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

📣 AlumNode Panel Talk: Mentoring in Academia & Industry on Thursday, May 8 #Mentorship can be a game changer – whether you`re in the middle of the academic jungle or taking your first steps in industry. But how do you find the right mentor or become one? What makes mentoring meaningful, impactful, and maybe even fun? We’re kicking off our first #AlumNode #PanelTalk on May 8 at 4:00 pm CEST with a deep dive into the many facets of mentoring — from finding a suitable mentor to becoming one yourself. This session is all about what it really means to support and be supported across different career paths in #academia and #industry. Hosted by the Executive Director of Guidance, Skills & Opportunities for Researchers e.V. (GSO), Anne Schreiter, Ph.D., we’ll hear from our inspiring AlumNode panelists: ➡️ Cerene Rathilal, Senior lecturer at the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Computer Science at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, #SouthAfrica ➡️ Katrina Meyer, Postdoc at the Max Planck Institute for Molecular Genetics (MPI-MG), #Germany ➡️ Suman Sourav, Assistant Professor at Aalborg University, #Denmark Expect personal stories, honest advice, and plenty of inspiration for your next steps on your mentoring journey. 🗓️ Thursday, May 8, 2025 | 4:00 – 5:00 pm CEST (UTC+2) | Zoom 🎟️ Registration open for our Alumni - please login to your AlumNode account to sign up: https://lnkd.in/dzbabbT2

Meet one of our newest members: Dr. Maxim Egorov ❓ What motivates you to lead? And why should anyone be led by you? For Maxim, these aren’t just philosophical questions — they’re essential reflections for anyone who takes #leadership seriously. ➡️Currently serving as interim Professor for Responsible Leadership at Munich Business School, Maxim also works as an independent #consultant, executive #coach, and #trainer, guiding individuals, companies, and scientific institutions through change and development. His academic affiliations include the Leadership Excellence Institute Zeppelin | LEIZ at Zeppelin University and the Department of Finance at the University of Zurich. ➡️Maxim’s research and coaching focus on #ethical leadership and leadership development. He earned his doctorate at the TUM School of Management and holds a degree in psychology from the University of Koblenz and Landau. ➡️His message to early-career leaders is clear: Leadership development is often associated with knowledge and skills — but our self-views matter just as much. Leadership development is often mainly associated with the acquisition of leadership #knowledge, as well as specific #skills, and #competencies. Nevertheless, also our leadership-related self-views matter and variables such as leadership self-efficacy, leader identity and self-awareness play a crucial role in effective leadership development processes! (Day & Dragoni, 2015). ➡️His advice? ✅ Do: Reflect on your leadership-related self-views. Ask yourself: What motivates me to lead? Why should anyone be led by me? ❌ Don’t: Believe in the myth of “born leaders.” Leadership is not innate — it’s a lifelong journey. The sooner you start shaping it, the better. We’re glad to have Maxim on board — and look forward to the perspectives and depth he brings to the table!

📣 See you at the Zia Congress 2025! On May 6, we’ll be joining the #ZiaCongress in Berlin - alongside many initiatives to talk about key challenges around equal opportunities in research. Meet Anne Schreiter, Ph.D., and Kübra Kananathan at the thematic session at 3:40 pm — together with #KooperationInternational, the research project Prof:inSicht by Hochschule München, #InnovativeFrauen, and Metavorhaben „Innovative Frauen im Fokus“ (meta-IFiF). 📆 When: May 6, 2025, from 1:00 p.m. 📍 Where: BOLLE Festsäle, Alt-Moabit 98, 10559 Berlin ⭕ Who: Women working in science and research ✅ Registration is still open – find the link to register in the first comment! The Zia Congress is a joint project by Holtzbrinck Berlin - Inspire Together, VolkswagenStiftung, and ZEIT Verlagsgruppe. We’re looking forward to seeing many of you there!

