Between June 30 and July 4, Agata Chotera-Ouda from the International Centre for Research on Innovative Biobased Materials (ICRI-BioM), Lodz University of Technology, Poland, completed a training stay at the ALBA Synchrotron in Barcelona. Her training focused mainly on the NCD-SWEET beamline, where she was introduced to advanced X-ray scattering techniques such as GISAXS and GIWAXS, directly relevant to her ongoing work on organic thin films. She also briefly explored the MIRAS beamline to learn about FTIR spectroscopy and microscopy.
“Honestly, approaching a synchrotron facility as a post-doc without prior experience in synchrotron research would have felt quite intimidating. Being part of a small research group with no background in this area, we lacked the knowledge of how to apply for beamtime, what types of measurements are possible, and how to properly design and schedule experiments. The NEPHEWS initiative has significantly helped me understand this process and the wide range of possibilities that synchrotron facilities, like ALBA, offer for my research.”
In addition to hands-on experience, the stay facilitated meaningful interactions with beamline scientists and support staff. Working closely with experts not only deepened her technical knowledge but also laid the groundwork for potential future collaborations.
„I genuinely enjoyed every part of the experience, but if I had to highlight one aspect, it would be the opportunity to measure my own samples while receiving insightful guidance from the beamline scientist Dr. Eduardo Solano. His explanations helped me better understand the behavior of my samples and gave context to the data we collected, which largely confirmed our earlier microscopy-based observations. This hands-on experience gave me a clearer picture of how the beamline operates, how to plan and conduct measurements, and how to begin interpreting the results.„
The impact of this experience will extend beyond Agata’s individual research:
“Incorporating synchrotron methods strengthens the scientific impact of my work, contributing to better results, stronger publications, and greater competitiveness in securing research funding. Beyond my individual benefit, this experience is also valuable for my entire research group. The techniques I’ve become familiar with can be applied to different areas of our studies, encouraging us to think more ambitiously and design experiments that take advantage of these powerful tools.”
Looking ahead, Agata and her team are preparing a beamtime proposal for ALBA while also considering complementary opportunities at SOLARIS Synchrotron in Kraków, Poland. The skills and knowledge gained will support both her personal career development and the advancement of her research group’s activities.
Finally, she warmly recommended this opportunity to others:
“It was an incredible week, extremely valuable not only for the scientific knowledge and skills I gained, but also for the opportunity to connect with experts and staff at the synchrotron. I would highly recommend this experience to any colleague interested in advancing their research and building useful professional networks. Everything was so well-organized and valuable. I had an amazing experience. The program was not only scientifically enriching but also very welcoming and supportive. I truly appreciate the effort and dedication of everyone involved, from the organizers to the beamline scientists. Thank you for creating such a unique opportunity for young researchers like me. It was a great and highly motivating experience.”
Eduardo Solano, Bárbara Machado Calisto and Agata Chotera-Ouda
The NEPHEWS training week at ALBA demonstrated once again the strong impact such opportunities can have on young researchers, equipping them with new skills, research tools, and international connections that strengthen both individual careers and collaborative European science.