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

📣 Call for Applications: Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Are you a postdoctoral researcher ready to take the next bold step in your career? The Klaus Tschira Boost Fund is now accepting applications for its 7th cohort — offering up to €120,000 in flexible funding to help you turn ambitious research ideas into reality. Who can apply? Postdocs who: 🔸 work in #Biology, #Chemistry, #ComputerScience, #Geosciences, #Mathematics, #Neurosciences, or #Physics 🔸 are employed at a public university, university of applied sciences, or non-university research institution in Germany 🔸 do not yet hold a permanent or tenured position 🔸 are not already funded by a junior research group program As a collaborative initiative between GSO and the Klaus Tschira Stiftung is designed to boost scientific careers and promote early independence for postdocs through: ✅ The freedom to pursue your own research agenda ✅ Support to build international collaborations and networks ✅ Personalized mentoring for professional and career development Pictured: Claudia Alfes, mathematician and KT Boost alumna. With support from the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund, she established her own research group and hosted a conference — a launchpad for her independent research career. Like Claudia, you can use the #KTBoostFund to carve out your own scientific path — whether by advancing a high-risk project, building new collaborations, or shaping the next chapter of your career. 📅 Deadline: October 1, 2025 (11:59 PM CEST) 📆 Project start: Between May 1 and October 1, 2026 Missed our webinar? You can still access the full session with a current fellow and a member of the selection committee here: https://lnkd.in/ekZbpYSt ✅ Find details on eligibility and how to apply in the first comment. 📣 Please share with colleagues who should know about this opportunity! #PostdocFunding #KlausTschiraBoostFund #GSO Joana Grah

When failure isn’t the end — but the start of better science. 📣 Join us for the next AlumNode Lecture: FailForward: Building Lessons from Acknowledging Negative Knowledge 🗓️ Thursday, August 7, 2025 | 16:00–17:00 CEST | Online via Zoom ❓ What can we learn when experiments don’t go as planned? ❓ How can openly sharing “what didn’t work” strengthen the scientific process? In this session, Tanya Shreedhar, Ph.D. — AlumNode member and postdoc at TU Delft — invites us to rethink how we approach #failureinresearch. Drawing from her years of experience organizing the #PerFail #workshop at IEEE PerCom and co-authoring best practices for publishing negative results in computer science! Tanya makes the case for a cultural shift: ➡️ Failures aren’t dead ends — they’re critical data points ➡️ Negative results can sharpen methods and avoid repetition ➡️ Open dialogue on failure fosters better science — and better mentoring This lecture is for researchers who want to: ✅ Understand why negative results matter in research and how they help avoid future mistakes ✅ Learn how to design studies that give useful insights, even if the hypothesis is wrong ✅ See how negative results improve methods and reveal possible errors ✅ Explore ways to build a research culture that values open discussion of all results 🎤 About the speaker: Tanya works in network resilience and systems research at Delft University of Technology, with previous experience in India, the UK, and across Europe. She’s supported by institutions like the Internet Society Pulse, TCS Research, and #Microsoft Research — and mentors young researchers while advocating for more openness around the realities of research work. Please login to your AlumNode account to register! https://lnkd.in/eBRjEJDh We are looking forward to meeting you there! The AlumNode Team, Isa, Martina, Sofia and Kübra!

Fifteen Bold Ideas. One Boost for Each: Meet the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellows 2025 With Three Questions to… Yitzchak Ben Mocha, Ethologist at Universität Konstanz ❓ Why do some animals raise offspring that aren’t their own — and what can that tell us about cooperation, survival, and social bonds? Yitzchak’s work explores one of the most fascinating phenomena in #behavioral #biology: #cooperative #breeding. His database project Co-BreeD collects and curates high-quality data from hundreds of bird and mammal species — offering new insights into how we live together and support one another. 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? The Cooperative-Breeding Database (Co-BreeD) project provides the research community with a state-of-the-art data about different forms of alloparental care (e.g. #nursing by non-mothers, #carrying of #infants by a #neighbour) in hundreds of species. #Collaboration with dozens of #international #researchers secures fair #acknowledgement, data #reliability & #publication of important natural history data (including from nowadays modified habitats). ❓ How does the #KTBoostFund #support you and your #projectidea? ✅ The KT Boost Fund makes it possible to pursue all three project goals at once: curate high-quality data, ensure fair collaboration and authorship, and build an accessible long-term research tool. It’s a rare opportunity to invest in rigorous science that’s also inclusive and cooperative. ❓ If I had more #time for things #otherthanresearch, I … …would swim, travel the world (with/out my kids), promote environmental conservation. Visit Yitzchaks website to find out more about his research: https://lnkd.in/e3BC-TT2 _________________________________ 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 #NaturalSciences, #Mathematics, and #ComputerScience. ✅ The Call 2026 is open until October 1, 2025, 23:59 (CEST).