📅 In Person Event Alert: Considering a #HAW #Professorship (and missed our webinar)? Here’s Your Chance to Ask (and Learn) Everything If you've ever wondered whether this career path is right for you, the upcoming info event “Mein Weg in die HAW-Professur” on May 16 might offer the clarity you're looking for. Hosted by Hochschule Osnabrück and supported by UAS7 and other partner universities, the event explores what makes an HAW professorship distinct — and what it takes to get there. What to expect: ➡️ Short talks and real-life insights from current professors ➡️ An info market with experts covering topics like academic qualifications, professional experience, teaching credentials, and appointment processes ➡️ Networking opportunities with representatives from multiple universities ➡️ Optional morning workshops on university teaching and self-presentation, plus lab tours across Osnabrück’s campuses Whether you're planning your next steps or just exploring the landscape — this is a chance to get informed and ask questions directly. #Registration #deadline is April 28.

PhD: A Must or a Waste of Time? - Insights from the 7th event in the ‘Junges Podium’ series hosted by Universitäts-Gesellschaft Hamburg e.V. Pursuing a PhD is often seen as the ultimate academic milestone. But does it still hold its value in an ever-evolving research and job market? The debate over whether a PhD is a valuable career move or a time-consuming endeavor continues. The panel discussion with four experts from different fields provided some insights! Moderated by Astrid Dose, featured: Prof. Dr. Simone Neumann, Junior Professor for Logistics at the University of Hamburg Jörg Seidel, Diplom-Physicist and energy expert at Vattenfall Dr. Hanna Proner, Director of Science & Talent at ZEIT Verlag and Managing Director of http://academics.de Dr. Christoph Senft Senft, Literature PhD and manager at semiconductor firm Nexperia Here’s what came through clearly: ✅ Why people start a PhD in the first place ➡️ Curiosity beats strategy: For most, the decision wasn’t about status or career planning. It was about diving deep into something they couldn’t let go- whether it was political polling (Hanna), postcolonial literature (Christoph), or airport boarding processes (Simone). ➡️ Career doors or detours? Some pursued academic careers. Others (like Jörg) walked away mid-dissertation - frustrated by publishing cycles and slow feedback. ✅ The reality check: What makes a PhD challenging ➡️ It’s not a guarantee. The number of doctoral researchers has risen - #permanent #academic #positions haven’t. ➡️ The system isn’t built to keep everyone. Many start with academic hopes, but most will build careers elsewhere. ➡️ #Transferable #skills are often undervalued. Industry still struggles to interpret academic experience as professional expertise. ✅ Does it help on the #job #market? It depends. ➡️ In #STEM, a PhD can be essential (think semiconductors or R&D). In business, practical #experience often wins—especially in roles like #sales or #management. ➡️ Prestige varies: In Germany, the title still carries weight. In Sweden? Less so. ✅ What PhDs really teach you ➡️ How to self-manage for years. ➡️ How to frame questions that haven’t been asked. ➡️ How to finish what you started—even if no one else is watching. ✅Panelists’ advice for anyone considering a PhD ➡️ Use this time to explore what you really care about. The freedom to shape your own work won’t come again. ➡️ Your topic doesn’t have to define your career. Just show you can learn—and go from there. ➡️ Think ahead. In 20 years, what story do you want to tell about this time? ➡️ Let go of perfection. Get it done.

