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

From Pain Points to Action — Even in the Summer Heat At our recent #GSO Rebranding Event, we welcomed representatives from #universities, #research #institutions, #foundations, #funding bodies, and #companies to ask a tough question: 👉 What can institutions and individuals actually do — despite structural barriers in academia (and soaring summer temperatures)? 👉 We centered the day around four core theses that sparked open, honest conversations — not just about familiar challenges, but about concrete, people-focused solutions. ✅ This wasn’t your average panel event. It was also a space for informal exchange, fresh perspectives, and connection-building across institutional roles and sectors. Key Topics that (Still) Define the Academic Landscape: • #Leadership, #Recruiting & #Retention • Professionalization of #ResearchManagement and #Administration • #Internationalization and Structural #Equity • A Shared Desire for Sustainable Change 🔁 While these challenges aren’t new, the sense of urgency around moving from discussion to implementation was stronger than ever. And yet, as many participants highlighted, change doesn’t always require sweeping reforms. Sometimes, the most powerful shifts start small: ✅ Onboarding packages for new researchers ✅ Supervision or coaching for research group leaders ✅ Recognition of excellent leadership at institutional level ✅ Tailored retention offers for international researchers ✅ Dialogue formats that bring together researchers & administrators We left energized, thoughtful — and connected. Let’s keep the momentum going. 👉 More about our rebranding in the first comment.

📣 Open Call | Tenure‑Track Professorship Funding ( up to €1.2 M ) by Wübben Stiftung Wissenschaft – deadlines: September 30, 2025 & March 31, 2026! Looking to bring an outstanding early‑career professor back to Germany — or finally convince that brilliant colleague abroad to say yes? The new Tenure‑Track Professorship program co‑funds the first years of a TT appointment and covers onboarding, dual‑career, lab set‑up and more. ➡️ Why this matters ✅ Global search, local impact. 50 % foundation funding (up to €1 M / €1.2 M for 5 / 6‑year tracks) helps universities compete internationally. ✅ Real onboarding money. Relocation, language, mentoring, partner career support — costs that too often derail a hire can now be budgeted from day 1. ✅ Discretionary research funds. 10 % of the grant goes straight to the professor for fast pilot data, conference travel, or that first game‑changing hire. ➡️ Quick facts Who applies? German universities (one application per call) Who qualifies? Researchers with a PhD, ≥ 3 yrs abroad, ranked among the top in their field; offer must not be accepted yet Funding split? Foundation finances the first half of the TT phase; university matches €€ and covers the second half Uses? Staff, equipment, onboarding, dual career, relocation, coaching Decision time? ≤ 6 months after the deadline Programme page & full FAQs - check the link in the first comment! Questions? Contact the foundation early to pre‑check eligibility. Tip: Wübben also runs an Advanced Professorship line (R3 level) — same co‑funding logic, tailored to senior hires. Save the dates 30 Sep 2025 – first application deadline 31 Mar 2026 – second round

🔎 Fifteen Bold Ideas. One Boost for Each: Meet the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellows 2025 Three Questions to… Cipriana Anghel-Stan Mathematician at the Georg-August-Universität Göttingen How does a geometric space change when it collapses — and what kind of “music” does it make? Cipriana explores these questions at the intersection of geometry, analysis, and mathematical physics. With this series, we’re introducing all #fifteen #KTBoost2025 fellows — early-career researchers with #bold #ideas, #sharp #questions, and the drive to #shape their #fields. The Klaus Tschira Boost Fund gives them the #time, #freedom, and #resources to pursue new directions, take risks, and grow as leaders in science. ❓ What's your #ProjectIdea? ➡️ We consider a compact Riemannian surface X, for example, the surface of a donut. A geodesic on X is a curve which minimizes the distance between any two close points which lie on it. We choose such a simple closed curve and gradually pinch it, making its length shrink to zero. We add another “layer” over X, an infinite normal covering space, and proceed to pinch all the preimages of our geodesic in this upper space. ✅ Our aim is to study the “#music” generated during this process, which can be described mathematically by the von Neumann trace of the Dirac operator acting on the covering space. ❓ How does the #KTBoostFund #support you and your #projectidea? ➡️ The fund gives me independence. It provides me with the necessary time to develop new mathematical tools and work on the riskier projects described in my research proposal. It gives me the opportunity to travel for research visits in Germany and abroad, promoting my work in mathematical events while meeting new collaborators, as well as organizing a tailored conference to bring together the latest advances in the topics which passionate me. ❓ If I had more #time for things #otherthanresearch, I … …would plan more hiking and mountain biking trips with my friends, restart writing on my #personalblog about these adventures, and I would play the piano more often. 📣 Stay tuned — in the coming weeks, we’ll introduce all fifteen KT Boost Fund 2025 fellows. Each of them brings a unique perspective and ambitious project to the table! _______________________ 🚀The Klaus Tschira Boost Fund is a joint program by GSO and Klaus Tschira Stiftung offering flexible funding and career development to promote researchers in the Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Computer Science. The Call 2026 is open until October 1, 2025, 23:59 (CEST). #BoostFellows #KTBoostFund

