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

📣 Exploring funding after your PhD? Join the next DFG online talk. Germany’s largest independent research funding organization, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - German Research Foundation, supports researchers at all stages between the #doctorate and #professorship. To help early career researchers get oriented, the DFG offers regular online info talks that give an overview of #funding #programs and answer your questions. Next talk up: ➡️ DFG Funding Opportunities for Postdocs 📅 When: September 15, 2025, 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. (CEST) via Webex (link will be posted shortly before the event) ➡️ What to expect: ✅ Overview of postdoc funding opportunities, including the #WalterBenjamin Programme, the #EmmyNoether Programme, the #Heisenberg Programme, and the #IndividualResearchGrant. ✅ Guidance on preparing a #proposal and understanding the #review #process. ✅ Space for your questions and discussion with DFG representatives. PhD candidates & postdocs of all disciplines and research support staff are welcome to join. No registration is required. ➡️ Details and access here: https://lnkd.in/eS3ncDRZ If you are planning your next career step, these talks can help you see which DFG program may fit your path.

🎉 Big news from our community: two alumni of the Leadership Academy have been awarded European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants ➡️ Max Birk, Associate Professor for Game-based Digital Mental Health Technologies at Eindhoven University of Technology, alumnus of the 8th #LeadershipAcademy. His project #GAMECHAR will use AI to analyze gameplay and distinguish between restorative and harmful play, with impact for research, policy, and design. Max and his daughter visited us in Berlin last week, just as the ERC news came out. It was wonderful to reconnect and celebrate this achievement together in person! ➡️ Sascha Feldmann, Assistant Professor in Physical Chemistry at EPFL & Research Group Leader at Harvard University, alumnus of the 6th #LeadershipAcademy. With #MACHIRO, his team will advance ultrafast microscopy to study semiconductors and explore pathways for highly energy-efficient technologies. 👏 Congratulations to both on this well-deserved recognition! And for those interested: applications for the 10th Leadership Academy will open soon, stay tuned! ____________ The GSO #LeadershipAcademy supports researchers in developing leadership skills for academia and beyond - made possible through the generous funding of the Klaus Tschira Stiftung.

Becoming a Junior Group Leader: How to Gain Independence after Returning from Abroad?   What does #academic #independence look like in Germany? For many, it begins not with a professorship but with #junior #group #leadership, a stage that combines new freedoms with growing responsibilities.   ➡️ Robert Hein knows this shift well. After postdocs in the UK and Netherlands, he returned to Germany through the #NRWRückkehrprogramm. Around the same time, he also secured a Liebig Fellowship in Chemistry. Today he is Junior Professor of #Organic #Chemistry at the University of Münster, leading a group that studies how molecules respond to electrical stimulation, linking basic chemistry to #materials #science.   ❓ What shaped his first year? 1️⃣ Strong #mentorship at the host institute 2️⃣ Experience across different #academic #systems 3️⃣ German #conferences as re-entry points 4️⃣ Hands-on support from #administration These remind us: independence is not a sudden leap. It grows step by step, shaped by networks, expectations, and negotiation.   Tips from Robert on applying and leading after the #return: ➡️ Set #expectations realistically ✅ Independence does not mean spending all day on your own research. #Teaching, #supervision, and #administration quickly become part of the role. He notes: "I knew I wouldn't have much time to do research on my own, so any chance I get feels like a bonus."   ➡️ Use #networks as anchors ✅ A strong network can ease the return after years abroad. Trusted #contacts, #mentors, and #conferences in Germany helped Robert re-establish himself.   ➡️ Know your #evaluation #benchmarks ✅ Mid-term reviews are part of most early-career positions. Robert’s benchmarks were clear: #publications, third-party #funding, positive #teaching evaluations. ✅ Tip: Always check that the criteria are transparent and realistic.   ➡️ #Negotiate beyond the obvious ✅ Tenure-track is not always possible, but other #support is, such as lab space or equipment. ✅ Tip: Use the funding you bring (e.g. Liebig, Emmy Noether, NRW Program) to gain leverage with host institutions.   ➡️ Be ready to match your #project to the #call ✅ Some programs have fixed #themes, others set yearly ones. Because Robert had already thought ahead, his ideas fit quickly when the NRW Program call came: "I didn't have to invent something new; I had already been thinking in that direction."   Robert recalls that even something as small as keeping to the 20-minute limit in the #interview made a difference - advice he followed, and it paid off. His path shows that independence is built gradually, with details that add up and open doors to leading your own group. __________ 📌 About the #NRWRückkehrprogramm 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 five years to establish research groups in North Rhine-Westphalia. Next #OpenCall coming soon!

