Scientific projects are becoming increasingly complex, involving interdisciplinary teams, limited resources, evolving objectives, regulatory requirements, and competitive funding environments. While scientists are highly trained in their research fields, formal project management skills are often not part of their academic education. This workshop provides a practical introduction to project management in the context of scientific and research projects. Participants will learn how project management tools can support the successful planning, implementation, monitoring, and completion of research projects - from the initial idea and grant proposal to the final project outcomes.

Topics include:

• Project initiation, planning, execution, monitoring, and closure
• Stakeholder and risk analysis
• Goal definition and project structuring (WBS)
• Timeline planning using Gantt charts
• Resource and budget planning
• Quality and risk management
• Communication and responsibility management
• Lessons learned and project evaluation

Learning Objectives

After completing the workshop, participants will be able to:

• Understand the principles of project management in scientific environments
• Apply selected project management tools to their own projects
• Structure complex research projects more effectively
• Identify and manage risks, stakeholders, and resources
• Improve collaboration, communication, and project success

Target Audience

The workshop is designed for clinicians, life scientists, natural scientists, engineers, and researchers at all career stages, including doctoral researchers, postdoctoral researchers, clinician scientists, principal investigators, and research coordinators who are involved in planning, managing, or contributing to scientific projects.

No prior project management experience is required. The workshop is particularly relevant for researchers who lead projects, prepare grant applications, coordinate interdisciplinary collaborations, or wish to strengthen their project management skills in academic and translational research environments.

Virginia Bolowski combines strong expertise in research coordination and management with her role as Personal Assistant to the Vice Dean for Budget, Planning and Structure at the University Medical Centre Rostock and her qualification as a Certified Project Management Associate (IPMA® Level D).

She has many years of experience in research management, including the coordination of collaborative research projects, individual consulting for grant applications, and the organization of scientific networking events and funding programs for early-career researchers. Her work focused on supporting researchers throughout the entire project lifecycle - from the development of research ideas and funding acquisition to project implementation and reporting.

Currently, she is responsible for the project management of the implementation of the “Strategy for Research and Teaching 2030” at the University Medical Centre Rostock. In this role, she coordinates and supports multiple working groups in implementing strategic measures by establishing structured implementation processes, monitoring progress, facilitating communication between stakeholders, and ensuring the successful execution of strategic initiatives.

Through her experience at the interface between science and administration, she has extensive expertise in translating scientific objectives into structured, manageable projects while addressing the organizational, financial, and regulatory requirements of academic research.