Abuse of power in academia isn’t an isolated problem — it’s structural, systemic, and, too often, invisible until it’s too late. In the Berlin Science Survey, nearly one in four researchers reported experiencing power abuse. The numbers are even higher for #women, #LGBTIQ+ researchers, and scholars with chronic #illnesses or from #minoritized backgrounds. According to the report, abuse of power is most prevalent in workplaces shaped by intense #competition and #lowcooperation. In contrast, cooperative environments with transparent communication and reduced pressure to perform were far less likely to foster abuse or discrimination. ➡️ This emphasizes that quality assurance in academia shouldn’t only focus on output — but also on the conditions under which research is produced. Cultures that enable open dialogue, positive error management, and trust are essential to reducing systemic risk and promoting sustainability. What can we do? ➡️ Listen to those who speak up: In a powerful podcast episode, Daniel Hölle speaks with a former PhD student who was suddenly cut off by her supervisor near the end of her dissertation. She ultimately succeeded elsewhere — but the experience of “intentional obstruction” is sadly not unique. They also examine systemic issues and draw on a major report from the German Psychological Society. ➡️ Engage with research: Daniel Leising, Martina Winkler, Hannah Schade analyze how institutional incentives can enable unethical behavior — and why integrity alone isn’t enough. Their #openaccess book chapter provides both theoretical insights and practical prevention strategies. Read more: https://lnkd.in/e5wAkApb #FYI: Daniel just posted about a #conference in October 10 (9 AM–5 PM), on “Power Abuse in Academia” which will take place in Mainz. Participation is free of charge. More information about the meeting will be posted shortly. ➡️ Learn from best practices: The Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg has launched a certificate program (“Machtmissbrauch erkennen und verhindern”) that offers tools for recognizing, preventing, and responding to abuse of power. Though limited to students and professionals affiliated with JMU, the structure and intent of the program can inspire action at other institutions as well. In the field of history, the Verband der Historiker und Historikerinnen Deutschlands e.V. (VHD) has just released a new #codeofconduct following a nationwide survey on power abuse within the discipline. Based on 600 responses — many with harrowing personal accounts — the association has created a clear #Leitbild for #respectful, #fearfree working #environments. Need practical support? The Network Against Abuse of Power in Academia (Netzwerk gegen Machtmissbrauch in der Wissenschaft) offers #confidential #help - including #guidance for #documenting #incidents, navigating institutional structures, and protecting yourself and others. → https://lnkd.in/ecu-UkDs  

📣 The Zia Fellowship Program is now open for applications! - Support, Visibility, and Community for Women in Academia Named after the Arabic word for “the shining one” and the Latin for “seed,” Zia is space for growth, inspiration, and real exchange. Launched by ZEIT Verlagsgruppe and supported by a strong #network of #partners and sponsors, Zia is designed to support early-career female researchers in Germany on both their professional and personal development journeys. ➡️ What does the program offer? ✅ Over the course of one year, Zia Fellows: ✅ Join an inspiring network of researchers, role models, and institutional supporters from academia, business, and the public sector ✅ Attend workshops, digital impulses, and network meetings focused on leadership, visibility, communication, and career development ✅ Meet in person at key events, including the Berlin Science Week and the Falling Walls Conference ✅ Gain free access to selected courses from the ZEIT Akademie ✅ Receive science communication and social media training through NaWik ✅ Stay connected through a dedicated LinkedIn group for long-term exchange and inspiration ➡️ Who can apply? ✅ Zia is open to women* researchers who: ✅ Are in the final stages of their degree, pursuing a doctorate, already hold a doctorate, or are in the postdoc phase ✅ May already hold a junior professorship ✅ Are based in Germany or affiliated with a German research institution ✅ Are not in tenured professorships *The program is open to all individuals who identify as women. ✔️ Why apply? Because building a career in research isn’t just about publications — it’s about access, support, and community. Zia strengthens the visibility of women in science and works toward sustainable integration of their talents and leadership potential into the academic system. 📅 Apply by: August 31, 2025 Submit your CV and a one-page motivation letter (each max. 1 page, PDF) via email. More information here: https://lnkd.in/e-scDypT The program kicks off in October with a digital welcome, followed by in-person events during Berlin Science Week.

