Welcome & Arrival

HIDA & the Research School Network: "Welcome to HIDA: Your Gateway to Data Science in Helmholtz" 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.

PhD to What’s Next: Insights from Science and Economy

• Siddhant Agarwal (HEIBRIDS almunus, HEREON)
• Carola Trahms (MarData Alumna, EvoLogics)

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?

Marketplace & Poster Session: Explore the Helmholtz Universe: Platforms, Tools & Opportunities 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.

Phd Project Pitches 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.

Final discussions

Arrival at HIDA Hub

Welcome & Agenda of the day

HIDS School Networking Session

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)

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!**

LUNCH

Final discussions & Good Bye