PainScouts: Scientific training and exchange
PainScouts are medical students, PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and clinician scientists involved in the research projects of KFO 5001. Within this diverse community, expert knowledge from multiple disciplines is conveyed in a focused and practice-oriented manner. Continuous scientific exchange supports the integration of innovative ideas, new methodological approaches, and emerging perspectives into individual research projects. The diversity of pain research approaches further enables PainScouts to acquire a broad range of techniques, skills, and expertise, while appropriate contact persons for specific questions can be easily identified.
Basic scientific training
A central aim of KFO 5001 is to provide all PainScouts with structured and comprehensive training in scientific research.
- The Graduate School of Life Sciences (GSLS) offers doctoral candidates in medicine and the life sciences a structured qualification program. In addition to fundamental principles of scientific work, the program provides practical guidance for the successful completion of a doctoral thesis.
- The Integrative Clinician Scientist College (ICSC) and the Center for Clinical Research (IZKF) offer training formats specifically tailored to the needs of clinician scientists. These advanced courses and seminars cover topics such as biostatistics, good clinical practice, scientific writing, and the preparation of scientific presentations.
Specialist Training and Scientific Exchange
All PainScouts and interested members of the KFO 5001 research unit are invited to a monthly Jour fixe. While these meetings initially focused on the introduction of new methods and procedures, they now primarily serve as a forum for presenting research projects and discussing their progress. The subsequent interdisciplinary discussion fosters lively scientific exchange and joint reflection on mechanisms of pain and pain resolution.
To further strengthen methodological expertise, principal investigators offer hands-on classes in their respective areas of specialization. These courses provide practical insights into techniques commonly used in pain research.
Career Mentoring Program
To support long-term career development and promote equal opportunities within KFO 5001, the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Committee is launching an internal Career Mentoring Program starting in 2026.
The program offers individual career guidance from experienced principal investigators within the KFO 5001 consortium, independent of direct project supervision. It is designed to support career planning, academic development, and personal decision-making within an interdisciplinary and inclusive research environment. The program is open to all PainScouts.
Journal Club
In addition, several research groups organize a weekly Journal Club on fixed days. Headed by respective project leader, the workgroup members or the PainScouts present a current article from clinical research or basic research on a selected topic. If you are interested in attending, please register in advance. The events will be held in English.
Monday
Time: 13:00 h
Theme: AG Rittner Pain research
Mentor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Heike Rittner
Information: If you want to be included in the mailing list, please send an e-mail to resolvepain@ukw.de
Tuesday
Time: 13:00 h
Theme: AG Neurobiology
Mentor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Philip Tovote, PD Dr. rer. nat. Michael Briese
Information: If you want to be included in the mailing list, please send an e-mail to Tovote_P@ukw.de or briese_m@ukw.de
Time: 16:00 h
Theme: Ion channels and associated proteins: Structure, function , protein, protein interactions
Mentor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Carmen Villmann
Information: If you want to be included in the mailing list, please send an e-mail to villmann_c@ukw.de
Time: 17:30 h
Theme: AG Sommer Pain research
Mentor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. med. Claudia Sommer
Information: If you want to be included in the mailing list, please send an e-mail to boframos_e@ukw.de
Thursday
Time: 16:30 h
Theme: Basic science seminar on pathomechanisms of neurological diseases
Mentor: Dr. rer. nat. Dennis Klein
Information: If you want to be included in the mailing list, please send an e-mail to Klein_D2@ukw.de
Time: 16:30 h
Theme: AG Rittner Pain research
Mentor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heike Rittner, MD
Information: If you want to be included in the mailing list, please send an e-mail to resolvepain@ukw.de
Friday
Time: 12:00 h
Theme: AG Autoantibodies
Mentor: Prof. Dr. med. Kathrin. Doppler, MD
Information: If you want to be included in the mailing list, please send an e-mail to doppler_k@ukw.de
Contact
Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Claudia Sommer, MD
Speaker of the Clinical Research Unit KFO5001 ResolvePAIN
+49 931 201-23763
Univ.-Prof. Dr.
Heike Rittner, MD
Scientific Coordinator of the Clinical Research Unit KFO5001 ResolvePAIN
+49 931 201-30251