11-13 September 2026
PhD Training Course
Organisers: European Calcified Tissue Society
Date: 11-13 September 2026
Venue: Manchester Metropolitan University, Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6BH
Registration deadline: 3 September 2026.
To register, you will need a MyECTS account. Before creating a new account, please check if you don’t have one already (linked to ECTS 2025 abstract submission or registration, membership). If you don’t know your password or are not sure if you already have an account, you can follow the “Forgot Password” steps.
Description
This prestigious PhD Training Course, aimed at promoting general knowledge of bone research to young investigators, is now in its 19th year and has been hailed as one of the most innovative and successful courses in the bone field.
The course programme incorporates interactive teaching sessions on a variety of topics with a primary focus on basic science, but with additional clinical context. An example of the topics likely to be included in the programme is provided below. Another important aspect of the course is the opportunity for students to network and obtain feedback on their project. Student will present and discuss their work with peers and Faculty members through poster and short oral presentations of their PhD project. Networking and mentoring sessions with Faculty members also provide opportunities for career development. The course has been of immense value to previous participants, and the networks that form during these events will help to sustain the musculoskeletal field in Europe into the future.
Aims & learning outcomes
- To promote an integrative, multi-scale knowledge of bone biology from molecular and cellular mechanisms to micro and macrostructure, biomechanics and clinical context
- To build knowledge of state-of-the-art technologies across bone research from whole-bone imaging to omics approaches
- To promote networking between European PhD students in the bone field
At the end of the course, the PhD student should have:
- Developed an understanding of basic bone biology and metabolism
- Increased their knowledge of cutting-edge technologies used in areas such as imaging, histology, biomechanical testing, biochemical and cellular assays, genetics and omics
- Developed their ability to present and critically appraise research
- Expanded their international network of peers and senior researchers
Key Topics include:
- Osteocytes, osteoblasts and osteoclasts
- Bone mechanics
- Bone development and growth
- Bone tissue engineering
- Bone biomarkers
- Imaging
- Cross-talk with other tissues
- Animal models
- Bone-specific clinical conditions
- Cancer and bone
- Career advice and mentoring
- Interactive lectures (Meet The Expert)
Registration is now open
Registration deadline: 3 September 2026
for availability after 3 September please contact us at: dorota.doszko@ectsoc.org
Registration fees:
- 650€ for ECTS Members, including meals and accommodation (2 nights)
- 950€ for non members, including meals and accommodation (2 nights)
- 370€ Reach-the-World Fee for participants from Central Eastern Europe including meals and accommodation (2 nights)
Places are available on a first-come-basis.
Please note depending on the number of particpants, rooms can be shared (double rooms). Accomodation before or after the event is not covered by registration fee. To check availability please contact us at registrations@ectsoc.org
Registration fees includes:
- Attendance to all sessions
- Event App
- Certificate of attendance
- Accommodation at the venue (2 nights, 7-9 November)
- Breakfasts, Lunches & Coffee Breaks
- Networking dinners
This Training Course is particularly designed for international PhD Students (all years), but is also open to New Investigators and Trainees.
All students will be required to prepare a short oral and poster presentation. After registration, the organizers will inform students on the preparation method.
With the exception of the introductory presentations, the course changes every year. You can therefore attend multiple times the PhD Training Course.
Terms & Conditions
Full payment is required when registering on the course.
Cancellation and insurance
In any event beyond ECTS control, including war, strikes, lockouts, riots and other civil disturbances, nature events such as earthquakes, floods and droughts, virus outbreaks and any other causes or circumstance of whatsoever nature beyond its control that have an impact on the arrangements, timetables or planning of the meeting, ECTS and/or its agents have the right to immediately alter or cancel the meeting or any of the arrangements, timetables, plans or other items relating directly or indirectly to the meeting. The participants shall not be entitled to any compensation for damages that result from such alteration or cancellation. The liability of the organisers will be limited to the refund and they will not be liable for any other losses incurred.
In addition, the organisers shall not be held liable for any personal accidents, illness, losses or damage to private property of delegates registered for the course. Delegates are therefore advised to take out their own comprehensive insurance.
Any cancellation must be made in writing and sent to dorota.doszko@ectsoc.org. For cancellations received by 15 August 2026, fees will be refunded less an administration fee of €30.00. No refunds will be made after this date.
