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

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).

📣 The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation Foundation has just named 19 new Scouts — and you could be next. Here’s how to join the Henriette Herz-Scouting-Programme and directly nominate international research talent for a #HumboldtFellowship. The Henriette Herz-Scouting-Programme offers a direct, personal path to the Humboldt Research Fellowship — and you could be the one to open that door. This program is looking for outstanding (junior) professors and (junior) research group leaders based in Germany who are: 🔸 Well connected internationally 🔸 Actively mentoring early-career researchers 🔸 Committed to strengthening diversity in science As a #HenrietteHerzScout, you can propose up to three international researchers for a Humboldt Research Fellowship. No full application process is required — just a formal check by the Foundation. Each year, up to 100 additional fellowships are awarded through this track. The talent you are seeking: ➡️Doctorate completed within the last 12 years ➡️Above-average publication record, commensurate with career level ➡️Have not undertaken post-doctoral research stays nor completed degrees/doctorates in Germany ➡️Not hold German nationality ➡️Language skills: good knowledge of German or English, depending on research proposal ➡️Availability: the research fellowship should commence within 12 months of being granted ➡️No previous applications submitted to the Foundation by the candidate; no previous sponsorship in any of the Foundation’s fellowship programs 📌 There’s one important condition: Your first nomination should be a #womaninscience — and all your nominations should focus on researchers who, for various reasons, may not have otherwise considered Germany or the Humboldt Foundation as an option. 📅 You can apply to become a Scout at any time. More details in the first comment.

📣 Join us (& get your participation scholarship)! From August 29–31, 2025, early-career researchers from across North America will come together in Boston for the annual GAIN German Academic International Network (GAIN) Conference. And for the first time, the full program is open to all international attendees. We’ll be there — and hope to see you, too. How to join — even without institutional funding If you’re not currently receiving support from DAAD, DFG, the Humboldt Foundation, the Leopoldina, or the German National Academic Foundation, you may be eligible for a GAIN participation scholarship. Who can apply: ✅ Postdocs and internationally mobile researchers from all disciplines who are currently based in the U.S., Canada, or Latin America. What’s covered: ✔️ Full conference fee ✔️ Two nights in the conference hotel (if you live outside Boston) ❌ Travel costs are not included How to apply: ➡️ Register via the registration portal under the category “German Attendee (PostDoc)”. By registering, you are taking part in the application process for a GAIN participation scholarship. ➡️ Specify “GAIN” as the inviting organization. ➡️ Upload your CV and state your motivation for participating. ✅ Only book your hotel room after receiving confirmation of a GAIN participation scholarship. 📅 Extended Deadline: June 30 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/exiqUXpF 👋 Where to meet us at GAIN25 Saturday, August 30 🔸 8:30–9:45 AM (Dartmouth) "Rückkehrstrategien aus erster Hand: Erfolgreich nach Deutschland zurückkehren" Anne Schreiter, Ph.D. will be a panelist, sharing practical advice and lessons from researchers who have successfully returned to Germany. 🔸11:15 AM–12:30 PM (Salon A–E) Talent Fair & CV Checks We’ll be at our booth together with Deutscher Hochschulverband (DHV) — ready to review your CV and talk about your next career move. 🔸2:00–3:15 PM (Dartmouth) "Navigating the Path to Group Leader (& Professor) in Germany: Facts, Myths & Advice" Anne will host this session to shed light on facts, myths, and practical steps in the German academic system. Sunday, August 31 🔸11:15 AM–12:30 PM (Wellesley) “Karriere planen in Wissenschaft, Wirtschaft & Gesellschaft” With Dr. Hanna Proner (academics) — a joint session on realistic job profiles and how to apply. We’re looking forward to reconnecting with returning researchers and institutions — and to meeting many of you for the first time. #Gain25

🖋 Writing Contest: Celebrating Women in Science Who shaped your path in science? Which woman made you believe you belong in research? And what happens when we put those stories into words? As part of Women in Science Week 2025, FEBS Letters is inviting researchers of #allgenders and #careerstages to submit essays about the women who inspired them — mentors, scientists, colleagues, or anyone who made a difference. ➡️ The Contest ✅ Write 1,000–3,000 words about your female role model. ✅ Reflect on gender bias, academic journeys, or simply share a story. ✅ Submit by 31 July 2025 to: febsletters@febs.org (Subject: Writing Contest Submission) ✅ Submissions will be judged on interest, style, coherence, and attention to the contest theme. ✅ The winner receives €500 and publication in the Scientists’ Forum. ✅ Why this matters: So much of science is shaped behind the scenes — in conversations, encouragement, second chances. This contest gives space to those stories, and reminds us how personal science really is. 🔸 Need inspiration? Check out the Women in Science Collection. Consider forwarding this to someone who has a story to tell.

