Program Overview

Negotiation Skills for Scientists

Course Information

The course "Negiation Skills for Scientists" is scheduled to take place on:

• Monday, 9. März 2026, 09:00 Uhr bis 17:00 Uhr
• Dienstag, 10. März 2026, 09:00 Uhr bis 17:00 Uhr

Registration Details

• Anmeldebeginn: 21.01.2026, 09:00 Uhr
• Anmeldeschluss: 09.02.2026, 12:00 Uhr
• Kosten: This course is free of charge and for doctoral candidates and postdocs of the University of Basel only (min. 6, max. 12 participants).

Instructor

• Dozierende: Rob Thompson

Organizer

• Veranstaltet durch: Graduate Center, Transferable Skills

Objectives

The course aims to equip participants with essential negotiation skills, including:

• Persuading difficult people
• Using authority appropriately
• Negotiating win-win outcomes
• Resolving conflict and dealing with conflicting motivations
• Building confidence and being appropriately assertive

Course Content

The workshop will cover the following topics:

1. Goal setting techniques
2. How to persuade effectively
3. Building confidence and being appropriately assertive
4. When it is appropriate to use authority and creating a solution-focused attitude and environment
5. Dealing with conflicting motivations and resolving conflict
6. Dealing effectively with difficult people (The Red Liner Model of interpersonal interactions)
7. Ensuring clear communication and dealing with differing gender or cultural communication styles

Format

• The workshop will be a structured discussion forum to facilitate ideas and develop strategies.
• The workshop will be highly interactive, with participants expected to engage in discussions and activities.

Target Audience

• All Doctoral Candidates & Postdocs

Instructor Information

• Rob Thompson has over 12 years of experience helping groups in the public and private sectors to optimize their interpersonal relationships and group management.
• He has delivered workshops in many of Europe's most prestigious research institutes.

Workload

• Total of 17h (Preliminary work: 30 minute questionnaire (max. 1 hour), 16 hours course attendance)

Special Notes

• Should the covid-19 situation change and we are required to switch to an online format, the course will take place on 9, 10 & 11.03.2026, from 09:00-15:00.
• Once registration is open, applications will be collected for 24 hours and course places allocated by lot.
• Course places/places on the waiting list will be confirmed by e-mail.
• Full course attendance is mandatory.
• Participants who fail to attend a course without prior notification or withdraw after the registration deadline are subject to a fee of CHF 30.

Location

• Universitätsbibliothek Basel, GRACE room 306 (3rd floor) Schönbeinstrasse 18-20, 4056 Basel