DO IT - PhD initiative

DO IT is a PhD initiative by and for the doctoral researchers of the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research. It was founded in 2002 with the aim to further promote PhD education and supervision at the HZI and improve the PhD conditions. DO IT is the connecting link between the doctoral researchers and the directorial board. We advance the PhD situation and make suggestions for further improvements.

Who is DO IT?

DO IT composed of three representatives chosen out of all doctoral researchers. All doctoral researchers elect the representatives for a one-year term.

What does DO IT do?

We get together on a regular basis to discuss and organize projects. The meetings provide the opportunity for all doctoral researchers to participate, raise questions or give suggestions. Major projects are realized with the help of the directorial board and the departments of Public Relations or Human Resources. We constantly exchange ideas and plan activities together with PhDs from other Helmholtz Research Centres and the Max Planck Society. On this basis, DO IT successfully co-founded the Helmholtz Juniors as a PhD initiative for every PhD within the Helmholtz Association.

What has DO IT achieved?

Through its achievements and good support by the HZI, DO IT has evolved into a role model among the PhD initiatives within the Helmholtz Association.

DO IT has achieved so far:

  • Thesis committee for every doctoral researcher
  • DO IT room for social and professional activities
  • Follow up contracts for successful PhDs
  • Ombudsmen for PhDs
  • Soft skill courses for PhDs:Bioinformatics, Job application, Project management

The current projects

Annual events:

  • PhD retreat
  • Casual get-togethers
  • Award the “Supervisor Of The Year”
  • Attend the Helmholtz Juniors meeting
  • Attend the meeting of the Helmholtz Association
  • Summer BBQ

Ongoing projects:

  • Soft skill courses for PhDs
  • Implementation of an Alumni network
  • Writing articles for the InFact magazine
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