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

What Does a Successful Research Career Look Like? For many PhDs and postdocs, the path seems clear: publish, apply for grants, secure a faculty position, repeat. But what if #success in #research didn’t have to mean chasing the next tenure-track opening? What if it could mean launching a research-driven business, leading a nonprofit, or shaping policy from outside the university walls? A growing number of PhD-trained scientists are forging careers outside traditional academia—not as a backup plan, but as a deliberate choice. A wonderful Nature Magazine #Careers Feature explores some of the experiences of PhD-trained researchers who have built their successful careers outside academia: ➡️ Jennifer Lavers left the university system to establish Adrift Lab, an independent research group studying marine pollution. One of the unexpected rewards? Close, long-term relationships with funders who have joined field excursions, worked alongside students, and become part of the lab’s community. ➡️ Reilly Dibner turned her expertise as an ecologist into a science-animation and voice-over business called Ecosystem Films. She discovered her surprisingly transferable skills - grant writing, project management, and the ability to quickly learn new techniques - all of which help her run a successful company. ➡️ Anna Ortega wanted to continue her research in wildlife biology without committing to government or university roles. Instead, she co-founded the Western Wildlife Research Collective, a consulting firm analyzing wildlife data for labs and conservation groups. ✅ Why are they doing it? ➡️ To stay close to family while continuing their research ➡️ To have more autonomy over the projects they pursue ➡️ To work at the intersection of science, industry, and public impact ➡️ Because stable academic jobs are increasingly rare The transition isn’t always easy - funding models, networking, and institutional structures still favor the traditional route. But these researchers are proving that success in science & research can take many forms. Drop your thoughts below - have you considered a nontraditional path? Or taken one yourself? What advice would you give others?

📣 You Can’t Apply - But You Might Just Get Nominated: The Karl Heinz Beckurts Prize First, a huge shoutout to Lia Lang, who is taking over the coordination of the Karl Heinz Beckurts Foundation! An important role, tied to a serious legacy: Karl Heinz Beckurts, a scientist who was tragically killed in a terrorist attack in Munich in 1986, left behind a foundation that has since honored groundbreaking work at the #intersection of #science and #industry. ➡️ This is not an applicant prize. #Nominations must come from #universities and other #institutions of higher learning, non-academic #research institutions, scientific and technical professional #associations, - previous recipients of the Karl Heinz Beckurts Prize - and commercial #enterprises. The donor is Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft. ➡️ Now, let’s get to the prize: €30,000 is up for honoring outstanding and proved innovations and achievements #bridging #science and #industry - but not in a submit-your-own-brilliance kind of way. ➡️ So if you know a researcher whose innovation is not just impressive but proven - meaning it’s out in the real world making a difference - this is your moment to push their name forward. ✅ Deadline extended (from March 15): now March 30, 2025 (You’re welcome, last-minute nominators.) ✅ Award ceremony: November 17, 2025, Heidelberg ✅ How to nominate? A max. 10-page proposal, CV, and endorsement from a sponsoring organization (link in comments) Let’s make sure the best minds in science - #both #men and #women - get the recognition they deserve. Spread the word!

📣 Call for Applications: GSO Leadership Academy 9 Apply for one of 25 fully funded #fellowships for the 9th GSO Leadership Academy – an interactive program designed to give you the tools, network, and mindset for effective leadership in research and other sectors. ✅ What’s in the Curriculum? The GSO Leadership Academy is a hands-on training with practical insights and expert-led workshops. Across two in-person phases in Berlin and Heidelberg, you will: ➡️ #Learn #Leadership as #Dialogue & Leading without Authority – Develop essential skills in asking the right questions and active listening. Understand lateral leadership and influencing without hierarchy. ➡️ Gain #strategic #decision-making skills – Use Lean Strategy tools to shape your research and career direction. ➡️ Master #communication & #negotiation – Explore lateral leadership and Harvard-style negotiation techniques. ➡️ Handle challenges – Develop tools for #conflict #resolution, feedback culture, and for navigating #career #transitions. ➡️ Get individual coaching – Clarify #personal #career #questions in one-on-one coaching sessions. ✅ Beyond the training program:  You’ll also take part in #excursions and #discussions with leaders across all sectors. Past guests have included experts in science policy and research communication as well as university presidents, and researchers working in the business and nonprofit sectors. Funded by the Klaus Tschira Stiftung, we are awarding 25 Fellowships for outstanding academics. Each fellowship is covering travel, accommodation, and participation costs. Who Can Apply? ✅ German-speaking researchers from #all #disciplines (German citizenship is NOT required, but you need to be able to follow the program in German) ✅ Currently conducting research outside of Germany or have been living in Germany (again) for no longer than 18 months. ✅ Demonstrated commitment to pursuing leadership roles in academia, industry, or other sectors. 📅 Application Deadline: April 22, 2025 🔗 Apply here: https://lnkd.in/dWKEiqm In the picture: Our Leadership Academy 8 alumnus Max Birk Know someone who should apply? Pass it on! The program is funded and made possible by the Klaus Tschira Stiftung.

🔬 Keeping Up with the Boost Fellows: Dr. Susanne Wintzheimer in Erlangen After Jena Birte met Dr. Susanne Wintzheimer, Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellow and Material Chemist, who holds a Postdoc position both at FAU Erlangen-Nürnberg and at Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC in Würzburg. Working in two very distinct research institutions has its perks and comes with a few must-knows, Dr. Birte Seffert learned from Susanne. But first let´s take a closer look at Susanne´s Boost-funded research. ❓ What do truffles and innovative materials research have in common? ➡️ For Susanne the answer lies in combining ingredients with precision to create optimized results. Working across two distinct research environments—a university and an application-focused Fraunhofer Institute —Susanne is applying this concept to develop millimeter-sized composite materials for catalysis. ➡️ Just like a praline maker perfecting the balance of flavors, Susanne combines materials to create composites with enhanced performance and practical handling. ✅ Her project reflects both creativity and rigor, mixing foundational understanding and application—a dual focus which shows her unique roles at a university and a Fraunhofer institute. #Reflecting on her Boost Fund project, Susanne was pleasantly surprised by how smoothly her #research progressed: “We were able to implement the project plan almost exactly as written, and the initial experiments worked well—something I hadn’t expected based on experience with other projects.” But she also highlighted the #challenges of #short project #timelines in academia: “Two years is extremely brief. By the time experiments are done, reproductions and analyses are completed, the time is often already over – and you still need to publish and present at conferences.” 💡 Beyond her specific research, Susanne notes the growing role of #AI in #science. While tools like language corrections and support to design graphs and images improve daily workflows, AI's #potential in material #chemistry remains an evolving frontier, limited by the complexity and lack of structure in many materials she works with. ___________________________________________ #KlausTschiraBoostFund is 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. ➡️Link to the article in the first comment! #ktboost #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/dxqbsdTq

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