KSQM Calendar

Many potential mentors and mentees believe that mentoring is solely about the mentor providing advice about the mentee’s professional development. High quality relational mentoring has the potential to be bidirectional (enhancing the development of both the mentor and mentee) and transformational (impacting how the mentor and mentee think about not just their current job, but their careers, their vocations, and their lives).

In this workshop you will:
- Understand what high-quality mentoring means and explore its potential as a two-way street
- Learn approaches to maximize the probability of a high-quality relationship
- Explore steps in operationalizing mentoring relationships

This event serves as an annual gathering and exchange among KSQM fellows, as well as an opportunity to brainstorm future KSQM programs.
If you are a KSQM member, a KSQM PI, or a doctorate interested in joining KSQM, you are invited to join us. It’s a great chance to connect with the entire community and learn more about KSQM. We look forward to seeing you there!

This three-lecture series provides a conceptual introduction to the physics of disordered superconductors, emphasizing general principles and their limitations. We begin by reviewing optical sum rules and gauge invariance in metals and superconductors. In addition we discuss the Anderson theorem and the remarkable robustness of conventional s-wave superconductivity against nonmagnetic disorder. Building on this foundation, we then discuss mechanisms of pair breaking, focusing on the effects of magnetic impurities and strong disorder, and introduce the Abrikosov–Gor’kov framework for the suppression of superconductivity. Finally, we turn to unconventional superconductors, where disorder plays a qualitatively different role due to symmetry, topology, and strong correlations. We examine how disorder probes pairing symmetry, modifies low-energy excitations, and can both destroy and induce novel superconducting phenomena. Throughout the lectures, emphasis is placed on unifying principles, experimentally relevant observables, and open questions at the interface of disorder, interactions, and superconductivity.

How are good research, successful research, and responsible research connected? This workshop invites early career researchers to reflect on the ethical challenges that can arise in everyday scientific practice — especially in competitive academic environments shaped by publication pressure, hierarchy, and limited resources.
The workshop addresses questions such as:
When does selective data presentation become problematic? How should researchers deal with statistical “outliers” or ambiguous results? What counts as scientific misconduct — and what falls into an ethical grey area? How transparent must research practice be? What can I do if I notice misconduct or questionable research practices? How should I respond to problematic expectations from supervisors or colleagues? The workshop combines short inputs with realistic case discussions and role-play exercises. Participants will learn to recognise ethical conflicts, analyse them more clearly, and develop practical tools for making responsible decisions in their own research contexts.
The aim is not only to raise awareness of potential misconduct, but to show that excellent research and responsible research belong together.

KSQM Coffee & Cake Events provide the opportunity for PhD students to interact with distinguished alumni in an informal format and setting; PIs are not present.
 
Thanks to Prof. Markus Garst, we are pleased to have Laura and Tobias to our upcoming alumni event, where they will share their career insights and advice with KSQM members.
 
Laura Köhler: From theoretical solid state physics to experimental atmospheric physics
 
Laura studied physics in Cologne with a focus on theoretical physics. After completing her Master's thesis in the field of chiral magnets, she moved to Dresden to do her PhD under the supervision of Prof. Markus Garst, completing it in 2019. Her PhD focused on helimagnetic excitations and (topological) defects in helimagnets, using mainly analytical methods. After her PhD, she decided to move into a new field where she could experience her research topic more directly and first-hand. Her first postdoc was at the Max Planck Institute for Meteorology, where she continued to work primarily on the theoretical side, studying atmospheric waves. During this time, she joined her first ship campaign on the research vessel Maria S. Merian and started working with shipborne observations. In 2024, she began a postdoc position at the Alfred Wegener Institute. Her first project was to develop an automated monitoring box for commercial ships to improve atmospheric data coverage over the oceans, a task that also involved technical hands-on work. She tested it during several ship campaigns and also joined her first aircraft campaign with the polar research aircraft Polar 6 during that time. Her recent work focuses on ship- and airborne observations in the polar regions, with particular attention to aerosol particles and turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer.
 
Tobias Meng: What quantum science taught me about universal skills and navigating an unpredictable career
 
Tobias is a quantum scientist whose career has taken him from academia to „the industry". Along the way, he experienced the highest highs of academic life, like tackling fascinating scientific questions together with brilliant people, or receiving recognition through a prestigious Emmy Noether grant and awards. But he also faced its distinct lows: the relentless "publish or perish" pressure, the imposter syndrome of "fake it till you make it," and the overwhelming uncertainty of a hyper-competitive job market.
 
