Guidance, Skills & Opportunities for Researchers e.V. (GSO)

📣 Save the Date for April 1! GSO x HTW Berlin #Webinar – #HAW Professorships: A Practice-Oriented Career Path When planning your career, you may envision either a traditional university professorship or a less-defined role outside academia. But have you considered a path that blends both worlds? Germany’s Universities of Applied Sciences (Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften, HAWs) offer a unique career opportunity. As a professor at an HAW, you can design your teaching, bridge theory and practice, and inspire students in highly applied fields—all while engaging in research and industry collaborations. In our upcoming webinar, hosted in collaboration with Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin, one of Germany’s largest HAWs, we’ll break down common misconceptions and guide you through the formal requirements for pursuing an #HAW #professorship. We’ll discuss: ➡️ The opportunities and challenges of an HAW career ➡️ Whether the “triple qualification” (research, teaching, and professional experience) is truly a hurdle ➡️ What makes HAWs an exciting and viable option for postdocs and professionals ➡️ The selection process and what to expect ➡️ Strategies for a successful application Join Anne Schreiter, Ph.D. as she speaks with Prof. Dr. Helena Mihaljevic and Prof. Dr. Tine Lehmann, both experienced professors at HTW Berlin. ✅ Helena Mihaljević is a Professor of Data Science and Analytics with a background as a Senior Data Scientist in the private sector. Her expertise spans applied machine learning, transparency in algorithmic decision-making, and data-driven research with societal impact. ➡️ She’ll share insights on transitioning between industry and academia and what makes HAW professorships unique. ✅ Tine Lehmann, Professor of International Business and Study Programme Director, specializes in institutional development, SME internationalization, and business networks. ➡️ With extensive experience bridging research and real-world application, she’ll offer perspectives on career pathways, qualifications, and the opportunities that come with an HAW professorship. Join us as we exhibit what makes HAWs different and why they might just be the perfect fit for your next career step & feel free to share this post with anyone who might be interested! 📅When? April 1, 2025, 12:00.1.15 PM (CEST) 📝 Register here: https://lnkd.in/et_R89r6

Why Should Researchers Care About Storytelling? There’s a moment in every researcher’s life when they realize: explaining their work to someone outside their niche is painful. ✅ The data is solid. The findings are important. And yet, the breakthroughs are often delivered with all the precision of a lab report—clear, detailed, and easily overlooked. ➡️ That’s where storytelling comes in. And no, it’s not about dumbing things down. It’s about making ideas stick. On March 18, 2025 (10 AM–1 PM, CET), Young Entrepreneurs in Science is hosting a Storytelling Workshop designed for PhDs and Postdocs who want to sharpen the way they communicate their research. ➡️ Because if people don’t understand what you do, how will they care? ✔ Learn how to frame your research like a Hero’s Journey—because your work is more than a list of findings; it’s a story worth telling. ✔ Get real feedback from experts and fellow researchers who are tired of science being locked behind jargon. ✔ Build a skill that isn’t just useful for TED Talks - grant proposals, pitches, interviews, collaborations all depend on clarity. Science is complicated. Communication doesn’t have to be. Who? PhDs & Postdocs, Early-Career Researchers and Academic Staff from all disciplines When? March 18, 2025, 10 AM–1 PM (CET) 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵 𝟭𝟱: https://lnkd.in/ecuCA7SR

Who Gets to Be a Professor? A Global Look at Academic Promotion As Michael Backes puts it: Getting published in Nature about your research is great - but collaborating with colleagues from across disciplines and continents to challenge how academic careers are assessed? That’s next level. Michael, our Leadership Academy alumnus, is part of the Global Young Academy Scientific Excellence WG that examined who gets promoted to full professor across 121 countries. ➡️ Their study, published in Nature Portfolio, reveals that in policies affecting around three-quarters of researchers worldwide, citation counts aren’t even explicitly mentioned as a factor in academic promotion. Instead, career paths are shaped by national and institutional policies that often reinforce rigid expectations rather than embracing the diversity of research careers. ✅ Here are some results: ➡️ Research output? 97% of policies assess it, but many rely on publication counts rather than deeper qualitative evaluation. ➡️ Teaching & mentoring? Teaching is included in 93% of cases, but mentoring - despite its importance in shaping future researchers - is considered in 75% of policies. ➡️ National vs. institutional differences? National policies lean more on metrics and journal indexing, while universities often consider mentoring, interdisciplinary work, and broader contributions. ➡️ Studies show that higher-income countries often prioritize qualitative measures like visibility and engagement, whereas many lower- and middle-income countries rely more on citation-based metrics—potentially reinforcing systemic inequities. Why does this matter? Academia is built on the idea of excellence, but this study highlights how promotion criteria don’t always reflect what makes a great researcher. Instead, rigid expectations, outdated metrics, and regional disparities shape careers in ways that may not actually serve research or society. 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eV9fFgf2 Major kudos to all the co-authors! ❓ Who gets recognized, who gets promoted, and how do we define success in academia? What’s your take - should academic promotion criteria be more flexible?

