From 6 to 8 October 2026, the CONcISE consortium gathered for its 6th Topical School, titled “Life after PhD”. The three-day event brought together the CONcISE doctoral candidates (DCs), academic supervisors and industry partners to exchange knowledge, discuss research progress and explore future career opportunities. The programme began with presentations by the DCs, providing an opportunity to share their latest research developments and strengthen collaboration within the network. Scientific training sessions covered key topics such as modelling light transport in biological tissue, Bayesian inverse problems, image reconstruction using Toast++, and Monte Carlo simulations with ValoMC.
Beyond scientific training, the Topical School placed a strong emphasis on career development and transferable skills. The DCs participated in individual mock job interviews with representatives from industry partners FYLA Laser and DATRIX, gaining practical experience in preparing for their next career steps. The programme also featured a grant proposal writing course delivered by accelopment, introducing essential skills for securing future research funding. Through its combination of scientific exchange, practical training and networking opportunities, the 6th Topical School supported the doctoral candidates in preparing for successful careers in academia, industry and beyond.