📣 Not just another STEM career event. EuroSTEMPeers 2025 brings together early-career #researchers, #academic #mentors, #industry #leaders, and #innovators — for real conversations about #science, #careers, #networking and what it means to grow in and #beyondacademia. Where? Heidelberg When? July 11–12, 2025 What makes this conference stand out? ✅ Honest panel discussions ➡️ From Lab to Application: How research becomes innovation ➡️ Science Communication in the Age of Misinformation ➡️ The Future of Hiring in STEM ➡️ Hybrid Roles & Career Transitions: What it really looks like ✅ Spotlight Talk: Inside TechBio A grounded look at what’s happening behind the buzzwords. ✅ Impact Lecture: Mindfulness-Based Resilience Science meets self-care — practical insights for sustainable careers. ✅ Whether you’re exploring what’s next after your postdoc, seeking your place in the innovation pipeline, or curious how others combine academic and industry identities — this is a space to reflect, connect, and move forward. 🎉 And: It’s the 10-year anniversary of EuroSTEMPeers! Day 1 – July 11, 2025 BioLabs Heidelberg, Nikola-Tesla-Straße 1, 69124 Heidelberg Day 2 – July 12, 2025 BDC Heidelberg, Carl-Friedrich-Gauß-Ring 5, 69124 Heidelberg Register now & explore further event details: https://lnkd.in/ewyFqde7

🎲What if we stopped explaining and started playing? That was the starting point of the latest AlumNode GameLab, where we explored how #board #games can do more than entertain. They can engage, #emotionally and #intellectually, and make people genuinely curious about your #research. Demian Nahuel Goos Bosco, PhD shared how he turned his research on the #history of #mathematics, specifically a little-known case of academic plagiarism involving Georg Cantor, into a playable story: ➡️ "Who stole my paper?!" is a social deduction game where players become historical figures, one of whom steals a colleague’s work. The rest must figure out who did it. Yes, we played it on Zoom. Yes, with eyes closed. And yes, it worked. 🎯 Why board games work in #science #communication: ✅ They create #emotional #entry #points, through tension, humor, and surprise. ✅ They encourage #participation instead of passive listening. ✅ They make space for #complexity, without requiring it upfront. ✅ They help audiences feel the topic before understanding it. ✅ They can be tailored to your own field or research story.   Demian also shared how he uses game elements in his teaching, turning abstract theorems into hands-on cardboard puzzles that students actively play to solve. ➡️ His advice? Balance fun with depth, and never underestimate the power of a good story. Thanks to everyone who joined the session. More Game Labs are in the works - stay tuned! Have you ever used a game to explain your research? Or played one that made you think differently? We’d love to hear about it! #alumnode #gamelab #scicomm

Webinar: How to Apply for the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund 📅 July 7, 2025 | 🕓 4:00 PM (CEST) 🔗 Register: https://lnkd.in/e6UwSuEg Writing proposals is (also) a skill. For postdocs preparing their first #independent #researchgrant, it’s especially helpful to learn from those who’ve succeeded — and who know that #rejection is part of the process. For the #KTBoost Fund, which we make possible with the support of the Klaus Tschira Stiftung, the funding rate is around 5%. (A clear indicator of the existing funding gap for postdocs.) That’s why we try to communicate as transparently as possible what matters in an application. In this webinar, Dr. Birte Seffert & Anne Schreiter, Ph.D. will talk with Prof. Dr. Bernhard Renard, Head of the KT Boost #selectioncommittee, and Dr. Lorenz Adlung, KT Boost Fellow and #JuniorGroupLeader at Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf, to share their perspective — with the openness and practical focus you'd hope for in a mentor. They’ll talk about: ✅ What makes a strong KT Boost application ✅ What to avoid and how to think strategically ✅ The value of peer feedback ✅ And how this experience translates to grant writing in general — The #KTBoostFund, a collaborative initiative between GSO and the Klaus Tschira Stiftung, supports excellent postdocs at public research institutions in Germany (non-clinical fields) who are not yet tenured and haven’t led a junior research group. More than funding, the program offers: ✅ Freedom to pursue your own research agenda ✅ Support in building (international) collaborations ✅ Personalized mentoring for professional development 📌 Application Deadline: October 1, 2025 (11:59 PM CEST) 📅 Project Start: Between May 1 and October 1, 2026 ✅ More info on eligibility and application: https://lnkd.in/dH3AeP7

