ICGEB Soft Skills Training Programme

As part of its training offer, ICGEB aims to provide comprehensive scientific training, encompassing both hard and soft skills. The global R&I landscape is rapidly evolving in the twenty-first century, requiring scientists to adapt to different contexts, demonstrate versatility, and possess a set of soft skills to help realise their full potential. Soft skills include self-development, human, and transferable skills to be added to one’s scientific expertise.

ICGEB offers training programmes in soft skills to support and strengthen scientists’ research. From Communication to Critical thinking, Adaptability to Leadership, soft skills can facilitate decision-making, solve complex problems, and provide the edge to push the success of your science further.

SUPPORTING TRAINING AND EDUCATION

The soft skills training programme is designed to complement the technical and scientific expertise of researchers in the life sciences by providing structured development in interpersonal, communication, and leadership skills. The programme supports the broader educational mission of the research center by fostering collaborative, interdisciplinary research environments and equipping early-career and more senior researchers alike with competencies essential for academic and professional success.

Training modules are aligned with the Centre’s educational strategy, offering opportunities for doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, senior researchers to enhance their effectiveness in areas such as grant writing, scientific communication, IP, entrepreneurship in Life Sciences etc. The programme ensures that participants are well-prepared not only to succeed in their current roles but also to transition smoothly into leadership, industry, or collaborative global initiatives.

ADVANTAGES

Career Readiness: Soft skills are increasingly valued in both academia and industry. Training prepares participants for a variety of professional environments.

Stronger Scientific Impact: Researchers trained in storytelling, public speaking, and stakeholder engagement can better disseminate their findings to diverse audiences.

Fundraising & Grant Success: Training in grant writing and pitching enhances the ability to secure external funding will provide valuable insights into how to write compelling grant proposals, navigate funding landscapes, and pitch your ideas effectively to both public and private sector stakeholders.

Programme

In 2026, ICGEB is happy to offer to its researchers the following training opportunities:

• Intellectual Property & Technology Transfer 
  18 March 2026 // 12.00-13.30 (ITALY TIME) online course
  Speaker: Elena Benedetti 
  An overview of how intellectual property underpins technology transfer, focusing on the identification, protection, and strategic management of research outputs. This short course examines patents, licensing mechanisms, and collaboration frameworks. It provides practical insight into transforming scientific results into transferable assets that enable partnerships, commercialization, and measurable impact.
  
• Value chain and business models 
  12 June 2026 // 13.00-14.30 (ITALY TIME) online course
  Speaker: Elena Benedetti 
  An introduction to value creation in biotechnology and life sciences, analysing how innovations move from discovery to market through complex value chains. This short course explores business model design, stakeholder roles, cost and revenue structures, and partnership strategies. Emphasis is placed on aligning scientific development with market needs, enabling researchers to position technologies within viable, scalable, and investment-ready frameworks.
  
• Beyond the Lab: Emotional Intelligence & Communication Skills for Scientists
  Coming in Summer 2026 – 3 online sessions – 2 hours each
  Speaker: Maria Gabriella La Porta, Professional Certified Coach ICF e trainer, Dedicated to the development and dissemination of Positive Organizations and Leaders
  Session 1 – Personal Styles and communications Science: Making Complexity Understandable
  Session 2 – Emotional Intelligence: Self-Awareness and Personal Wellbeing
  Session 3 – Communication and wellbeing: Listening, Feedback, and Team Dynamics