📣 Open Call for Junior Professional Officers: Work on global challenges at international organizations! The German government is currently advertising 25 JPO-Positions in more than 22 different international organizations. The Junior Professional Officer (JPO) Program provides a pathway to start your career in such organizations. Relevant fields of study include Social and Political Sciences, Law, Economics and Finance, Natural Sciences, and Engineering. Your Profile: 🔹 University graduates with a Master's or Diploma degree 🔹 German Citizenship 🔹 Two to four years of professional experience 🔹 Excellent English skills The Positions include: 🔹UN Secretariat in New York 🔹EBRD in London 🔹UNODA or ILO in Geneva 🔹World Bank in Washington These are regular employment contracts at the United Nations with a duration of minimum two years. The call for applications ends on August 17, 2025. The detailed call for applications and information about the application procedure can be found on the BFIO website: https://lnkd.in/dYdqs7u #OpenCall #GSO

➡️ You missed the webinar on how to apply for the KT Boost Fund? We recorded it — and packed it with practical advice for researchers who are thinking about submitting a proposal. With Bernhard Renard, head of the Boost Fund selection committee and Lorenz Adlung, Boost Fellow 2023, and #JuniorGroupLeader at Universitätsklinikum Hamburg Eppendorf, to share their perspective and give insights to the selection process. The webinar covers: ➡️ who can apply and what the fund supports? ➡️ what the jury looks for in a strong application? ➡️ how to approach the project sketch and motivation letter? ➡️ what “high-risk” actually means in practice? ➡️ practical tips on budget planning and timing! Four key takeaways: ✅ High-risk doesn’t mean reckless — it means bold and well thought through. The fund supports ideas that may not fit into traditional categories but rest on a solid foundation. ✅ Reviewers look for clarity, originality, and a sense of ownership. ✅ The motivation letter is more than a formality. It’s often where the jury connects with you as a researcher. ✅ There’s no single formula for success. But clarity, specificity, and curiosity go a long way. ▶️ Watch the full recording and get a better sense of how the Boost Fund works — and whether it might be right for you - find the link in the first comment. — The #KTBoostFund, a collaborative initiative between Guidance, Skills & Opportunities for Researchers e.V. (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

#Leadership matters everywhere – but in #academia, it takes on a special role. Because how researchers lead shapes not just teams and projects, but also how knowledge is created, shared, and applied.   At a time when science is under pressure – politically, institutionally, socially – we need people in research who are ready to take responsibility. Not just for results, but for #culture, #collaboration, and the #biggerpicture.   At GSO, we believe leadership is one of the most overlooked – and most needed – skills in academia (and beyond).   There’s a quote that captures it well: 👉 “All problems are leadership problems.” Not because leadership causes them all – but because better leadership helps solve them.   That’s why we created the #GSO #LeadershipAcademy – a program designed for researchers, by people who understand the realities of academic life.   Together, participants work on: ➡️ Self-leadership – identifying purpose, values, and personal leadership styles ➡️ Communication & strategic thinking – within teams, across hierarchies ➡️ Leading others – including employee leadership, lateral leadership, and leading upward   📍Our 9th cohort is currently in session in Berlin - today marks the final day. And once again, it shows: with the right tools and space to reflect, researchers can lead with more clarity, confidence, and impact.   🟡 The next #callforapplications opens soon. If you're working in research and want to strengthen your leadership – or know someone who should – stay tuned.   #LSA9 #GSOLA #LeadershipInScience #AcademicLeadership

✅ Strengthening Research Careers — Together For over 20 years, we’ve partnered with foundations, universities, and research institutions to strengthen both researchers and the environments that support their contribution to science and society. We are an independent, nonprofit organization specializing in 🔹 #CareerDevelopment and #TalentManagement for researchers 🔹 Institutional #advisory and the design of innovative #funding programs 🔹 #Communitybuilding and long-term #alumni engagement Our mission? ➡️ To help you design and implement strategic, people-centered solutions that bridge the gap between research, management, and institutional strategy. We go beyond fellowships and funding — offering tailored support where you need it most: ✔️ Strategic advice and sparring for designing funding, mentoring, or career programs ✔️ Community-building and impact evaluation for long-term engagement ✔️ Consulting and coaching for emerging research groups ✔️ Facilitation, moderation, and custom workshop design ✔️ Targeted communication strategies to attract talent and reach key audiences Whether you're developing new initiatives or scaling existing ones, we’re your collaborative partner — from idea to implementation. ➡️ Find out more details at “Services for Institutions” on our website (link in first comment). Let’s shape sustainable academic careers and research cultures — together. #ResearchCareers #HigherEdStrategy #AcademicLeadership #ResearchSupport #CommunityBuilding #FundingDesign #MentoringPrograms #InstitutionalDevelopment #ResearchManagement

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