Training and Development
At NexGenTech, we believe that world-changing science is built on more than just technical excellence, it requires leadership, communication, innovation, and a deep understanding of real-world impact. Our comprehensive training programme equips students not only to lead research but also to drive meaningful change across academia, industry, and society.
Skills Development
Throughout the programme, students will engage in the structured development of transferable skills, leadership, communication, and entrepreneurship. Dedicated workshops will build expertise in scientific writing, data management, teamwork, resilience, conflict management, bias awareness, and diversity and inclusion. We place a strong emphasis on outreach and public engagement, offering opportunities to connect science with the wider community from the start of your journey.
Industry engagement is woven into the training, with our partners contributing through mentorship, placements, and specialist training sessions. Students will develop a deep understanding of the broad scientific, societal, and economic impact of next-generation technologies to prepare them for careers where innovation matters most.
From the beginning, new students also benefit from peer-to-peer learning opportunities with current NextGenTech students, helping to build a strong, inclusive cohort culture.
Conferences, Events, and Networking
NexGenTech students will participate in an annual programme of major training events designed to foster a strong, collaborative cohort environment:
- Annual Student-Led Conference: Present your research, connect with peers, and build your professional network.
- Public Engagement Event: Develop outreach skills and deliver hands-on science engagement activities for primary and secondary schools.
- Entrepreneurial and Specialist Skills Workshop: Deepen your expertise in commercialisation, innovation, and industrial impact.
- Residential Retreat: A two-day off-site retreat focused on leadership development, cohort building, and long-term career planning.
Students also benefit from attendance at national and international conferences, retreats, and networking events, ensuring visibility and impact across the global scientific community.
A Cohort-Based Start: The First Week
Your NexGenTech journey begins with a fully immersive, one-week cohort-based skills programme open to all new PhD students across the Schools of Chemistry and Physics & Astronomy at St Andrews.
This dynamic training module focuses on:
- Day 1: Team-building, science ethics, and public awareness.
- Day 2: Communication skills for research: presentation techniques, scientific writing, and data curation.
- Day 3: Bias-awareness, resilience, and conflict management.
- Day 4: Outreach and Public Engagement training.
- Day 5: Developing hands-on public engagement activities, culminating in live outreach events with local schools.
By fostering a collaborative, cross-disciplinary mindset from day one, we build a vibrant community where students are supported to thrive personally and professionally throughout their PhD.