📣 Upcoming Event (Not to Miss): Virtual Case Clinic for Researchers Are you in the middle of a tricky research challenge, stuck in a publication loop, or unsure about your next career step in science? This Case Clinic for Researchers might be just the clarity boost you need. Hosted by SciLead - a team deeply rooted in academic careers and leadership development - this session offers structured peer support for real-life research or career dilemmas. ➡️ You bring a challenge; your peers bring fresh perspectives. No slides. No theory. Just practical reflection and focused group work. Verena Claudia Haage, co-founder of SciLead and Leadership Academy alumna, led a powerful case clinic for our fellows last year that left a lasting impression. We know how transformative these 75 minutes can be. 🗓️ Monday, April 28, 2025 - 6:00-7:00 pm Register via SciLead: https://lnkd.in/eedapQA8

Navigating Career Transitions to Industry: Are You Telling the Right Story? Moving from #academia to #industry doesn’t mean leaving your skills behind—it means learning to show them differently. During a recent Coffee Break session, Ulrike Boehm (now R&D Scientist at ZEISS Group, formerly researcher at The National Institutes of Health and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI)) and Edouard Fouché, PhD (now Data Scientist at Siemens, formerly group leader at Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT)) shared what helped them make that shift.   ➡️ Here are some insights from the session:   ✅ What changes—and what doesn’t In academia, you're rewarded for independence and deep understanding. In industry, things move faster. What matters is your ability to collaborate, deliver, and adapt to clear goals. 🔹As Edouard said: “In academia, you just have to be a rockstar. In industry, the expectations are more specific.”   ✅ Talk about your skills in a new way Academic training gives you strong tools—but you need to translate them. 🔹 Instead of listing your field, provide a broader description about what you actually do—like solving complex problems or managing long projects. 🔹 Use a cover letter, even if it’s optional. Don’t assume others will see how your background fits the role. Just as Ulrike put it: “Make it crystal clear that you are the perfect fit.” 🔹 Keep your CV easy to read for both people and algorithms.   ✅ Be ready to adapt This is especially true if you come from a theoretical field like mathematics. Your skills might not match a job title exactly—but abstract strengths, like approaching complexity and thinking in systems, are appreciated in industry. 🔹What matters is having a growth mindset: being open to learning, adapting, and exploring new ways to apply your expertise.   ✅ Make yourself easy to remember In academia, your name might be tied to papers. In industry, it’s more about how you show up and communicate. 🔹 Share more than just results—show how you think and work. 🔹 Connect online so people can follow what you do over time. 🔹 Decide what you want to be known for—like a Pavlovian bell, a clear signal helps others recall you in the right moment.   ➡️The takeaway? You don’t need to reinvent yourself—you just need to reframe your story. Thank you, Ulrike and Edouard, for such an encouraging and insightful session!   ❓ If someone heard your name in a meeting—what would they remember you for? #alumnode #coffeebreak

📣 Open Call: Fellowships at Hanse-Wissenschaftskolleg (HWK) The HWK – Institute for Advanced Study in Delmenhorst, Germany – has launched its Annual Call for Applications, open until 15 July (12 PM CEST). Researchers from all career stages and all over the world (except Northwest Germany) are invited to apply for residential fellowships across a wide range of disciplines. Fellowship duration: 3 to 10 months Residency in Delmenhorst is required Application deadline: 15 July, 12 PM CEST What matters in your application: 🔹 The quality and originality of your research 🔹 Your academic qualifications 🔹 A strong fit with the HWK’s interdisciplinary research community 🔹 Willingness to engage and collaborate Programs include: ➡️ Regular fellowships for academics whose PhD dates back more than five years. ➡️ Junior fellowships for academics whose PhD dates back less than five years.  ➡️ Artist in Residence fellowships available to artists with a keen scientific interest. Apply here Whether your work is disciplinary or interdisciplinary, scientific or artistic, this may be the setting to rethink and deepen your research. What the fellowships offer: ✅ Room to think - independently. The HWK is a place for critical inquiry and real openness across disciplines. If you value time for deep thinking—without daily admin, committee work, or teaching - you’ll have it here. ✅ Scientific liberalism meets real interdisciplinarity. HWK welcomes scientists from all disciplines: natural and social sciences, as well as the humanities. Interdisciplinary projects are not just accepted—they’re encouraged. ✅ Strong ties to local research and industry. The HWK is close to the Universities of Bremen and Oldenburg, MARUM, ICBM, and the Alfred Wegener Institute. There’s also easy access to industry partners like Airbus. ✅ Bring your family. Fellows with partners and children are supported—from finding housing to childcare and school registration. Your research doesn’t have to come at the expense of your family life. ✅ Nature, comfort, and the occasional apple from the garden. You’ll live in a fully furnished apartment on a green campus in Delmenhorst. It’s calm, walkable, and just an hour from the North Sea. The orchard is a nice bonus. More info in the first link!

