Malmö University starts research school with MAX IV and eight other universities

The new intersectoral and interdisciplinary project called PRISMAS is a programme dedicated to the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Horizon Europe's essential research and innovation areas. The project will create a network of next-generation X-ray experts, enabling various stakeholders to take full advantage of world-leading synchrotron facilities such as MAX IV, located just outside of Malmö, while also tackling societal challenges at the same time.

The PRISMAS graduate school will bring together students from diverse scientific backgrounds that will use and develop synchrotron methods in their research, while acquiring the skills to tackle some of the most critical sustainability development goals and future societal challenges in their projects. It aims to develop solutions and innovations specifically dedicated to ’healthy people, healthy planet, clean energy, sustainable technologies, cultural and geological heritage, and accelerator science areas’.

The programme includes hands-on training in cutting-edge synchrotron skills that is applicable in various research areas at MAX IV combining practical experience with courses covering all aspects of synchrotron radiation to produce researchers who are experts in these methods.

"PRISMAS will create a vibrant and stimulating interdisciplinary environment for the students. The experience they gain from interaction and collaboration with such a diverse group of researchers will be extremely valuable when they finish the program and continue with their careers," explained Lindsay Merte, PRISMAS Director of Studies, Associate Professor at the Department of Materials Science and Applied Mathematics, Malmö University. 
 
The project is co-funded by the European Union’s Horizon Europe research and innovation programme’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Action Co-funding of regional, national, and international programmes.
 
"Since the programme is dedicated to UN Sustainable Development Goals and Horizon Europe's key research and innovation areas, we will see progress in addressing health, food, and energy issues. There is research on batteries and energy, development of new medicines, and much more. It will also help method and instrument development which the community needs," explained Marjolein Thunnissen, MAX IV Science Director, PRISMAS Program Director.