Medical University of Vienna
1776902400
Date:April 23rd and 24th 2026
Location: SkillsLab, Sensengasse 2, 1090 Vienna
This two-day workshop is designed to help our Doctoral Candidates strengthen CV writing skills and visual storytelling. They will also be participating in Podcast recording. Sessions include:
Visual Impact & Concept Positioning – Biolution
This practical workshop helps our students understand how reviewers think and teaches them how to present their research clearly using effective visuals. Through examples and practice, participants learn to create stronger graphical stories and deliver a concise, professional overview of their PhD work.n.
Narrative CV Workshop & Interview Techniques – Biolution
Our students will learn how to craft a narrative CV and prepare for interviews in both academic and industry settings. The session includes practical tips and mock interviews to boost their confidence and presentation skills
Student Supervision Essentials – Suzanne Turner
In this talk, Suzanne Turner shares her personal approach to mentoring and supervising students. Gain practical insights into building supportive, productive relationships that foster academic and professional growth.
FANTOM Podcast Series – Chris Smith & Doctoral Candidates
During this session, Chris Smith and our PhD students record engaging podcast episodes exploring research journeys, challenges, and successes. This series offers an authentic look into the experiences shaping the next generation of scientists.
Vienna Meeting Event (by Nicola Mora)
Our two-day workshop in Vienna centred on improving how we communicate our science and develop our careers. We opened with an engaging workshop led by the Naked Scientists, during which we recorded a podcast session. With Rachel’s guidance, we were interviewed about our research with the aim of improving our ability to present it to a general audience — a skill that will serve us well in future public-facing opportunities. This emphasis on clear communication carried into the afternoon, where Stefan from Biolution helped us assess and restructure our CVs into more compelling narrative formats and coached us through our elevator pitches. The positive feedback we received was a genuine confidence boost and will prove invaluable at future networking events where we may encounter prospective employers.
The second day turned to the visual and strategic dimensions of our work. The morning was devoted to understanding what makes a graphical abstract effective, with group exercises in which we analysed real papers and revised their abstracts collaboratively. The afternoon took a longer view: Suzanne Turner offered an honest account of what it means to lead a lab as a PI, followed by an enlightening presentation from Cosimo Lobello of ALKATRAS on the realities of the job market — covering the transition into industry and the outsized role that networking plays in securing a position. The meeting ultimately reinforced that while the quality of one’s research remains fundamental, the ability to pitch it clearly, present it visually, and cultivate the right connections is what genuinely drives a career forward.
