Since March 9, the Training Program in Quantitative Biology and Ecology is open for applications. The program has been organized by Serrapilheira and the South American Institute for Fundamental Research (ICTP-SAIFR). Applications will be accepted until the 3rd of May. Note that the first 500 applicants will have priority in the selection process, therefore we encourage applications to be submitted as soon as possible.

The new program will offer training free of charge in life sciences with a focus on the use of mathematics, physics and computer science. Selected applicants will learn about quantitative methods to address issues at the forefront of biology and ecology.

The training program is aimed at individuals who have completed a degree in any area. However, prior knowledge of differential and integral calculus and command of the English language are required. The first edition will be held online from July 5 to July 30, with morning and afternoon lectures from Monday to Friday. Participants must be available for full time dedication to the course during the whole period.

Up to 50 participants will be selected. Further information on the program, the 2021 call and the link for applications are available on the ICTP-SAIFR website. Feel free to send your questions to qbioprogram@ictp-saifr.org.

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Have you completed your doctoral degree? Apply to become a program mentor 

In addition to attending the lectures, participants will work in breakout groups on a research project under the supervision of a postdoctoral mentor. In this sense, 10 mentors will be selected to follow the projects developed in the program for the period of one month. The mentorship selection process will be held at the same time as the applicant participants selection process.

Mentors are entitled to a R$ 4,000 lumpsum and will have free access to all lectures and discussion sessions during the workshop.

Applicants must have completed their doctoral degrees in an area related to quantitative biology/ecology and be familiar with the main quantitative tools (statistics, differential and integral calculus). Command of the English language is also required. Applications for mentors and end on April 1st. For further information and applications, click here. 

Why cross-disciplinary biology and ecology?

Modern life sciences research generates a massive amount of complex data. Today, it is essential to break artificial limiting boundaries, so that young biologists are trained to use an equation as a mathematician or think as a physicist to understand complex biological systems such as a tropical ecosystem.

At the same time, given the sheer volumes of data produced in biology and ecology, many physicists are now migrating to these areas to apply the tools they have learned by studying complex systems.

To find out more, watch the two complete recorded webinars launching the program and featuring ecologist Simon Levin and immunologist Akiko Iwasaki, both world-renowned researchers in their fields. They are members of the Advisory Committee of the Training Program in Quantitative Biology and Ecology and contributed to designing the program.