Join us on Thursday: Who stole my paper?! A game. A whodunit. A lesson in science communication. The AlumNode Game Lab is back — and this time, it’s all about the emotional power of games in science. Can a board game make people curious about your research? Help them connect? Make them think? Let’s find out — by playing one. In this session: ✅ Learn what makes a scientific board game work (and what definitely doesn’t). ✅ Explore how gameplay can spark engagement and trust in research. ✅ Play “Who stole my paper?!” — a 15-minute deduction game featuring stolen ideas, big egos, and historical mathematicians with secrets. Curious about the #research behind the game? Listen to this podcast episode (in German) featuring Demian: https://lnkd.in/eRKp-SGS ➡️Your hosts: Demian Nahuel Goos Bosco, PhD is a mathematician turned science journalist. With projects ranging from board games to dance choreographies, Demian is passionate about making science engaging and accessible. His current research focuses on the history of mathematics, especially the overlooked plagiarism in Georg Cantor’s early work on set theory. Michal Jex is a mathematical physicist and board game creator at the Faculty of Nuclear Sciences and Physical Engineering CTU in Prague. He studies many-body problems and weakly bounded systems in quantum mechanics. He’s also developing educational games, including Sci-Me! 📆 When: Thursday, June 19, 2025, 4:00 - 5:00 pm (CEST), online via Zoom ➡️For AlumNode members only! Visit AlumNode to log in and sign up: https://lnkd.in/emyKb3Fw We look forward to seeing you there! #AlumNode #GameLab

📣 Klaus Tschira Boost Fund 2025: Call for Applications is open! Thinking of applying for the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund? Start with our webinar. We’ve just opened the 7th call for the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund — offering up to €120,000 in flexible funding for postdoctoral researchers in Germany. ➡️ But before you apply, join us for a session that answers your most important questions: 📅 Webinar: How to Apply for the KT Boost Fund 🕓 July 7, 2025 | 4:00 PM (CEST) 🔗 Register here: https://lnkd.in/ePmSKnHM ✅ What’s special about this fund? ✅ How do you know if you’re eligible? ✅ What does the selection committee look for and what to include (and avoid) in your application? ✅ How can you make your application stand out and why is peer feedback so important during your preparation? ✅ Transferable tips for other research grants A current Boost Fund Fellow and a member of the selection committee will join the session to share their experiences and answer your questions. — The Klaus Tschira Boost Fund, 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 In the picture: Our #KTBoost Fellow 2023 - 2025 Dr. Maria-Elena Vorrath, Scientist at Universität Hamburg, Institute for Geology — Please share this opportunity with researchers in your network.

📣#JobAlert - Wir suchen dich – mit Kommunikationstalent, Organisationstalent und Teamgeist! Du willst Kommunikation strategisch mitgestalten, Wissenschaft weiterdenken und deine Projektmanagement-Skills in einem engagierten Team einsetzen? Dann freuen wir uns auf deine Bewerbung als: 👉 Kommunikations- & Projektmanager*in (80–100 %) 📍 Berlin (Mitte) | Präsenz & Remote 📅 Elternzeitvertretung ab Oktober 2025, befristet bis 31.12.2026 – mit Option auf Verlängerung Worum geht’s konkret? In dieser Position verbindest du Kommunikation, Community-Arbeit und Projektmanagement. DEINE AUFGABEN Kommunikation (ca. 50 %) ➡️ Betreuung und Weiterentwicklung unserer Kommunikationskanäle (Social Media, Website, Newsletter). ➡️ Content Creation für LinkedIn, Instagram & Co. – unterstützt durch unser Team und AI-Tools ➡️ Pflege und Weiterentwicklung unserer Website (WordPress). ➡️ Entwicklung und Umsetzung kleiner Kampagnen und Visuals (z. B. mit Canva). ➡️ Beantwortung von Anfragen und Ansprechpartner*in für externe Kommunikation Projektmanagement & Community (ca. 50 %) ➡️ Koordination der Leadership Academy (Ausschreibung, Auswahl, Betreuung der Fellows, Veranstaltungsorganisation, Reporting, Zusammenarbeit mit Partnern). ➡️ Unterstützung des Teams von AlumNode, einer digitalen Alumni-Plattform für Wissenschaftler*innen (Event-Organisation, Community-Kommunikation, Teamarbeit) ➡️ Mitwirkung bei der Organisation weiterer Veranstaltungen und im Office-Management (in kleinerem Umfang) Was wir suchen: ➡️ Erfahrung in Kommunikation, Social Media, Projektmanagement (auch durch Engagement), eine strukturierte Arbeitsweise, Neugier auf Wissenschaft, Spaß an Teamarbeit – und sehr gute Deutsch- und Englischkenntnisse. Was wir bieten: ➡️ Sinnvolle Arbeit an der Schnittstelle von Wissenschaft, Gesellschaft und Stiftungen ➡️ Gestaltungsspielraum und flache Hierarchien ➡️ Gleitzeit, Remote-Möglichkeiten, Jobticket, 30 Urlaubstage (bei VZÄ) Jetzt bewerben bis zum 27.07.2025 ➡️ Zu Ausschreibung & Online-Formular: https://lnkd.in/e9FaCK4C Wir freuen uns besonders über Bewerbungen von Menschen mit vielfältigen Perspektiven und Biografien. Auch wenn du nicht alle Anforderungen erfüllst: Wenn du motiviert bist und Entwicklungspotenzial mitbringst, bist du bei uns richtig.

