How to book a microscope in the NIC?
If you are already a registered user, you may directly book the system(s) you've been trained on via PPMS. This is only possible within the university's network. If you want to log into PPMS from outside, please connect to the university's network via VPN.
If you are not yet a NIC user and you want to do microscopy with us, you need to create an account with the NIC and send a training request.Here's a description of the required steps:
Before you can create a personal account or request training through our User Management and Scheduling System (PPMS), your group must have a group account set up. This is because we have been required to charge user fees since July 1, 2011. By requiring the Principal Investigator (PI) to create a group account with the NIC herself/himself, it is clear that she/he is aware of the costs of using the NIC and is willing to pay them. So please contact your PI first and ask her/him whether your group is already registered with the NIC.
- If your group is already registered go to https://ppms.eu/uni-heidelberg/login/?pf=2, click "Account creation request" and fill out the form.
On the bottom of that page is a list named "Group". Look for your group (the groups are NOT listed alphabetically!) and click "Submit form".
Now continue and make a training request at "While your request is awaiting validation". Fill out the training request form as completely as possible and click on "submit request" on the bottom.
Please note: The training request should contain all the necessary information to understand what you want to do in your project. If you have multiple projects, do not summarize the information for them. In this case, it is best to fill out the training request for the project you want to start. Without a training request, we will not be able to see that there is pending training. - If your group is not yet registered, ask your PI whether she or he is willing to bear the costs (see Pricelist.pdf). Now your PI has to fill out the file Groups parameters.pdf and send it from her or his personal email account to us (this is the proof for us that the PI is willing to bear the costs).
Now go to https://ppms.eu/uni-heidelberg/login/?pf=2 and click "Account creation request". Fill out the form and click on the bottom of the page in the list named "Group" on "My group is NOT in the list" (first option). Next click "Submit form".
Your account is now set up but will only be activated by us once we have created your group after we received the "Groups parameters.pdf" from your PI. And only then will you be able to get a training on a microscope.
Nevertheless, you can continue and make a training request at "While your request is awaiting validation". Fill out the training request form as completely as possible and click on "submit request" on the bottom.
Please note: The training request should contain all the necessary information to understand what you want to do in your project. If you have multiple projects, do not summarize the information for them. In this case, it is best to fill out the training request for the project you want to start. Without a training request, we will not be able to see that there is pending training.
In both cases we will receive a message that there is a pending account- and training request and this allows us to contact you and schedule a training appointment.
If you have questions regarding PPMS please contact Nicolas Dross.