Through leading research groups, developing tech products, and managing complex projects, Tobias saw that some of the central skills for navigating these different worlds are surprisingly universal, including heartfelt and authentic leadership, taking responsibility, and building adaptable skills. Navigating all of this while raising two children, he also knows firsthand the challenge of combining a career with family life. Ultimately, Tobias’s journey taught him just how unpredictable professional paths can be. He would love to share his very personal perspective on career transitions, the value of transferable skills, and what thus far made him happy in the end.
 

The idea of this training is to transmit the fundamental tools to participants to be more impactful and rapidly deliver a clear message. One of the main principles is to learn by doing (combination of 20% theory and 80% tailored theater exercises).

In public speaking, both content and form are important. In this training, we will mainly focus on form.

A practical toolbox with the fundamentals of public speaking will be presented so you can rapidly boost your impact, involve the audience and deliver a clear message. We will use specific theater exercises, tailored to your individual needs so you can practice and improve quickly.

We will cover the fundamentals of public speaking :

- how to stand, where to look, and overall body language

- how to relate to the audience

- how to gain confidence

- how to build a captivating introduction to catch your audience’s attention

- how to use your voice effectively (volume, speed, intonation, diction)

- how to deliver a concise and clear message

Coach: Mélane Le Gall is a theater actress and a public speaking trainer.

Mélane graduated from EM Lyon Business School in 2010 and, after studying abroad, specialized in international marketing (Procter & Gamble, L'Oréal). In 2011, She was hired in New York by Fromageries Bel as the business developer and market analyst for the entire Latin America region.

In New York, Mélane switched to professional acting. She worked with Russian and American directors for Off-Broadway plays, and wrote and produced her own solo performance.

Mélane returned to Paris in 2016. In parallel to pursuing her acting career, she decided to put her skills to providing training and support for leaders and managers in public speaking.

She has worked as a public speaking coach for companies such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Unilever, EDF, etc. helping executive managers reach their full potential and become more impactful in speaking. And she is the public speaking trainer for EDHEC Business School "Advanced Management Programme" - a top flight programme for CEOs, senior executives and experienced professionals.

Mélane's skills : public speaking and non-verbal communication. What she likes most: making others aware of their strengths and guiding them to dare and push their limits while having fun !

The idea of this training is to transmit the fundamental tools to participants to be more impactful and rapidly deliver a clear message. One of the main principles is to learn by doing (combination of 20% theory and 80% tailored theater exercises).

In public speaking, both content and form are important. In this training, we will mainly focus on form.

A practical toolbox with the fundamentals of public speaking will be presented so you can rapidly boost your impact, involve the audience and deliver a clear message. We will use specific theater exercises, tailored to your individual needs so you can practice and improve quickly.

We will cover the fundamentals of public speaking :

- how to stand, where to look, and overall body language

- how to relate to the audience

- how to gain confidence

- how to build a captivating introduction to catch your audience’s attention

- how to use your voice effectively (volume, speed, intonation, diction)

- how to deliver a concise and clear message

Coach: Mélane Le Gall is a theater actress and a public speaking trainer.

Mélane graduated from EM Lyon Business School in 2010 and, after studying abroad, specialized in international marketing (Procter & Gamble, L'Oréal). In 2011, She was hired in New York by Fromageries Bel as the business developer and market analyst for the entire Latin America region.

In New York, Mélane switched to professional acting. She worked with Russian and American directors for Off-Broadway plays, and wrote and produced her own solo performance.

Mélane returned to Paris in 2016. In parallel to pursuing her acting career, she decided to put her skills to providing training and support for leaders and managers in public speaking.

She has worked as a public speaking coach for companies such as Dior, Louis Vuitton, Unilever, EDF, etc. helping executive managers reach their full potential and become more impactful in speaking. And she is the public speaking trainer for EDHEC Business School "Advanced Management Programme" - a top flight programme for CEOs, senior executives and experienced professionals.

Mélane's skills : public speaking and non-verbal communication. What she likes most: making others aware of their strengths and guiding them to dare and push their limits while having fun !