Project Management for PhD students in Life Science

Fridays 10, 17 and 31 March 2017

Prof. Poirier Yves, UNIL; CUSO Coordinator Zoia Debora, UNIL

Dr. Ulrike Rapp Fitchett, Rapp Training, Genolier

Speaker: Dr. Ulrike Rapp Fitchett

Dr. Ulrike Rapp Fitchett studied pharmacy at the EPFZ, and did her thesis at the Institute of Medical Microbiology of the University of Zürich, in parallel to a full-time University assistant position. Thanks to the latter position, and in addition to the PhD, she earned a Diploma as Specialist in Medical Laboratory Analyses FAMH.

From 1994 to 2010 Dr. Rapp Fitchett worked in the field of project management in the pharmaceutical industry, initially as a leader for Swiss and EU projects, and then for over 10 years in charge of global development programs. In 2011 she received her PMP (Project Management Professional) license from the PMI (Project Management Institute, PA, USA) and began in 2011 a training program as an Adult Trainer at the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (Institut Fédéral des Hautes Etudes en Formation Professionnelle EHB IFFP IUFFP) in Lausanne. In 2012 she obtained the Certificate of the Swiss Federation for Adult Education SVEB/FSEA, and in 2014 the Swiss Federal License as an Adult Trainer. Dr. Rapp Fitchett has completed her studies at the Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training with an applied research project. In January 2016, she earned a Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS) "Specialization in Vocational Education and Training for Adults". Dr. Rapp Fitchett currently works as an independent adult trainer and quality auditor in the field of education and vocational training.

DESCRIPTION
Project management is a valuable skill that can be applied right from the outset of doctoral research. It is also a skill that prospective employers highly appreciate - both inside and outside the university environment. The doctoral research project presents an ideal context in which to learn and apply the basic processes, tools and techniques of project management. Participants in this workshop learn how they can use their limited resources effectively. Ideally suited to the beginning of the research project, understanding the concepts and practices of project management and applying them to their doctoral thesis will help participants to guide the research process towards its completion, and to build vital skills for their future career.


TARGET GROUP/REQUIREMENTS
Participants should already have an outline of the project's content or have written or received a project proposal. No prior knowledge of project management is assumed.The workshop can be attended at any stage of the doctoral work, to greatest advantage during the first half of the PhD project.

WORKSHOP OBJECTIVES
After this course, the participants are able to:

• define the terms "project" and "project management"
• structure a project in phases, subprojects, work packages and set milestones
• plan a phase in detail, and monitor and control progress
• analyse the project's stakeholders and produce a concept to inform them adequately
• identify project risks and develop measures for managing them
• document project progress
• define roles and responsibilities in a project context
• use aspects of project management to work constructively with others in a project environment
• apply selected project management processes, tools and techniques effectively to their own research project (transfer period)

CONTENT
• Structuring projects in phases; designing work packages; setting milestones
• Formulating project objectives (intermediate and final)
• Planning project time and workload in detail
• Project monitoring and controlling
• Stakeholder analysis and information concept
• Risk assessment and risk management
• Project organisation: roles and responsibilities
• Documenting projects
• Project start and end

METHODS
Short theoretical inputs, exercises, small-group discussions. Participants work on applying the theory to their own projects.

TRANSFER PHASES
The two transfer phases are an integral part of the course. In the time between the three course days, participants will apply several project management methods to their own projects and bring the results to the next day of the workshop (approximately 6 hours of work in total).

University of Lausanne, Amphipôle room 340 & Antropôle room 3174

PhD students of StarOmics are eligible for reimbursement of incurred travel expenses by train (half-fare card, and 2nd class) and meals (up to 25 CHF). Please send the original tickets (no copies, except for the general abonnement) with the reimbursement form to Corinne Dentan (see: biologie.cuso.ch)

Deadline for registration: 3 March 2017

This is a shared course with the Microbiology and Molecular Plants Science Programs and places availables will be assigned proportionally (4 students of each program).

Press on the red link below "Joint activity"

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