📣 Open Call: Top-Talents-Track - Turning research into impact — with a bold idea and the right support. In research, ideas often stay in the lab or on paper. The Top-Talents-Track by Young Entrepreneurs in Science invites you to take yours further. This free, three-month program is designed for early-career researchers from any discipline who have a concrete idea — and are ready to explore its potential as a product, service, or initiative. What makes this opportunity different? ✅ Kick-off in Berlin — connect with peers and mentors in person (travel costs covered) ✅ Expert-led workshops — from AI and design thinking to legal essentials and funding strategy ✅ Career talks with role models — get honest insights into starting up or innovating from within ✅ Personalised 1:1 consultations — refine your idea and chart your next steps ✅ Peer exchange — learn, test, and build alongside 19 other researchers ✅ Visibility — gain exposure via YES platforms and ➡️ be invited to the #FallingWallsSummit The Top-Talents-Track is for researchers who: • have no prior entrepreneurial experience, • Have a concrete idea but no prior entrepreneurial experience. • Demonstrate innovative thinking and a commitment to advancing their field or project. • Are proactive, collaborative, and eager to contribute to the program’s community.  🗓 Applications open until 30 June 2025 🎤 Submit a short audio pitch + CV + form 📅 Programme runs from September to November 2025

Worth a bookmark: Nature Magazine published a concise survival guide for researchers thinking about prioritizing #onlinepresence. “Stay safe from online hate with these five tips” distils hard-won lessons from public-health scholars, cybersecurity advocates and policy experts who’ve lived through doxxing, data theft and conspiracy-fuelled campaigns. Why does this matter? Participating in online forums and social media opens doors for #collaboration and #knowledgesharing, but it also means encountering critical or strongly held viewpoints. By adopting practical digital safety habits, we can continue to contribute to these important #conversations with #confidence and #resilience. Research shows that informed digital practices—such as managing privacy settings and using reporting tools—enable users to shape their own online experiences. Here are four practical insights for safeguarding ourselves and our work: ✅ Seek Help and Build Community ➡️ Many institutions offer privacy and #digitalsafety resources, and organizations like the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) and Ford Foundation provide additional guidance. Sharing experiences and strategies with colleagues can strengthen our collective #awareness and support. ✅ Actively Scrub Your Online Presence ➡️ Regularly review what personal information is available about you online. In some regions, #legalframeworks support the removal of sensitive data; elsewhere, manual requests or specialized services can help. Proactively managing your digital footprint is a straightforward way to enhance peace of mind. ✅ Practice Cybersecurity Hygiene ➡️ Using strong, unique #passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and keeping #work and #personalaccounts separate are foundational habits. These measures, along with being cautious about unfamiliar links or requests, help reduce exposure to common online risks. ✅Encrypt and Protect Your Data ➡️ Backing up important files and using #encryption tools are effective ways to safeguard #research and #communication. For sensitive topics, consider secure messaging apps and, where appropriate, open data sharing to foster transparency and trust. Our takeaway: Not just research excellence but also a culture of mutual support and digital mindfulness are important skills to develop. By sharing practical tips and staying informed, we can help each other navigate today’s online landscape with confidence. ➡️ What approaches have you or your teams found effective for managing your digital presence and online interactions?

🔍 Ever heard of #research #management? If you’re deep in #academia, chances are you have. But like the #WissZeitVG or #AI, it's something many know of – yet few can clearly define. And maybe that’s okay. What matters more is that we need smart, courageous, and collaborative people across #research, #administration, and #management – people who are ready to support #science from new angles. As Mina Gouti put it so beautifully: Serving science takes all of us. ➡️ Right now, the research landscape is shifting: 🔹Scarce resources 🔹Increasing internationalization 🔹Growing pressure to justify impact 🔹Technological disruption 🔹Political & societal uncertainty ➡️ So the message is: Research management isn’t a Plan B to a professorship – it’s a distinct career path that should align with your strengths and values. 💡Thinking about making the switch? Here are our top tips: ✅ Don’t shy away from temporary positions or parental leave cover roles – getting started is what counts. ✅ Be visible, and proactively ask for job shadowing opportunities. ✅ No need for a full degree at the start – focus on building relevant skills, such as: 🔹Prompt engineering 🔹Impact assessment 🔹Budget and finance in academia 🔹Agile project management ➡️ If you're a researcher ready to shape the future of science from a new perspective – research management might be your next big move.