The MMRES is a unique, one-of-a-kind degree. Students spend the bulk of the programme—more than 60 percent—doing hands-on experimental research in the laboratory, alongside other graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and highly accomplished principal investigators, many of whom have received European Research Council (ERC) Grants and other prestigious recognitions for their cutting-edge work.

Laboratory work is carried out in two different disciplines in the form of two research projects—one major project for three months and one minor project for ten weeks—at two different participating centres, under the direct supervision of the group leader. From genomics, cancer research, bioengineering, and biomedical sciences, to quantum research, nanoscience, high energy physics, photonics, and many more, MMRES students have a wealth of projects to choose from and immerse themselves in.

The programme also includes comprehensive training in statistics and data analysis, responsible research, and science communication, contributing to building a strong CV for all MMRES students.

A seminar course called Seminars in Advanced Research features lecturers and invited speakers from the world’s leading research institutions, as well as student-led group discussions where students choose and present a research paper on a topic related to the seminar in consultation with the invited speaker. Previous speakers have come from Max Planck Institutes, CERN, Stanford, University of Toronto, the Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine, and the National Institute for Subatomic Physics, among many others.

The programme also includes a two-week Winter School, where students learn about the latest techniques and developments in microscopy, nanoscopy, and imaging sciences. The Winter School culminates in the BIST Symposium on Microscopy, Nanoscopy, and Imaging Sciences, a space for the wider scientific community to discuss the latest techniques and results in fields such as optical microscopy, electron microscopy, imaging technology, and approaches in astrophysics. Here, MMRES students can present their current research at a poster session.

Several other events take place throughout the year that students are encouraged to participate in. These include the BIST Conference—which in the past has covered themes such as precision medicine, sustainability, and quantum technologies—, the Catalonia-wide #100tífiques outreach event, the BIST mentoring programme, and coaching sessions such as our “How to succeed in your PhD” and “Writing Thesis Bootcamp” courses.