VLAG courses and conferences

VLAG Graduate School forms a community of research and post-graduate education in the areas of Biobased, Biomolecular, Food, and Nutrition Sciences. The Graduate School provides a platform for high-quality post-graduate education and professional development of young researchers.

For detailed information please visit VLAG webpage: http://www.vlaggraduateschool.nl/en/courses.htm

1. VLAG Scientific courses

The graduate school organises a large number of advanced scientific courses. Topics chosen for these courses are of particular interest to PhD candidates within VLAG, but the courses are also open to external participants.  Some courses are organised annually, but most are organised every two or three years. All courses are in English.

  • Advanced Organic Chemistry
    Advanced course for WUR PhD candidates
  • Master class Dairy Protein Biochemistry
    Within this masterclass, you will learn about the specific features of the two main classes of dairy proteins, whey proteins and caseins. You will get insight in the different analytical methodologies that exist to characterize dairy proteins, their variations and molecular features, like modifications. Finally, you will get quantitative insight in the nutritional quality of dairy proteins in the human diet.
  • Life Sciences Data Integration Challenge
    Data science is revolutionizing our understanding of biology in biotechnology and systems health… What can you do in one week? Current and future scientific problems require multi-disciplinary solutions and research teams composed of members from broad domain backgrounds. As an educational simulation of such an experience, the Life Sciences Data Integration Challenge 2022 is targeted at MSc students and PhD candidates from life science, biotechnology, and bioinformatics fields. Over 5 days, participants will form multi-disciplinary teams to analyse a research problem using statistical and mathematical modelling pipelines, with the aim of uncovering new insights and observations. On the final day, a panel of judges will determine the winners of our competition prizes!
  • NanoBioPhysX Course
    This course focuses on PhD candidates working on fundamental topics (experiment or theory) within the crossover field of nanotechnology, biology, physics and chemistry, interested in broadening their academic scope and societal reach. The course aims to: Immerse participants in an interdisciplinary scientific environment and widen their scientific horizon. Foster scientific discussion and develop an interdisciplinary fundamental scientific community. Gain societal outreach experience and improve popular science writing targeted at the general public.
  • VLAG Online lecture series
    To introduce the numerous great topics that our researchers are working on, we are organising a series of live online VLAG expert lectures.

2. General courses

General courses deal with various issues relevant for the professional and personal development of PhD candidates.
VLAG organises the following general courses:

  • VLAG PhD week
  • Philosophy and Ethics of Food Science and Technology
  • various Statistics courses

VLAG also contributes to the organisation of general/skills courses jointly organised by Wageningen Graduate Schools. For detailed information please visit: https://wgs.crs.wur.nl/

  • Applied Statistics
    Each day consists of lectures and practicals using R. The examples used in the lectures and practicals are based on data provided by researchers of VLAG.
  • Chemometrics
    Each day consists of lectures and practicals using R. Examples of datasets delivered by the course participants in advance will be used in the lectures and practicals when possible.
  • VLAG PhD week
    The aim of the PhD week is to make freshman PhD candidates aware of the importance of the professional skills such as presentation techniques, scientific writing, project management, science ethics, ... in the research arena. Moreover this week aims at network formation within the VLAG PhD community, and getting insight into the wide spectrum of scientific research being carried out within the Graduate School. More at: http://www.vlaggraduateschool.nl/en/courses/General-courses/VLAG-general-courses/VLAG-PhD-week.htm
  • Introduction to R
    The aim is to provide an introduction to R, a computer language and environment for statistics and graphics. The course will focus on getting familiar with the R environment by means of RStudio, to use R for manipulation and exploration of data and to perform simple analysis. Basic programming as well as visualization of results in R will also be part of this course.

3. VLAG conferences

  • Transition from a (Sandwich) PhD programme at Wageningen University to an academic career in Africa
    University and research institutions in Africa. This programme provides many opportunities for building an academic career for individuals, but it also presents some challenges. This workshop is an initiative of three Sandwich PhD graduates – from Benin, Zimbabwe, and Zambia - who will also be our special guests. They have moved to an academic position at their home institute and will share their experiences and will reflect on successes, challenges, and opportunities of the PhD programme at Wageningen University and their experience afterwards. We will also highlight on how to maximize on mutual benefits for all involved, the PhD candidates, their Wageningen counterparts and the Universities/partner institutions involved, and how to navigate pitfalls.
  • Bayesian Data Analysis: a new perspective in the VLAG domain
    A short introduction to the benefits of using Bayesian Data Analysis, with examples from the domains of biotechnology, microbiology, environmental sciences, food, and nutrition. Interesting for staff members, PhDs, postdocs and PIs alike.
  • VLAG College tour with Louise Fresco - Connecting in Food and Nutrition
    During this event, early career scientists have the opportunity to engage with Louise Fresco. A moderator will guide the interaction in which she will reflect on the day's theme from her professional experience, providing her own view on developments in Food & Nutrition, and reflect on and answer questions from the audience.
  • VLAG Open Round - ONLINE PITCH EVENT
    Teams of Tenure Track researchers pitch their project ideas
  • Mini-symposium Rheology
    This mini-symposium will feature keynote lectures. Furthermore we will invite senior scientists from WUR to give talks on their rheology-related work. Participants can submit an abstract and be invited to give a short presentation on their work, where capacity allows.
  • VLAG Celebrates 25th Anniversary
    VLAG Graduate School celebrates its silver jubilee!