How to book a microscope in the NIC?
If you are already a registered user
You can book the system(s) you have been trained on directly via PPMS. Note that PPMS is only accessible within the university network — use VPN if connecting from outside.
Cancellations
Booked slots can be cancelled free of charge up to 48 hours in advance. After this window, normal usage fees apply unless the slot is taken by another user. We therefore strongly recommend cancelling any slot you are unable to use, freeing it up for other users.
Access to the MultiSpace Workstations
The same procedure as for microscope booking applies: under "Request", select "Workstation Access Request" and fill out the form.
Temperature Control and CO₂ Option
When booking with this option, one hour is automatically added before and after your slot at no charge. These extra hours are reserved strictly for heating up and cooling down the system — they may not be used for experiments. For example, a booking from 20:00 to 07:00 will display as 19:00–08:00 in the scheduler (added hours appear in a lighter colour). The user must arrive at 07:00 to remove their experiment and turn off the heating, ensuring the next user finds the microscope at room temperature.
If you are not yet a user of the Nikon Imaging Center
Start by asking your PI whether your group already has a NIC account, then follow the relevant steps below.
User Policy
During registration you will need to digitally sign and return the User Policy to NIC or Nicolas Dross within 30 days of account activation. Please wait for the account activation email before printing, as the document is automatically generated with all required information at that point. Manually filled User Policies can not be accepted.
Access to the MultiSpace Workstations
The same procedure as for microscope training applies: under "Request", select "Workstation Access Request" instead of "Microscopy Training Request" and fill out the form.
1. Your group is already registered
- Go to https://ppms.eu/uni-heidelberg/login/?pf=2, click "Account creation request" and fill out the form.
- Select your group from the "Group" list at the bottom of the page (note: groups are not listed alphabetically) and click "Submit form"
- Proceed to submit a training request under "While your request is awaiting validation", filling it out as completely as possible.
2. Your group is not yet registered
- Ask your PI to review the Pricelist.pdf and, if willing to bear the costs, fill out and email us Groups parameters.pdf from their own email account — this serves as confirmation that the PI accepts the costs.
- Once the group has been registered, follow the same steps as above to create your personal account and submit a training request. Requests where "My group is NOT in the list" is left as the selection will be deleted without notice.
- In both cases, we will contact you upon receiving your account and training request to schedule a training appointment.
Important information about training requests
Describe your upcoming experiment as specifically as possible — it should reflect what you are currently planning, not future experiments, for which you should submit separate requests. Omitting details may result in an unsuitable system being selected.
Why does my PI need to create a group account?
Since July 1, 2011, usage fees are charged for NIC systems. By requiring PIs to set up a group account themselves, it ensures they are aware of and willing to bear the associated costs. The NIC operates under the general user policy of Heidelberg University (German only); users must also sign the NIC User Policy (Einzelnutzungsvereinbarung) before being able to book sytems. Something unclear? Contact Nicolas Dross.
