The third edition of ICIQ’s Severo Ochoa PhD Training Programme (SHARP) has successfully concluded after two intensive weeks filled with training sessions designed to strengthen the scientific, technical, and professional development of ICIQ PhD students.
SHARP is a multiannual training initiative aimed at providing ICIQ doctoral researchers with complementary skills that go beyond traditional BSc or MSc curricula. The programme covers scientific and transversal aspects of chemistry, preparing participants for successful careers both within and beyond academia.
“Our goal is to provide a well-rounded training experience that empowers our PhD students to grow as scientists and professionals,” explains the ICIQ Academic Committee. “SHARP offers them tools to communicate effectively, innovate responsibly, and connect their research to broader societal needs.”
The programme is structured around four progressive stages, each aligned with the students’ PhD trajectory:
> First Year – Introduction to research and technical skills: Focused on building a solid foundation for a successful PhD, this stage includes scientific and technical modules, team building, programming for chemists, and open science.
> Second Year – Communication skills: This stage focuses on developing soft skills crucial for effective communication. Sessions covered technical writing and presentations, scientific ethics, public engagement, and data visualization..
> Third Year – Innovation and technology transfer: The third-year module explores how research ideas can move beyond the lab. Students learned about knowledge and technology transfer (KTT), intellectual property (IP), and the process of creating a spin-off.
> Fourth Year – Career development: This session centers on career development, featuring courses on CV adaptation and how to approach job interviews.
Expertise from inside and outside ICIQ
As in previous editions, the programme benefited from the contribution of experts from both ICIQ and external institutions.
Among this year’s invited lecturers were Vlad Martin (ALBA Synchrotron), Alejandro Diéguez (Johnson & Johnson), Wenceslao Lumeras (Lilly), Isabel Marco (Pons IP), Juan José Saenz (Agata) and Guillermo Marín (BSC-CNS) who shared their perspectives on research infrastructures, industrial R&D, intellectual property, communication skills and data visualization.
This third edition gathered 71 PhD students from different cohorts, 37 men and 34 women, who took part in the two-week programme. For first-year participants, SHARP offered a window into the broader scientific landscape and a chance to connect with peers across disciplines.
“The SHARP programme was a great and truly valuable experience for me,” says Farzaneh Hosseini, first-year PhD student in the group of Prof. Carles Bo. “I found the computational section, particularly the Machine Learning and Python sessions presented by Moises, Diego, Javier, and Santiago, extremely useful and an excellent starting point for my PhD journey. “
For third-year students, the programme also provided continuity and reflection. Having participated since the first edition, they could appreciate how their skills evolved alongside the growing scope of SHARP.
“Participating in the three SHARP editions has given me a clear sense of progression: first learning the basics, then improving how I communicate science, and now thinking about innovation and my future career,” says Laia Marin, third-year PhD student in the group of Prof. Palomares. “It’s a programme that grows with you, and I’m grateful for the continuity and support it provides. “All ICIQ PhD students are encouraged to participate actively in SHARP. Attendance is certified with a diploma, and evaluation is carried out by mutual agreement between the student, their PI, or the lecturer.
The programme ensures balance across ICIQ’s key research areas — catalysis, sustainability, health, and energy — and aligns with the institute’s Severo Ochoa Excellence accreditation (CEX2024-001469-S), funded by MICIU/AEI (10.13039/501100011033).
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