of Life research: biomolecular condensates. Through lectures from leading experimentalists, theorists and computational researchers, participants will explore how condensates research is transforming our understanding of cell biology,
disease, infection and emerging biomedical applications. The programme will conclude with an open discussion panel examining the future challenges and opportunities of condensates research from the perspective of early career
researchers.
​
Whether your research involves imaging, modelling, AI, molecular biology, active matter, soft matter, infection, cell biology or biophysics, this bootcamp offers a unique opportunity to build skills, expand your network and engage with one of the UK’s most vibrant interdisciplinary research communities. Come along to connect, learn and help shape the future of Physics of Life research.

​Who should attend?

The school is aimed at early career scientists  – particularly PhD students and post doctorates. Participants are expected to hold a basic knowledge of Biology and/or Physics. 

European and International attendees are welcome to attend this winter school. The closest airport to Durham is Newcastle International (approximately 40 minutes from Durham by train or taxi). 

Non ECRs interested in attending any part of the event can contact [email protected]. 

Provisional Programme

This event will run from 8-10 September 2026 (starting Tuesday morning at 10.15 am and finishing on Thursday early eve by approx. 4pm). Social events (including a conference dinner at Durham Castle) and plenty of networking breaks will allow participants and course deliverers to network, meet and interact in an informal setting. 

Day 1	Tuesday 8 September, Durham University, Waterside Building
From 9.45	Registration with Tea and Coffee
10.15-10.30	Mark Leake, Karis Baker, Janet Kumita  Opening Address and Welcome: ​Introduction to the event with schedule overview
10.30-11.30	Interactive Ice Breakers with Duncan Yellowlees and Matt Williamson
11.30-12.30	Presentation Skills Bootcamp, parallel sessions designed for different career stages
12.30-13.30	Lunch
13.30-15.00	Presentation Skills Bootcamp, parallel sessions designed for different career stages
15.00-15.30	Refreshment Break
15.30 - 16.15 ​	Guest Lecture ​​
16.30​	ECR poster showcase with drinks reception​
19.00	Conference Dinner, combined with MSc Physics of Life Sandpit attendees at Durham Castle ​
Day 2	Wednesday 9 September
9.00-9.45	Guest Lecture: Katelyn Spillane (Imperial College London)
9.45-11.00	6 x ECR Flash Talks @ 10 mins each
11.00-11.30	Refreshment Break
11.30-12.30	5 x ECR Flash Talks @10 mins each
12.30-13.30	Lunch
13.30 -14.30	5 x ECR Flash Talks @10 mins each
14:30-15.00	Refreshment Break
15:00-15:30	2 x ECR Flash Talks ​@10 mins each
15:30-15.45	Tatyana Shelkovnikova, University of Sheffield ​'Introduction to the Biomolecular Condensate network'
​15:45-16:45	Halim Kusumaatmaja, University of Edinburgh 'Fundamentals of Condensate Research: Physical and Biological Principles'
Day 3	Thursday 10 September
9.00-10.00	Min Kyung Shinn (KCL) and Naoto Hori (University of Nottingham) ​'Sequence Analysis and Modelling, computational analaysis'
10.00	Alexander Borodavka (University of Oxford) and Nicolas Locker (University of Surrey) ​'RNA-binding proteins in disease: from viral infections to neurodegeneration'
11.00	Refreshment Break
11.30	Tim Nott (KCL) 'Quantifying Properties of Biomolecular Condensates'
12.30	Lunch
13.30	​Interactive & Participatory Discussion with Dimitris Lagos (Hull York Medical School) ​'Translating Biomolecular Condensate Research from Model Systems to Clinical Samples​'
14.30	Janet Kumita (University of Cambridge) 'Synthetic Condensates: Engineering DNA, RNA, and Protein Assemblies'​
15.15	Mark Leake (University of York) ​ECR-Led Brainstorming Session: Future Directions for the Network and Integration with PoL
16.00	Event close

ECR bootcamp Venue and Accommodation

The ECR Bootcamp will take place at the Waterside Building, Durham University, located in the heart of Durham City Centre along the banks of the River Wear and just a short walk from Durham Railway Station.

​Address:
Waterside Building
Riverside Place
Durham, DH1 1SL
United Kingdom

Accommodation can be booked as part of the registration package and will be provided at John Snow College, Durham University.

• Standard single en-suite rooms
• Full English breakfast included
• Check-in: 2:00 PM
• Check-out: 10:00 AM

John Snow College is located at Mount Oswald, approximately 35 minutes' walk from the Waterside Building, 30 minutes from Durham City Centre, or around 10 minutes by taxi. ​Durham City Park & Ride is adjacent to college, there are frequent shuttle buses running between the college and City Centre.

Travelling to Durham

Durham University, Waterside Building

Durham University, John Snow College

By Train
A number of train operators offer direct and regular routes to Durham Railway Station, including London and Edinburgh. Durham is around 3 hours from London, just over 3 hours from Birmingham, 2½ hours from Manchester, 1½ hours from Edinburgh and 45 minutes from York.

By road
Durham city centre is only two miles from the A1(M). Leave the motorway at Junction 62 on the A690 Durham - Sunderland road and follow signs to Durham City Centre.

By air
Durham is 30 minutes' drive from Newcastle International Airport and about 40 minutes from Teesside International Airport. Both have regular domestic and international flights. Durham is linked to Newcastle Airport by rail and metro.

Registration 

The ECR bootcamp event is generously supported by the Physics of Life Network via EPSRC funding, with additional sponsorship from Durham University's BSI and the UK Condensates Network.

​This support allows us to heavily subsidise each attendee’s place, keeping the registration fee low while providing a rich programme tailored to early career researchers. 

Registration Packages
Package 1 – £165

• 2 nights’ accommodation at John Snow College
  (Check-in: Tuesday 8 September | Check-out: Thursday 10 September)
• Full English breakfasts
• Daily lunches and all refreshments
• All social activities
• 3-course Summer School dinner at Durham Castle

Package 2 – £247.50

• Includes everything in Package 1
• Plus one additional night (Monday 7 September) with breakfast
  (Recommended for participants travelling from further afield; available to all)

Package 3 - £35

• ​No accommodation
• Daily lunches and all refreshments
• All social activities
• 3-course Summer School dinner at Durham Castle

Important Information

• Capacity is strictly limited to 65 attendees
• Places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis
• Registration will close once all places are filled or on 10 August (whichever comes first)
• A waitlist will be implemented if demand exceeds availability

Arrival and Attendance
All attendees are expected to arrive for registration on Tuesday 8 September and remain until the final session. 
​
Abstracts
Attendees are encouraged to contribute to the networking activities by presenting either a 10 minute flash talk or a poster. To prepare for registration, please have a short abstract (maximum 200 words) ready for submission.

Registration opening
Registration for this event will be opening shortly. We will notify the community via our mailing alerts and Linkedin page (uk-physics-of-life-network) as soon as this is available. Alternatively. feel free to complete the form below to hear first about the opening of registration. ​

Alternative Nearby Accommodation

Please note, if you do not to book accommodation as part of your registration package, it is strongly recommended you check hotel rates in advance as these can be very expensive at this time of year. 

• Hotel Indigo Durham (Boutique, highly rated, approx. 10 minute walk to Waterside)
• Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County (Classic, 10 minute walk to Waterside)
• Premier Inn (Walkergate) (Opposite Waterside Building) 
• Radisson BLU Hotel (Modern with river views, opposite waterside building)
• The Kingslodge Inn (10 minute walk from Waterside, near the train station)