Graduate School Cluster of Excellence CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter

The Cluster of Excellence "CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter", which is funded by the German federal and state governments, combines projects in physics, chemistry, and structural biology at the forefront of international research. With interdisciplinary teams from Universität Hamburg, Max Planck Institute for the Structure and Dynamics of Matter (MPSD), Deutsches Elektronen-Synchrotron (DESY) and the European XFEL, the Cluster aims at imaging and understanding how collective behaviour and functionality emerge microscopically and how one can dynamically create new functionalities. The education and promotion of young researchers is a key aspect for the successful operation of the Cluster. Indeed, a prerequisite for world-class research on the part of young scientists is an excellent educational programme covering all relevant aspects of scientific inquiry, including training in experimentation and theory. A specific feature serving as both an asset and challenge of the cluster is its pronounced interdisciplinary nature, requiring not only the already comprehensive expertise of a single, well-defined field but also that of several cross-linked research areas. New insights and synergetic effects resulting from collaboration between inherently different viewpoints of separate fields typically accompany this endeavour. Our task force on machine learning is pursuing the goal to collect activities and information on AI in order to explore and shape the rapidly growing field of AI together and to make it accessible to our students entering the field. Given this, the CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter Graduate School features an interdisciplinary research and training programme for doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers. It is addressed to young researchers in the three main research fields of physics, chemistry and nanosciences who are interested in broadening their disciplinary knowledge via the interdisciplinary perspective. The CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter Graduate School offers excellent research and training opportunities for young researchers, including dedicated career planning. All doctoral students and post-doctoral researchers enjoy the many advantages of the Graduate School. These include not only the interdisciplinary and interinstitutional course programmes but also possibilities to apply for funds in order to participate in conferences and workshops or go on collaborative visits to renowned institutes. Additionally, doctoral students have the unique opportunity to organise their own workshops and seminars using funds from CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter. They also profit from various student activities and events such as the summer school. Training is provided both in the context of corresponding research work and with respect to personal and professional skills. Colloquia and extensive guest programmes of internationally leading experts not only complement the educational and the training programme. They also offer the particularly unique opportunity to learn about the most recent developments in the corresponding fields first-hand.