Virtual Coffee Break on Neurodiversity & Leadership Our Leadership Academy alumna, Dr. Judith B. Rommel is on AlumNode, for a conversation that matters. Neurodiversity—including autism, ADHD, dyslexia, and more—is a reality in every workplace, but are we designing spaces where all minds can thrive? ✅ In this virtual coffee break, Judith will explore how leadership can support neurodivergent individuals, from small shifts in office culture to big-picture strategies. Join us on March 20 at 4 PM CET and be part of the conversation! When: Thursday, March 20, 4:00 – 5:00 pm (CET) via Zoom Register here: https://lnkd.in/euCzpgE5 To complete the registration process, be sure to log in to your AlumNode account. We look forward to hearing your thoughts and experiences on neurodiversity in leadership!

📣 International Women’s Day Was Saturday! Let’s Keep the Momentum Going: Opportunities & Programs supporting women in Science Today, the 69th UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) begins in New York, bringing together governments, civil society, and activists. ➡️ This year marks a milestone: 30 years since the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, a 𝗴𝗹𝗼𝗯𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆. One of its 12 key areas of concern? ✅ Women in science. The goal was clear—full and equal participation in STEM and technology. Three decades later, progress is undeniable, but so are the challenges. Women remain underrepresented in leadership, funding disparities persist, and recognition often arrives too late—or not at all. ❓ How do we ensure real, lasting change for women in science? ✅ Here are 4 opportunities supporting women in STEM and human rights—open for applications: ➡️ Nature Awards for Inspiring Women in Science – For women driving change in STEM. $50,000 & global recognition. Apply by April 9, 2025: https://lnkd.in/dcNZV7JS Springer Nature ➡️ Lise Meitner Excellence Program – For outstanding female scientists establishing research groups. Apply by April 8, 2025: https://lnkd.in/eTst38J Max Planck Society ➡️ Women in Entrepreneurship Program – Hybrid program (May–June online, Sept 1–5 in person), helping researchers gain business & presentation skills. Applications are open until 100 slots are filled: https://lnkd.in/g73SqjsN German Center for Research and Innovation (DWIH) San Francisco ➡️WILDCARD! NCHR Intensive Course in Human Rights – Professional development in Oslo (Sept 1–5, 2025). Stipends available. Apply by April 1, 2025: https://lnkd.in/gzjjsvj2 Norwegian Centre for Human Rights, Universitetet i Oslo (UiO) 🔎 Bias in Science—And in AI Gender bias isn’t just a historical issue—it shapes the future, too. AI models trained on incomplete or biased data reproduce the same exclusion patterns we’ve spent decades trying to correct. ➡️ The Bias-Free AI Prompt Checker is a tool designed to refine AI interactions, ensuring fairer, more accurate results. Because if we want technology to be part of the solution, we need to be intentional about how we build it: https://lnkd.in/e43AVGWg Tech to Work Who Would You Nominate? Progress happens when we recognize and uplift those making a difference. ❓ Who in your team, network, or community is driving change for women in science, research, or technology? Tag them and celebrate their contributions!

🔍 Power Abuse in Academia: Responses and Prevention Power imbalances, lack of transparency, and limited accountability—these structural issues in academia can enable unethical behavior, from bullying to exploitation. But how can we address these challenges effectively? Join us for a Lunch Talk with Prof. Daniel Leising (TU Dresden) as we explore how power abuse manifests in academic settings, what emergency responses are available, and what reforms are needed to foster a healthier research culture. Prof. Leising is also a supporting member of Germany's Network against Power Abuse in Science (MaWi), an excellent resource if you’d like to read further on this topic ⬇️ 📅 Date: 26 March ⏰ Time: 1–2 PM 📍 Location: Zoom This is an opportunity to discuss a critical but often taboo topic. Let's work together to build a more supportive and transparent academic environment. 💡 Sign up, bring your questions, and be part of the conversation! #ResearchCulture #Academia #PostdocLife

Exploring career paths - also beyond academia? Let’s make it easier. The job market outside academia can feel like a black box: 🔹 cryptic job titles 🔹 unclear expectations 🔹 and an overwhelming number of options. That’s where our #TopPicks come in. Every month, we handpick job openings for researchers considering careers in business, non-profits, or science-related fields. ✅ Our goal? To demystify the job market and help you figure out what roles actually fit your skills. With our curated job list, you’ll: ➡️ Spot the right keywords for sectors that interest you ➡️ Decode puzzling job titles and descriptions ➡️ See which organizations hire researchers with PhDs ➡️ Identify transferable skills that set you apart This month’s selection includes: Project Coordination at Robert Koch Institute, Program Manager at Freie Universität Berlin, Senior Project Manager at Robert Bosch Stiftung, Research Associate - “Diamond Open Access Service Center" at Fachhochschule Potsdam, Project Manager for Rivers at NABU e.V., Project Manager Culture and International Affairs studierendenWERK BERLIN A.d.ö.R. and much more! Check our curated list here: https://lnkd.in/dVAjEcF #GSO #TopPicks #PhDCareers