Photographs and videos
Please be aware that pictures and/or videos may be taken at ECTS meetings. These may be published in ECTS newsletters, promotional material, social media pages, ECTS websites, or other publications. If you do not want to be photographed or filmed, please let the organisers know at the meeting or by sending an email.
Venue
Contact Details
Oxford Road, Manchester M15 6BH
Phone: + 44 (0) 161 247 1324
Distance from Manchester city centre: 1 mile/1.6km
The Manchester Campus is made up of two campus areas, Birley and All Saints. To work out which part of the campus you are visiting use the campus map.
Travelling to the Manchester Campus
On foot
Manchester city centre is easily accessible from our campus. To plan your route around the city, try using the pedestrian route planning tool WalkIt.
On a bike
Information about cycling in Manchester can be found on the TfGM website, along with their active travel journey planning tool.
There are many cycle parking spaces around the University campuses that are suitable for visitors. Please make sure you securely lock your bike to a stand.
By train
Manchester Oxford Road Railway Station
The All Saints area of the Manchester campus is just a five minute walk from Oxford Road Station. There are regular regional trains from Oxford Road and the station is operated by Northern Rail.
Manchester Piccadilly Railway Station
Piccadilly Station is connected to local, regional and national rail services and via the West Coast Mainline.
You can walk to our campus in 15-20 minutes from Piccadilly Station. Alternatively, take the 147 bus to Oxford Road. The 147 bus runs every 10-15 minutes throughout the working day.
Deansgate Railway Station
Deansgate is the closest station to Birley and provides access to local rail services on the Manchester-Liverpool route.
Manchester Victoria Railway Station
Victoria Station is on the northern side of the city centre.
You can walk to Manchester Victoria in 25-30 minutes, or cycle in 10 minutes. Alternatively, you can take the free Metroshuttle Service 2 (Green Line) from Victoria Station Approach (Stop Ny) and disembark at Whitworth Street. The Metroshuttle services run every 10 minutes during the day.
By Metrolink
All Saints is a 5-10 minute walk from the St Peters Square tram stop.
The nearest Metrolink station to Birley is Deansgate-Castlefield, approximately a 10 minute walk.
By bus
The All Saints area of the campus is on Oxford Road, traditionally one of the busiest bus corridors in Europe. There are good links to south Manchester and the city centre, including direct services to Piccadilly Gardens and Piccadilly Station.
Birley is also connected to the city centre by a number of frequent bus services, and is linked to All Saints and the city centre by service 86.
To plan you public transport journey, please use the TfGM journey planning portal.
- 147 bus timetable – the 147 Oxford Road Link service is the cheapest and greenest bus in the city and is an electric hybrid. From Manchester Piccadilly train station, the bus stops by the campus on Oxford Road.
- 86 bus timetable – from Piccadilly Gardens, the number 86 bus to Chorlton goes to the Birley site (Brooks building) every 10 minutes.
By car
There are limited car parking facilities at the Manchester Campus. Whenever possible, please use sustainable travel such as public transport, walking or cycling to access our campus. Visitor car parking is only available by prior arrangement via your host.
Please see an online map of our Manchester Visitor Car Parks.
Sat Nav
To use the visitor car park at All Saints campus, please use the postcode M1 5GF or follow this link. The visitor car park is beneath Mancunian Way, next to Oxford Road.
To use the visitor car park at Birley, please use the postcode M15 5RN or follow this link. The visitor car park is the surface car park adjacent to the building.
Payment
Please note you may have to pay and display as a visitor in the car park. Our machines take exact change only, and are coin operated. Your pay and display ticket must be displayed along with a valid visitor parking permit. You will need to collect your permit from either All Saints or Birley reception desks.
Off Site Car Parks
If you have to drive for your visit, but cannot get a space at the University, there are parking facilities nearby: Car Parks within walkable distance of Manchester campus
Cars are not permitted to be left overnight. Anyone wishing to park overnight should use publicly available multi-storey car parking facilities in the area.
Organisers
Björn Busse
ECTS Education Committee Chair
Carmen Huesa
Organising Committee
Carolina Medina-Gomez
Organising Committee
Katharina Jähn-Rickert
Organising Committee
Jelena Jadzic
Organising Committee
Karan Shah
Organising Committee
Alex Ireland
Local Organising Committee
Registration details
Registration details
Registrations will open in March 2021 and more details will be available in due course. Places are available on a first-come basis.
