The MARVEL 2026 Review and Retreat

by Francesca Olgiati, NCCR MARVEL

From 12 to 14 January, the NCCR MARVEL Review and Retreat took place in Grindelwald, bringing together around 120 participants, including group leaders, postdoctoral researchers, PhD students, and members of the scientific and industrial advisory boards. This final retreat offered an opportunity to share results, celebrate MARVEL’s achievements, and reflect on the legacy it will leave behind.

The retreat opened with an introductory talk by the director, Nicola Marzari, who looked back on MARVEL’s 12-year journey, highlighting its key accomplishments and lasting outcomes, and emphasising the importance of collaborative science and the long-term impact enabled by the NCCR. From there, the event was structured around the main projects, with each session dedicated to a single project. Professors introduced the sessions, followed by presentations from postdoctoral researchers and PhD students, creating a dynamic exchange of knowledge and ideas.

The first day focused on the projects “Design and Discovery of Novel Materials” and “Machine Learning Platform for Molecules and Materials” with sessions that showcased their key results. The day ended on a lighter note, as all participants gathered in the same room to enjoy a pub quiz organised by Edward Linscott, bringing a sense of fun and connection to the retreat.

On the second day, the session on “Digital Infrastructure of Open Simulations and Data“ opened the morning, followed by a Q&A with the Industrial Board and a legacy panel. During the discussion, the MARVEL Executive Committee reflected on how meaningful work and long-term values can only grow over time, something MARVEL was able to achieve over its 12 years. They spoke about the strong commitment to open science and, above all, about the importance of community, especially for junior researchers, made possible by the close connections between different groups and reinforced by events organised over the years, such as the MARVEL Junior Seminars. Particularly meaningful were the students’ reflections, which highlighted how easily connections were formed within MARVEL and how deeply it shaped both their work and their experience as researchers.

The afternoon featured a lively poster session, giving participants two hours to engage directly with the research of PhD students and postdocs. Another project session (Long-term Integration in the Swiss Scientific Landscape) followed, and the day concluded with participants gathering in the hotel lobby for informal and spontaneous activities and games.