Online #WorkshopSeries #Recommendation: More than Luck? Rethinking Research Funding 📅30 June – 3 July 2025 | Zoom stream open to all How fair is research funding — and what could make it better? At a time when third-party funding dominates academic careers, both applicants and reviewers face growing pressure. How can we build more inclusive, effective, and thoughtful funding systems? Hosted by Dr. Rima-Maria Rahal, this international workshop at the Zentrum für interdisziplinäre Forschung / Center for Interdisciplinary Research (ZiF)) at Universität Bielefeld brings together global experts from research institutions, funding bodies, and academia ➡️ What makes a #fundingsystem #fair and #future-ready? ➡️ How can we recognize bold, original ideas without overburdening reviewers? ➡️ Can #AI or #randomization improve the process - or make it worse? This international workshop brings together researchers, funders, and policymakers to explore the ethics, structures, and practical tools of funding allocation. It’s for everyone navigating the system—from applicants writing proposals to institutions shaping the rules. ➡️ Highlights from the public program: ✅ “The #State of #ResearchFunding” – Rima-Maria Rahal sets the scene: what works, what doesn’t, and what’s at stake. ✅ "Bridging the Divide: Rethinking Research Funding through #Globally #Inclusive and #Feminist Lenses—Insights from #Africa and #Europe" ✅ “Are large language models / #LLMs useful to support #post-#publication #peerreview? First #empiricalresults of a research in progress study” ✅ Plus: Insights from Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - German Research Foundation, VolkswagenStiftung, and others on new models like partial randomization, risk-tolerant funding, and the hidden costs of competition. Fond more about the program and the Zoom Call Invitation in the first comment.

On the path to professorship, leading a research group is a key milestone, often seen as equivalent to a “Habilitation.” It’s a chance to define your own #researchagenda, acquire third-party #funding, and lead a team – positioning you for long-term #academicleadership. This step requires strategic planning, a strong research idea, and early preparation. Many programs are open only within 4–6 years after your PhD. Germany offers competitive funding programs, with different structures, disciplines, and eligibility criteria. What they have in common: 🔹 Strong host institution fit 🔹 Independent, feasible research project 🔹 Academic track record 🔹 Ideally prior third-party funding 🔹 Often international experience Here are some key programs to explore: ➡️ National programs / DFG: 🔸 Emmy Noether Programme (DFG): Prestigious, well-established funding line 🔸 BMBF Junior Research Groups: Thematic / often interdisciplinary, universities / institutions as applicants 🔸 Walter Benjamin Programme (DFG): Early stage independence for researchers 🔸 #NRW Returning Scholars Program: Supports researchers who have lived in Germany before & want to establish a group in North Rhine-Westphalia. Up to €1.25 million over five years ➡️ Non-university research institutions (strong host connection required): 🔸 Max Planck Research Groups: Competitive funding for independent groups in Max Planck Institutes 🔸 Helmholtz Young Investigator Groups: Combines research leadership with structured career support 🔸 Leibniz Junior Research Groups: Funding to establish a group at a Leibniz Institute 🔸 Fraunhofer Attract: For industry-focused researchers; combines applied science with leadership 🔸 Lise Meitner Excellence Program: A program to support women in nuclear science and technology Private foundations and other specialized programs: ➡️ Non-university institutions: 🔸 Max Planck, Helmholtz, and Leibniz Research Groups – Highly competitive 🔸 Fraunhofer Attract – Applied research and leadership 🔸 Lise Meitner Program – For women in nuclear science ➡️ Private foundations & others: 🔸 Carl-Zeiss-Stiftung (e.g. NEXUS) – Innovation focus 🔸 Robert Bosch Junior Professorship – Sustainability focus 🔸 Max Eder Program – Cancer research 🔸 Klaus Tschira Boost Fund – €120K flexible postdoc support 📌 To help you get started, read our guide – swipe through the carousel for a quick overview. The full guide link is in the first comment. It includes five key steps: 1️⃣ Understand the landscape 2️⃣ Build host relationships 3️⃣ Prepare strong applications 4️⃣ Expand your network 5️⃣ Negotiate and finalize your position _______________________________________ About the NRW Rückkehrprogramm: Since 2007, the Ministry of Culture and Science of NRW has promoted the return of outstanding young scientists from abroad. Around 60 researchers have received up to 1.25 million euros over 5 years to establish research groups in NorthRhine-Westphalia. Next #OpenCall in Autumn 2025!