HIDA PhD Kick - Off Days
from
Monday 19 May 2025 (13:00)
to
Tuesday 20 May 2025 (19:00)
Monday 19 May 2025
13:00
Welcome & Arrival
Welcome & Arrival
13:00 - 14:00
14:00
HIDA & the Research School Network: "Welcome to HIDA: Your Gateway to Data Science in Helmholtz"
HIDA & the Research School Network: "Welcome to HIDA: Your Gateway to Data Science in Helmholtz"
14:00 - 14:30
Get to know the Helmholtz Information & Data Science Academy (HIDA) — Germany’s largest postgraduate training network in information and data science. In this session, the HIDA team will introduce the HIDA PhD LifeCycle, the six Research Schools (MarDATA, MUDS, HDS-LEE, HEIBRiDS, HIDSS4Health, DASHH), and the tools and platforms available to support your research, networking, and communication. Learn how HIDA connects doctoral researchers across disciplines and institutions, and how you can make the most of its diverse opportunities throughout your PhD journey.
14:30
PhD to What’s Next: Insights from Science and Economy
-
Siddhant Agarwal
(
HEIBRIDS almunus, HEREON
)
Carola Trahms
(
MarData Alumna, EvoLogics
)
PhD to What’s Next: Insights from Science and Economy
Siddhant Agarwal
(
HEIBRIDS almunus, HEREON
)
Carola Trahms
(
MarData Alumna, EvoLogics
)
14:30 - 15:30
Two alumni of the HIDA Research Schools share their personal journeys after completing their PhDs: Siddhant Agarwal (HEIBRiDS alumnus, now at Hereon) offers insights into continuing a career in science, while Carola Trahms (MarDATA alumna, now at EvoLogics) reflects on her path into industry. Their short keynote talks will be followed by a joint panel discussion and Q&A, exploring key decisions, challenges, and opportunities when choosing between academia and the private sector. A session full of honest perspectives and valuable takeaways for anyone wondering: What comes after the PhD?
15:30
Marketplace & Poster Session: Explore the Helmholtz Universe: Platforms, Tools & Opportunities
Marketplace & Poster Session: Explore the Helmholtz Universe: Platforms, Tools & Opportunities
15:30 - 16:30
Grab a coffee and explore the diverse landscape of Helmholtz platforms and initiatives at our interactive Marketplace and Poster Session. Learn more about HIFIS, Helmholtz AI, the Helmholtz Metadata Collaboration, Helmholtz Imaging, and other exciting opportunities at HESIE, the Open Science Office and more. Connect with experts, ask questions, and discover how these services and tools can support your research and collaboration within the Helmholtz ecosystem.
16:30
Phd Project Pitches
Phd Project Pitches
16:30 - 18:00
Pitch your research project to your peers and identify your future sparring partners! We will form small groups and a rotating system to make sure you get a good overview of the (planned) research projects and focus points from your peers.
18:00
Final discussions
Final discussions
18:00 - 19:00
Tuesday 20 May 2025
08:30
Arrival at HIDA Hub
Arrival at HIDA Hub
08:30 - 09:00
09:00
Welcome & Agenda of the day
Welcome & Agenda of the day
09:00 - 09:15
09:15
HIDS School Networking Session
HIDS School Networking Session
09:15 - 10:00
10:00
Workshop 1: LLMs in Practice: Using AI Tools Wisely in Research Software Engineering
-
Katrin Frisch
(
Ombuds Committee for Research Integrity in Germany
)
Jan Ebert
(
FZJ
)
Workshop 1: LLMs in Practice: Using AI Tools Wisely in Research Software Engineering
Katrin Frisch
(
Ombuds Committee for Research Integrity in Germany
)
Jan Ebert
(
FZJ
)
10:00 - 13:00
You might already be using Large Language Models (LLMs) to write code, debug, or even brainstorm research ideas. But how do these AI tools fit into the bigger picture of good scientific practice? This workshop is your guide to understanding the role of LLMs in Research Software Engineering. We'll explore how they can help you iterate on code faster, improve documentation, and navigate tedious programming tasks—but also look closely at the risks, such as incorrect outputs, hidden biases, and unclear contributorship. In addition, we'll connect these tools to research integrity: What does “responsible use” really mean? How can you use LLMs while staying transparent, reproducible and in line with research integrity? With practical examples, interactive exercises, and discussions, this session will raise awareness for using LLMs effectively and responsibly when working on research software. **PLEASE BRING YOUR LAPTOP!**
13:00
LUNCH
LUNCH
13:00 - 14:00
14:00
Workshop 2: Model Cards for Scientific Machine Learning: Transparency, Accountability, and the Future of Documentation
-
Charles Rathkopf
(
FZJ
)
Workshop 2: Model Cards for Scientific Machine Learning: Transparency, Accountability, and the Future of Documentation
Charles Rathkopf
(
FZJ
)
14:00 - 16:00
As machine learning becomes central to scientific discovery—from neuroscience to climate modeling—new tools are needed to document models in ways that support transparency, replicability, and responsible reuse. Model cards offer a structured format for reporting how an ML model works, where it performs well (or poorly), and what limitations or risks it carries. Originally proposed to address fairness in commercial AI, model cards are now being adapted for scientific settings, where openness and rigor are equally essential. In this seminar, we explore how model cards can support not only ethical reflection but also scientific clarity. We will compare them to traditional methods sections, examine real examples (including from biomedical AI), and critically evaluate when—and how—model cards should be written. Participants will also create their own mini-model card sketches, and we’ll close by considering how these tools might evolve in the context of large foundation models and domain-specific scientific norms. This seminar is ideal for early-career researchers using ML in the sciences, especially those interested in reproducibility, interpretability, and responsible deployment.
Workshop 3: Interdisciplinary Collaboration
-
Cornelia Altenburg
(
Golin Wissenschaftsmanagement, Berlin
)
Workshop 3: Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Cornelia Altenburg
(
Golin Wissenschaftsmanagement, Berlin
)
14:00 - 16:00
Interdisciplinary collaborations are often the most efficient route to managing complex research questions because they are integrative and benefit from collective expertise. However, such research requires effective communication across boundaries. Collaborators often have vastly different approaches to research design and methodology, and different technical vocabularies and communication cultures. Successful communication in interdisciplinary settings requires the ability to express your research in ways that are clear and understandable to others outside of your discipline or expertise. With a few fundamental strategies for communication and presentation it is possible to illustrate complex information in a context relevant way, to convince others, to win supporters and thus reach the respectively set goals. In this workshop the participants sharpen their personal communication strategies to engage in constructive collaborations in interdisciplinary settings. The workshop contents include: - Communication & presentation basics: Clear goals und a thorough preparation - Go public – go scientific! Coordinating the joint effort - Everything under control? Dealing with difficult situations - Interdisciplinary cooperation: My next steps
16:00
Final discussions & Good Bye
Final discussions & Good Bye
16:00 - 16:30