📣 For GSO Alumni: A Conversation with Yael Tauman Kalai on Cryptography and Career Paths Some career insights you can’t get from a CV. Yael Tauman Kalai, 2022 ACM Prize in Computing laureate, has shaped modern cryptography with her work on verifiable computation, zero-knowledge proofs, and quantum security. ➡️ But how did she navigate the key moments that shaped her path? ✅ This HLFF Inspiring Minds Talk will be a conversation about cryptography, and the decisions, challenges, and opportunities that define a research career. Join the conversation to hear from someone who has built an impactful career at the intersection of theory and application. 🔹 March 13, 2025, from 5–6 PM CET (UTC+1) ✅ How she made career-defining choices ✅ The obstacles she faced along the way ✅ Where cryptographic research is headed next 📍 Meeting Access via AlumNode Login: https://lnkd.in/eDBZ8MHS

📣 𝗚𝗦𝗢 𝗥𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 - 𝗟𝗲𝘁'𝘀 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗱! The rebranding is no longer just an announcement - we’re officially online! For over 20 years, GSO has been committed to shaping career paths for researchers - both in academia and beyond. As our focus and audience have evolved, we’ve expanded our services to a broader, more international community. We’ve been offering much more than just programs for German scholars for years - now, our name reflects our true impact.   ➡️ Learn more about our journey here: https://lnkd.in/er8rhdpg 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘀. 𝗧𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝘄𝗵𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗸 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝘁𝗼𝘀 - 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗺𝗻𝗶, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝗺𝗮𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗻 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆.   In the group photo you see our Leadership Academy 7 alumni during a Tape Art workshop: ➡️ Ahmed Tijani Salawudeen is a Grid Code Compliance Engineer at Nordex Group, with expertise in control systems, renewable energy and power systems. In his postdoc at RWTH Aachen University, he addressed the challenges of sustainable energy. ➡️ Claudia Böhm is a Junior Professor for Neuropsychiatry at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and leading a research group investigating how early-life stress affects neural networks and impacts on health. ➡️ Frederic Roemschied, Research Group Leader at the European Neuroscience Institute Göttingen (ENI-G), investigating how neural circuits govern social behavior, particularly using Drosophila. He is also a KT Boost Fund Fellow! ➡️ 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻 𝗞𝗮𝗹𝗯, Associate Professor of History at Bridgewater College is researching on environmental, colonial, and African history, particularly in the context of Modern Germany. His recent monograph, "Environing Empire" provides an environmental history of Germany's colonial endeavors in Namibia. ➡️ Maria-Elena Vorrath, pictured in the lab in the other photo, is a geoscientist and postdoctoral researcher at Universität Hamburg. As a Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellow, she leads the Rockchar & Superchar project, which combines biological waste and mineral industrial byproducts to produce biochar - to enhance soil quality and sequester atmospheric CO₂. If you’ve ever been part of GSO - through a program, an event, or simply as part of the research community - this change is for you, too. The best way to support our mission is to make sure the people who need us know we’re here. ✅ 𝗦𝗼 𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝘀𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗼𝗻 - 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲, 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝗚𝗦𝗢 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗻𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗮𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗼 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘂𝘀. #GSO #Guidance #Skills #Opportunities #Careers #GSOLA #KTBoostFund

📣 Wildcard! HIAS Fellowship Applications Open for 2026/27 - Time, Space, and Freedom for Research What happens when researchers and cultural professionals are given the space to think, create, and collaborate—without the usual constraints of funding deadlines, teaching loads, or institutional obligations? The HIAS - Hamburg Institute for Advanced Study answers that question. The call for applications for the 2026/27 academic year is now open. HIAS offers individual fellowships (3–10 months) in Hamburg to outstanding scholars, artists, and cultural professionals from around the world. ➡️ The goal: ✅ to bring together a #diverse, #interdisciplinary group of fellows ✅ who engage deeply with their own work ✅ while connecting with a broader academic and cultural #community. Who can apply? 🔹 Researchers from all disciplines, from postdoc level onward. 🔹 Artists and cultural professionals with an internationally visible profile. 🔹 Applicants who demonstrate creativity, originality, and a willingness to contribute to a collaborative intellectual environment. ✅ Fellows will have the freedom to focus entirely on their projects while benefiting from a stimulating network of scholars and artists. Public engagement is also part of the experience—through lectures, discussions, and events that connect the HIAS community with the city of Hamburg. 📅 Application Deadline: March 31, 2025 🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/d_kN3Jfs A chance to step away from the daily academic grind and immerse yourself in research or artistic work!