2D Materials – Physics of
van der Waals [hetero]structures

Finish It! – How to Complete and Write Up Your PhD Research

Completing and writing up a PhD thesis is a challenging task. This workshop offers a variety of impulses that typically help make the process more efficient and more enjoyable, and it gives you the opportunity to reflect upon solutions to your individual challenges. It will put particular emphasis on questions related to the writing process.

Workshop dates

The workshop will take place on Tuesday, October 7, 2025 from 9:00 to 15:30 (tentative information) as an online event via Zoom. The link will be provided in due time before. Registration deadline is August 1, 2025.

We invite PhD students from the priority program to participate in the workshop, which has a maximum capacity of 12 attendees. Spots will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, with one participant allowed per Principal Investigator (PI). PhD students not directly associated with SPP 2244 are also welcome to register but will be placed on a waiting list. The same applies if multiple registrations are submitted by PhD students belonging to the same PI.

Registration form: [link to Google form]

Workshop content

The workshop covers the following topics:

• How to deal with parallel roles and tasks?
  • What resources do I have available to complete my doctoral project?
  • What are the potentials for optimization?
• How to structure the final phase of your PhD?
  • Which typical phases do research projects have and what challenges are associated with each of them?
  • How do I work out a realistic time and work plan?
  • How do I communicate with my supervisor and others during this phase?
• How to set suitable goals and how to work effectively?
  • Develop and hierarchize own goals and milestones.
  • Selecting and using appropriate strategies and methods.
• How to write more efficiently?
  • Purposefully planning and managing writing processes.
  • Methods and strategies for writing and revising text.
• How to deal with difficulties and disruptions?
  • Managing risk and change.
  • Dealing with procrastination, anxiety, and writer's block.

In addition, there is room for your questions and concerns.

The trainer is Dr. Matthias Zach (www.kabeak.de), who supports researchers and scientists with all relevant aspects of their careers.