Transferable Skills Program

Transferable Skills – Key qualifications for your academic and non-academic career

  • individual feedback from experts
  • intensive learning in small groups
  • multidisciplinary networking

Transferable skills are competencies acquired in one context that can be applied to other contexts, jobs, positions, functions or fields of work. A case in point are good project management skills, required in both research and various other fields (construction projects, development projects, advertising or election campaigns).

Please see the German page (click 'DE' on top bar) to view the program and to register.
 Title  Dates
Getting Started with 'R' - Analyzing and Visualizing your Statistical Data 03.-05.09.2025 08-16:00
Scientific Integrity 11.09.2025 10:15-12:00
Creating vector graphics with Adobe Illustrator 12. & 19.09.2025 12:30-16:00
From Search to Submission: Using AI Tools and Agents Across the Research Workflow 15. & 26.09., 06. & 10.10.2025 08:30-12:00
Best practices for storytelling with your scientific presentation 16. & 17.09.2025 09-17:00
Introduction to Research Data Management 16. & 23.09.2025 09:15-17:00
Prompt Engineering - How to talk to AI as a researcher 18. & 29.09.2025 10:15-12:00
Introduction to Python programming, and data analysis and visualization 02.10.2024 08:30-12:00
Planning and applying for a professional career outside academia 24.09. & 01.10.2025 10-18:00
Leadership in Transition - From Academia to Industry 25.09.2025 08:30-12:00
Project management for successful researchers 02. & 03.10.2025 09-17:00
What researchers need to know about systematic searching before publication 09.10.2025 09:15-12:00
How to write a competitive research grant proposal and fellowship application 15., 22. & 29.10.2025 08:30-12:00
Creating layouts with Adobe InDesign 16. & 23.10.2025 12:30-16:00
Scientific Writing for Publication: Essential Skills and AI Tools for Early-Career Researchers 21.10., 28.10., 18.11. & 09.12.2025 14-17:30
Public Speaking for Scientists 27. & 29.10, 14. & 17.11.2025 08-12:00
Public Speaking for Scientists 27. & 29.10, 14. & 17.11.2025 13-17:00
How to use AI tools for searching, reading, and writing: Critical thinking and sustainable best practices 30.10.2025 13-16:00
How to write a SNSF narrative CV with AI assistance 03.11.2025 08:30-12:00
Copyright & licenses: What to consider when publishing 04.11.2025 10:15-12:00
Getting Started with 'R' - Analyzing and Visualizing your Statistical Data 05.-07.11.2025 08-16:00
Empowering Research with Artificial Intelligence 10. & 11.11.2025 09-17:00
How to write a competitive research grant proposal and fellowship application 12., 19. & 26.11.2025 08:30-12:00
Media training for scientists: be in control when talking to journalists 20. & 27.11.2025 08:30-14:00
Planning and applying for a professional career outside academia 21. & 28.11.2025 10-18:00
Engaging in Policymaking as a Researcher 25.11.2025 09-17:00
Introduction to Data Science with Python 01.-03.12.2025 09-17:00
AI-Powered Methods and Tools for Research 05.12.2025 09-17:00

In addition, several other bodies of the University of Bern offer various courses dedicated to transferable skills and other academic offers for doctoral candidates and/or postdocs.

 

The course program ”Transferable Skills“ is a project of the Vice-Rectorate International and Academic Affairs within the scope of the sub-strategy of the “targeted promotion of the academics of the future” of the university's “Strategy 2021”. 

As well as earning an academic qualification, i.e. the thesis, the goal of a PhD education at the University of Bern is to acquire transferable skills so as to prepare PhD candidates for a demanding position within or outside of academia.

A further goal is to help postdocs advance in their academic career. Thus, the courses offered also give postdocs the chance to further develop relevant skills and enhance their professional profile.

Certification of such skills is seen as a competitive advantage in the labour market, which is why certificates of attendance are issued (for one day courses or longer) to document these achievements.    

The course program ”Transferable Skills“ is free of charge for postdocs and doctoral candidates of the University of Bern. ECTS are entered into the Core Teaching System of University of Bern, the decision as to whether or not academic achievements shall be recognized or considered as a part of a candidate’s doctoral studies lies with the faculties and graduate schools. Please note the Terms & Conditions below. As far as is useful and possible, a product is developed in each workshop, with individual feedback provided by the lecturers.