An Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) is part of the CRC 1242. Co-chaired by Prof. Jürgen König and Prof. Marika Schleberger, it supports the CRC in qualifying the doctoral students for the research program and for a later career in academia, industry, and administration. It offers doctoral students a comprehensive training program in fundamental sciences and key skills.

 The IRTG aims

• to overcome scientific and cultural barriers between the various disciplines and research groups involved in the CRC
• to provide a framework for a well-balanced, structured doctoral education
• to foster the scientific independence of the young researchers

 The IRTG offers

• an annual retreat that brings together all young investigators
• a CRC colloquium series, for which the Ph.D. students are encouraged to suggest external expert guests
• advanced methods and topics courses to familiarize students with various analytical techniques and experimental and theoretical methods
• a biannual International Summer School for the graduate students of the CRC and external participants
• an opportunity for all Ph.D. students for a research visit to foreign partner laboratories
• financial and organizational support for soft skill courses, that are of particular interest to doctoral students of the IRTG
• financial support for small, independent projects
• training in good scientific practice and related topics like paper writing, appropriate documentation, and data management.

All Ph.D. students working on the projects of the CRC are members of the IRTG. A committee elected by the Ph.D. students steers the action of the IRTG. The IRTG utilizes the graduate education program available at the Universität Duisburg-Essen.

 Ph.D. education in the IRTG features

• an open and fair recruiting process
• a mutual written agreement on obligations and rights
• supervision by two principal investigators
• an annual status evaluation