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💬 AUMMS RDM PhD Kickstart course

RDM PhD Kickstart course information

This course information is for all A-LIFE and Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences Department PhD's and interested colleagues.

The Research Data Management (RDM) Kickstart course starts with a workshop which will introduce you to concepts and good practices that enable good research data management. This includes topics such as the research data cycle, data formats, FAIR data and metadata, interoperability and archiving.

During the workshop you will start writing a Data Management Plan (DMP) for your PhD project and hand it in for review. You will then discuss your DMP with a Data Steward and get personalised feedback on your data management plan. Towards the end of your PhD you will be invited for a second consultation where we will discuss relevant data management topics. You will also be introduced to the RDM Exit Document which should be handed in before your contract at the VU ends. Once this is returned you will receive a course certificate of completion.

All PE&RC graduate school members, please note that the "AIMMS RDM Kickstart course" and the "Research Data Management course" mentioned in your TSP both refer to this course.

General course schedule

  • The Kickstart Workshop (1 session, 3 hrs on-campus): includes a lecture and practical work-session where you start working on your own project DMP.
  • DMP submission and review (2-3 weeks after workshop): you complete your project DMP and hand it in for review.
  • 1st consultation (1-6 weeks after DMP hand-in): a one-on-one consultation to discuss your project data management and DMP.
  • 2nd consultation (1-2 years before your contract ends): a second consultation to discuss your project data management and introduction to the PhD RDM Exit Document.
  • Before PhD completion (3-4 years): Hand-in the PhD RDM Exit Document to complete the course and receive the course certificate and EC credit.

The current edition: 2026.2

The next edition (2025.2) of the A-LIFE and Chemistry & Pharmaceutical Sciences (CPS) course will start with the Kickstart workshop which will take place on campus:

  • 03 November 2026 from 14:00 - 17:00

Please register for the course now:

Who should register for this course?

  • All new A-LIFE and Chemistry PhD's are required to do this course.
  • Any A-LIFE and Chemistry PostDocs and staff are welcome to join the workshop session.

Once you have registered you will receive an Outlook workshop invitation and more information. This may take a few days.

The next edition

  • Kickstart course workshop 2027.1: March 2027

A minimum number of participants per course is required, if this number is not reached registered participants will be invited to enrol in the following edition of the course.

Please note that this RDM Kickstart course is neither associated with, nor can be substituted by, the "PhD Writing a data management plan" course organised and presented by the VU Library (UB).

If you have any RDM/course related questions or want more information, please contact Brett Olivier, the A-LIFE and Chemistry Data Steward.

✉ Get in touch

Contact

If you have any questions or want more information, please contact:

PI's and project leads, customized versions of the workshop can be arranged for consortia and large projects, please contact me to discuss options.