PhD students will be required to prepare either a short oral or poster presentation. After registration, the organizers will inform students on their presentation method.
Registration fees:
- 150€ for ECTS and GEMSTONE Members
- 75€ for members resident in a Country with Developing Economy (low-income and lower-middle-income, as defined by the World Bank, as per June 2019)
- 450€ for non members
- 250€ for non members resident in a Country with Developing Economy (low-income and lower-middle-income, as defined by the World Bank, as per June 2019)
This Digital Masterclass is particularly designed for international PhD Students (all years), but is also open to New Investigators and Trainees.
Terms & Conditions
Full payment is required when registering on the course.
Cancellation and insurance
In any event beyond ECTS control, including war, strikes, lockouts, riots and other civil disturbances, nature events such as earthquakes, floods and droughts, virus outbreaks and any other causes or circumstance of whatsoever nature beyond its control that have an impact on the arrangements, timetables or planning of the meeting, ECTS and/or its agents have the right to immediately alter or cancel the meeting or any of the arrangements, timetables, plans or other items relating directly or indirectly to the meeting. The participants shall not be entitled to any compensation for damages that result from such alteration or cancellation. The liability of the organisers will be limited to the refund and they will not be liable for any other losses incurred.
In addition, the organisers shall not be held liable for any personal accidents, illness, losses or damage to private property of delegates registered for the course. Delegates are therefore advised to take out their own comprehensive insurance.
Any cancellation must be made in writing and sent to dorota.doszko@ectsoc.org. For cancellations received by 25 June 2021, fees will be refunded less an administration fee of €25.00. No refunds will be made after this date.
Photographs and videos
Please be aware that pictures and/or videos may be taken at ECTS meetings. These may be published in ECTS newsletters, promotional material, social media pages, ECTS websites, or other publications. If you do not want to be photographed or filmed, please let the organisers know at the meeting or by sending an email.
Registrations will open in March 2021 and more details will be available in due course. Places are available on a first-come basis.
PhD students will be required to prepare either a short oral or poster presentation. After registration, the organizers will inform students on their presentation method.
Registration fees:
- 150€ for ECTS and GEMSTONE Members
- 75€ for members resident in a Country with Developing Economy (low-income and lower-middle-income, as defined by the World Bank, as per June 2019)
- 450€ for non members
- 250€ for non members resident in a Country with Developing Economy (low-income and lower-middle-income, as defined by the World Bank, as per June 2019)
This Digital Masterclass is particularly designed for international PhD Students (all years), but is also open to New Investigators and Trainees.
Terms & Conditions
Full payment is required when registering on the course.
Cancellation and insurance
In any event beyond ECTS control, including war, strikes, lockouts, riots and other civil disturbances, nature events such as earthquakes, floods and droughts, virus outbreaks and any other causes or circumstance of whatsoever nature beyond its control that have an impact on the arrangements, timetables or planning of the meeting, ECTS and/or its agents have the right to immediately alter or cancel the meeting or any of the arrangements, timetables, plans or other items relating directly or indirectly to the meeting. The participants shall not be entitled to any compensation for damages that result from such alteration or cancellation. The liability of the organisers will be limited to the refund and they will not be liable for any other losses incurred.
In addition, the organisers shall not be held liable for any personal accidents, illness, losses or damage to private property of delegates registered for the course. Delegates are therefore advised to take out their own comprehensive insurance.
Any cancellation must be made in writing and sent to dorota.doszko@ectsoc.org. For cancellations received by 25 June 2021, fees will be refunded less an administration fee of €25.00. No refunds will be made after this date.
Photographs and videos
Please be aware that pictures and/or videos may be taken at ECTS meetings. These may be published in ECTS newsletters, promotional material, social media pages, ECTS websites, or other publications. If you do not want to be photographed or filmed, please let the organisers know at the meeting or by sending an email.
Programme Highlights
Our Sponsors:
We thank our sponsors for their support. The event was sponsored by the following companies on the form of a direct or undirect financial support. The scientific programme has not been influenced in any way by its sponsors.
