Physics of Life ECR Grant Writing and Career Development Bootcamp​

28-29 June 2022
Room G001, Human Biology Building, NUI Galway
This is a satellite to the BBS biennial meeting 2022.
​
Organising committee: 
Mark Leake (University of York)
Nirvana Caballero (University of Geneva)
Peter Crowley (NUI Galway)
Michelle Peckham (University of Leeds)
Mark Wallace (KCL)

Workshop overview

This workshop will focus on developing skills for ECRs in the area of the Physics of Life to write grants and develop their careers further. In December 2021 the Biological Physics Group of the IoP hosted an ECR conference that captured a focused discussion panel at the end of the event. The overwhelming feedback from the participants was for the need for a bootcamp that would offer both grant writing and career development skills that are focused on the specifics of the Physics of Life remit. Although several UK institutions offer a range of grant/fellowship courses there is not currently a single UK workshop that specifically focuses on this area within the Physics of Life.

Our aim is to combine brief lectures with active writing sessions in small groups led by academics with expertise in grant writing and reviewing of ECR level grant and “career development” applications. With appropriate permission, we aim also to draw from several past recent successful ECR grant applications for several different funding schemes. This meeting will run as a satellite to the BBS biennial meeting in Galway, 29 June -1 July. 

Who should attend?

We invite participation from Early Career Researchers (masters to early established researchers) who are interested in receiving training and advice in developing grant ideas and applications which focus on the physical/life science interface. This meeting will be limited in capacity (~35 participants). We aim to encourage inclusivity; through gender balance, scientific background and geographical distribution. 

Provisional programme

Please note the programme below is provisional and subject to change, however the timings should be fairly accurate. 

​Confirmed core instructors: 
Each core instructor will  deliver a short talk on aspects of ECR grant writing and career development good practice:
Mark Leake (University of York)
Nirvana Caballero (University of Geneva)
Peter Crowley (NUI Galway)
Mark Wallace (KCL)
Sarah Guerin ​(University of Limerick)

Day One	Tuesday 28 June
12.00	Registration and Lunch
Session	One
​14.00	Overview, welcome and introductions with Mark Leake (University of York)
14.15	Ideas pitching/icebreaking with Nirvana Caballero (University of Geneva)
Session	Two
15.10	Coffee and ​​Summaries breakout with all tutors
16.55	​Research Idea pitch with Nirvana Caballero (University of Geneva) - 1 min flash talks
17.45	Funding Landscape with Mark Leake (University of York)
​18.00	​Grant structure with Mark Wallace (KCL)​
18.30	Wrap up Day one ​
​18.35	​Networking and pub!​​
​​20.00	Workshop dinner at Sangria Tapas Restaurant ( 19 Middle Street Galway City, Ireland.  H91 RX76)​

Day Two	Wednesday 29 June
8.30	Coffee/Networking
Session	Three
9.00	Welcome Day 2 with Mark Leake (University of York)
9.05	Leadership, collaboration, co-production with Sarah ​Guerin ​(University of Limerick)
9.30	Structuring CVs, performing in interviews with Mark Wallace (KCL)
10.00	Lay and Technical Summaries, Workplan/Risks, Costings/Resources with Mark Leake (University of York)
10.20	Coffee Break
Session	Four
10.30	Peer review & mentoring with Mark Wallace (KCL)
10.45	​Writing Time with all tutors
Session	Five
12.00	​Discussion/Q&A​ with all tutors
12.45	​Bootcamp Wrap-Up with Mark Leake (University of York)
13:00	​Lunch and Bootcamp Close

Registration

Registration for this event is FREE. Registration includes: lunch on both days, refreshments, a boot camp dinner on 28 June and a £140 subsidy towards accommodation. Each place is paid for through Physics of Life funding. We are limited in accepting 35 participants. We ask only those that intend to attend this event to apply (please read our cancellation policy).

Cancellation policy

Please note, in the case that a participant completes an application and receives a place, but does not later attend without good reason*, the participant is liable for the amount of the costed place of £150. In this instance, the fee will be payable to Physics of Life at Durham University.  Once the registration form is completed, we give participants a week grace period for cancellation. 

*Please note, that good reason to not attend includes personal illness, family illness or bereavement. ​

Accommodation

Galway, in the west of Ireland, is a top tourist destination for visitors to Connemara, the Aran Islands, the Cliffs of Moher and beyond.
During the summer months Galway gets busy, so we advise every participant requiring accommodation to book early. We advise participants do this upon receipt of their boot camp place (receipt will be in the form of an email from [email protected] which will state your place has been accepted and allocated).

Please note, it is the responsibility of the participant to book their own accommodation. In Galway, we currently have on hold 20 student rooms (28-30 June) at a negotiated rate of €65 per night (double room) with Westwood. To reserve a room with Westwood, please email:  [email protected] include name, requirements, contact details (phone & email) and promo code: BBS Conference (through Peter Crowley). Full payment is required 7 days in advance.  Westwood accommodation is a ~20 min walk to the venue and a 35 min walk to the Galway centre.

Bursaries

To ensure participants face the fewest possible barriers to attend this event Physics of Life not only cover all registration fees (as outlined above), but are also able to provide a small travel/accommodation bursary. Our funding will provide each participant with a bursary of up to £140. This claim can be made by emailing [email protected] who will ask you to complete a form (post attendance to ensure only valid claims are made). 

Venue 

The boot camp will take place at the Human Biology Building, NUI Galway.

Getting there

For info on Galway, check out Galway Convention Bureau
For international visitors there is a choice of three airports. Local transport providers for each airport are listed. 
Dublin Airport Local transport providers: CityLink,  GoBus,  Bus Éireann
Shannon Airport Local transport providers: Bus Éireann
Ireland West Airport Knock  Local transport providers: Bus Éireann

Other travel Bursaries

Help is available in the form of travel bursaries from IoP, please take a look at the below links for options and advice: 
https://www.iop.org/research-student-conference-fund
https://www.iop.org/about/support-grants/early-career-researchers-fund​