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

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!

📣 Join us for our AlumNode Online Panel: Social Media for Scientists: Opportunities & Challenges 📅 Friday, July 4, 2025 | 5:00-6:30 pm (CEST) | Online via Zoom More citations? New collaborations? A podcast invite? It’s not just about being online — it’s about being findable, relatable, and visible on your terms. Part of our #AlumNode #SummerMeeting in #Heidelberg, this panel talk is too good to keep local - so we’re opening it up to the entire AlumNode community.  ➡️ At this AlumNode panel, five researchers share how social media has shaped their careers: ✅ How do you build an #onlinepresence that feels #authentic and #professional? ✅ What #impact can LinkedIn, YouTube, and podcasts really have — beyond likes? ✅ Where lies the potential and the pitfalls of using social media as a tool for #scientificcommunication and #careerdevelopment? They’ve tried things, failed at a few, found what works — and they’ll tell you how. Expect practical advice, real talk, and different perspectives from five people who use social media in very different ways: ✅ Letitia Parcalabescu: AI researcher + YouTube creator ✅ Deborah Dormah Kanubala (She/her): ML PhD + LinkedIn for visibility & equity ✅ Enrico Catalano: Technology Scientist at Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies + trained in sci comm for LinkedIn ✅ Fatimah Abdul Razak: Applied math prof + podcast host + author ✅ Daniel Hölle: Neuroscientist-turned-communicator + KlarText awardee Moderator: Aditya Manglik Register via your alumnode login: https://lnkd.in/e3nrKW5h 📌 Free & open to all in the AlumNode network

📣 Want to apply for the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund? Join our webinar to learn how — and why — it might be exactly the right next step. 🎓 Webinar: How to Apply for the KT Boost Fund 📅 July 7, 2025 | 🕓 4:00 PM (CEST) 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/e6UwSuEg What makes this program stand out? Christin Katharina Kreutz, Tandem Professor for Data Science in the Humanities at TH Mittelhessen, University of Applied Sciences & Herder Institute — and current KT Boost Fellow about the Fund: “A major advantage was the straightforward application process with quick #feedback — a refreshing contrast to traditional funding formats. The Boost Fund gave me the #freedom to design user studies that truly fit the research questions, attend international conferences to grow my #network, and even realize a research stay #abroad to dive into an #interdisciplinary #collaboration. ➡️ Most importantly, it showed me that I can acquire independent third-party funding — an essential step on the path to a professorship.” In this session, you’ll learn: ✅ What the Boost Fund offers — and who’s eligible ✅ What makes a strong application (and common pitfalls) ✅ How peer feedback can improve your chances ✅ Transferable insights for other research grant applications — 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 ✅ Personalised 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 — Pictured: KT Boost Fellow Christin Kreutz, Tandem Professor for Data Science in the Humanities at TH Mittelhessen & Herder Institute

New interview, new perspective — and a familiar face from our community. Stefanie Bärthel, group leader at the BioMed X Institute and #KTBoostFund fellow, shares her path in the latest #VoicesOfBioMedX episode. Stefanie leads a project exploring how neutrophils can be engaged in the fight against solid tumors — a field where translational research and collaboration are key. In the interview, she talks about: 🔹 working at the intersection of academia and industry, 🔹 the BioMed X boot camp experience, 🔹 and what makes this research environment different. We’ve had the chance to follow her work more closely through our Keeping Up With the Boost Fellows series — and most recently as she prepares to host the #upcoming #event 📣 Boosting Synergies in Immuno-Oncology: Science Meets Career Insights (July 30 at DKFZ Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum Heidelberg).