SMART Retreat 2024: Three Days of Collaboration & Productivity in The Black Forest

From November 13th to 15th, our doctoral researchers gathered at the Schwarzwald Lodge Rothaus for an unforgettable first SMART Retreat. Day 1: Hitting the ground running We kicked things off with parallel Write/Code/Collab/Discuss (WCCD) sessions, a structure that would continue throughout the retreat, with changing pitches each day. Doctoral researchers jumped straight into collaboratively working […]

Pitch Perfect: Turning Ideas into Collaborative Action at SMART

On November 4, we held our SMART Pitch Workshop at the Co-Creation Room, University Freiburg, where our doctoral researchers came together to pitch their project ideas for the upcoming SMART Retreat. This workshop was designed to help each participant refine their goals, articulate their challenges, and outline the connections they’d like to foster with fellow […]

Uniting Doctoral Researchers Around a Shared SmallData Vision

On June 28, 2024, our IRTG SMART early career scientists gathered for a dynamic session to discuss how their projects align with the broader SmallData Vision. In preparation for the meeting, project pairs were tasked with providing their thoughts on the following five key questions in relation to a draft vision document from SmallData shared with them beforehand: These […]

Good Scientific Practice Course for Doctoral Researchers

From April 3rd to April 5th, doctoral researchers of our SmallData Integrated Research Training Group (SMART) took part in a dynamic and enriching Good Scientific Practice course. The workshop, hosted by Dr. Michael Mende, provided an engaging platform for docs to delve into essential topics crucial for maintaining ethical standards in scientific research. The 1.5-day, […]

Successful Collaboration Kick-Off Days for Doctoral Researchers

We are thrilled to share highlights from our recent Collaboration Kick-Off Days held on February 20th and February 27th, 2024. The goal? To ignite collaboration and spark project ideas with disciplines outside of doctoral researchers’ labs. In preparation for the event, doctoral researchers sought out potential research collaborations with docs from other labs within SmallData. They produced […]

Successful Welcome Days Workshop for Doctoral Researchers in the SMART Integrated Research Training Group

On November 9th and 10th, 2023, we hosted the inaugural ‘Welcome Days’ workshop for the newly established SmallData Integrated Research Training Group SMART for all doctoral researchers within our CRC. The two-day workshop was designed to familiarize doctoral researchers with SMART’s mission, stimulate group activities, and to initiate networking. Key highlights of the Welcome Days […]

SMART

SMART, the SmallData Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG)

SmallData brings together a broad group of data disciplines to tackle small data challenges that are at the intersection of these disciplines. Our Integrated Research Training Group (IRTG) SMART will enable the four disciplines to move closer together to work on small data innovations in a collaborative effort.

Each doctoral researcher within SmallData will automatically become a member of SMART.

Aims of SMART

  • Crossing boundaries between disciplines
  • Developing a shared language
  • Creating a solid methods foundation across disciplines
  • Stimulating early independence
  • Promoting comprehensive professional skills

Structured qualification program


  • Structured qualification beyond the project-specific activity
  • Interdisciplinary research methods training
  • Peer networking
  • Annual retreats also allowing for group-based projects
  • Intensive project collaboration, e.g., through extended visits to another group within SmallData

Structured supervision

  • Trustful and respectful communication
  • Support with regulatory issues
  • Supervisory agreement and personal qualification plan
  • Annual progress meetings with thesis advisory committee

Further local training opportunities

ELLIS Unit Freiburg

Fostering European collaborations in machine learning, robotics, computer vision and reasoning

Freiburg Young Scientist AI Network

Creating a collaborative environment beyond faculty borders

Spemann Graduate School of Biology and Medicine

Multidisciplinary graduate program combining basic with translational research, biotechnology and drug development

Freiburg Graduate Centre

Service department for all questions concerning doctoral studies in Freiburg

RUB Research School

Campus-wide institution for promotion of doctoral and postdoctoral researchers of Ruhr-Universität Bochum

Graduate Academy Greifswald

Creating excellent conditions for a successful doctoral and postdoctoral phase

Principial Investigators

Principial Investigators

Administrative Manager

Marc Schumacher

Institute of Medical Biometry and Statistics,
Faculty of Medicine and Medical Center –
University of Freiburg