📽️ Something’s in the making... Today was shooting day at GSO - as you know, newly standing for Guidance, Skills & Opportunities for Researchers. The video will be part of our upcoming rebranding event this July, where we’ll go beyond new names and logos - to open a dialogue with institutions: 🔹What impulses does science need to have impact? 🔹What challenges shape the work in the current research landscape? 🔹What kind of support structures help researchers – and institutions – move forward? Our Rebranding means bringing into focus what’s already been there: ➡️ That GSO means honest career guidance, not quick fixes. ➡️ That our programs and build on 20+ years of experience. ➡️ That we see institutions and researchers not just as clients, but as partners in shaping research and its landscape sustainably. A big thank you to Karl Kubik for the thoughtful & all around great shoot today! If you're looking for someone who captures not just scenes but stories - you’re in good hands with him!

Webinar Recap: HAW Professorships – A Practice-Oriented Career Path – with HTW Berlin What does it take to become a professor at a University of Applied Sciences (HAW) in Germany? Our recent webinar explored this career path with insights from Prof. Dr. Helena Mihaljevic, Prof. Dr. Tine Lehmann, and Prof. Dr. Stefanie Molthagen-Schnöring from Hochschule für Technik und Wirtschaft Berlin! What Makes a HAW Professorship Different? Unlike traditional university positions, professorships at HAWs emphasize practice-oriented teaching and #applied #research. Teaching load is high, direct #contact with #students is central, and #collaboration with #industry is encouraged. But how do you get there - and what do you need to bring? Spoiler: It’s a mix of teaching, research, and service - and all three matter. Here’s what the panel emphasized: #Teaching ➡️ The standard teaching load is 16-18 SWS. At some institutions (like HTW Berlin), this can be reduced to 14–16 SWS with active research, “Gremienarbeit” and further other university-related activities. ➡️ A clear teaching philosophy. Document your experience, include evaluations, and qualifications. #Professional #Experience Outside Academia ➡️ At least five years of professional experience after the university degree, including a minimum of three years outside academia (e.g. in industry). ➡️ This can include applied research in companies, consultancy work, or leadership in R&D -all relating to your field and well documented. #Research ➡️ Maintaining a research profile — even while working in industry — makes a difference. Publications, conference talks, third-party funding applications, and collaborations count. ➡️ Social sciences thrive & although humanities are scarce - interdisciplinarity opens doors. #Administrative #Work ➡️ Don’t underestimate “Gremienarbeit” — involvement in committees, governance, or organizational development. ➡️ This is part of academic life. If you’ve done it, put it in your CV. #Language ➡️ German is not always mandatory, especially in English-taught programs, but it is often an asset. ➡️ Administrative responsibilities usually require at least solid working knowledge of German. Even if a professorship is still a few years away, you can set yourself up strategically: 🔸Build teaching experience early (e.g., guest lectures, adjunct roles). 🔸Stay active in research beyond academia. 🔸Highlight governance experience. 🔸Use platforms: http://academics.de and monitor HLB listings. 🔸Explore hlb.de - the Association of Professors at HAWs. Use it for community and advocacy. 🔸Reach out to departments, send initiative applications, and network within study programs. 🔸Consider demographics: a generational shift is coming - there will be many openings. The message of our experts was clear: a HAW professorship is not an “easier” or fallback academic career - it’s a highly engaged, hands-on path that calls for #motivation, #autonomy, and a #passion for applied education.