How to Navigate an Academic Career in Germany and Who Can Help? For many #postdocs - especially for those coming to #Germany from abroad, questions around #career paths, #legal #frameworks, and #institutional #expectations can feel overwhelming: ❓ What are my real options after the #PhD? What does it take to become a #professor? How do I #negotiate an #appointment package or even understand my #contract? ✅ One place with answers and concrete #support is the @German Association of University Professors and Lecturers - Deutscher Hochschulverband (DHV). With over 33,900 members, #DHV is the largest professional body representing academics in Germany. And it’s not just for professors: postdocs, junior professors, habilitation candidates, and research group leaders are explicitly encouraged to join. We spoke with Katharina Lemke (Head of the Legal and Consulting Department) and Roya D. (Head of Marketing and Sponsorship) about what postdocs, especially #international #researchers, should know about DHV membership. Here’s what stood out: ➡️ #Legal & #career #advice ✅ Tailored guidance on appointment negotiations, contract terms (including fixed-term rules like #WissZeitVG), salary frameworks, and civil service regulations (Beamtenstatus). ➡️ Personalized #coaching ✅ One-on-one support for trial lectures, research and teaching concepts, application strategies, and even mock appointment interviews. ➡️ Weekly #professorship #listings ✅ A curated and personalized list of open professorship positions across Germany, bundled and sent directly to your inbox. ➡️ Seminars & video #training ✅ 250+ workshops annually or on-demand formats on topics like academic career paths, salary and appointment negotiations, leadership and teaching skills, and publication strategies. Many of these services are available in English, and coaching is often adapted for international researchers unfamiliar with the #German #system. ❓ Why does it matter? ✅ Because legal frameworks, contract types (like the WissZeitVG), and civil service rules (Beamtenstatus) are complex and your career decisions have long-term consequences. DHV helps you make informed choices. Still exploring your options? Even without membership, you can access explainers on higher education law, salary overviews, and DHV’s #career #newsletter “PLUS.” But if you’re preparing for a professorship or considering a return to Germany, a #membership can make the difference between going in blind or going in prepared. Find more information in the comment section!

✨ Thinking about your next #Career step in #Academia in #Germany? If There’s No Scheme – Create One. For young researchers, that’s the reality. Unlike in some countries, there isn’t one clear tenure-track ladder. You need to shape your own path. At #GAIN2025, we shared what it takes to build an academic career in Germany. GAIN is a conference in the US connecting young researchers with the German Academic System. The key #takeaways: ➡️Know the system ✅Professorship is the only permanent academic track; senior staff scientist roles are rare. HAW-professorships are possible for those with industry experience. ✅Three main routes qualify you: W1 junior professorship, group leader position, habilitation. None guarantee a professorship - they only make you eligible. ✅Tenure track is becoming more common and can often be negotiated. Germany’s Länder set many of the rules - structures vary. ➡️Know your research vision ✅Excellence alone is not enough. ✅Be clear about your long-term goals and why your research matters. ✅A strong vision positions you for independence. ➡️Communicate your fit ✅Learn what a host institution is looking for. ✅Adapt your vision to their environment and strengths. ✅Show how your work will add value. ➡️Build your own system ✅Use schemes such as Emmy Noether or NRW Returning Scholars Program. ✅If none fit, combine opportunities to create your own path. ✅Don’t wait - call research offices, talk to peers, voice your ambitions at conferences. 🔑 Bottom line: In Germany, there’s no fixed scheme - but that means you can design your own. Be strategic, proactive, and visible.

📣 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 or at intersections of #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, the program 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: Susanne Wintzheimer, KT Boost Fellow (2022–2024). During her fellowship, she advanced her research at Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg and the Fraunhofer Institute for Silicate Research ISC. Today, she is Chair of Particle-Based Materials Chemistry (PBMC) in the Department of Chemistry and Pharmacy at FAU. Like Susanne, you can use the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund 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!

Fifteen Bold Ideas. One Boost for Each: Meet the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund Fellows 2025 With the KT Boost 6 series, we’re spotlighting fifteen researchers whose projects push the boundaries of their fields. Each #KTBoostfellow represents not only bold scientific ideas but also the curiosity, persistence, and leadership that shape the future of research. Three Questions to… Anthi Krontira, Ph.D., Postdoctoral Researcher at Helmholtz Munich & Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München / Neurodevelopment. What if the brain could #regenerate #cortical #neurons after injury or disease? Anthodesmi’s project explores whether progenitor cells can be maintained beyond birth to extend #cortical #neurogenesis into postnatal life. Her aim: to uncover ways of enabling #brainrepair by replacing neurons that the adult brain cannot naturally regenerate. ❓What problem does your research tackle? ➡️In most mammals, #neurogenesis, the process of generating neurons from progenitor cells, ends around birth. The cerebral cortex, which wraps the brain’s hemispheres and is essential for #cognitive #functions, lacks adult neurogenesis. Consequently, cortical neurons lost during injury or disease aren’t naturally replaced. My project will investigate whether we can #maintain #progenitor #cells that retain the ability to produce #cortical #neurons #after #birth. ✅ The goal is to extend cortical neurogenesis into #postnatal #life and potentially adulthood, enabling cortical neuron regeneration when needed. ❓How does the #KTBoostFund support you and your #project idea? The support from the Klaus Tschira Boost Fund at this #critical #careerstage of my career provides me with the resources, time, and training necessary to prepare me for the transition to #independent positions. The funding enables me to pursue a technically challenging cortical neurogenesis project with access to dedicated #technical #help. With reduced technical demands, I can #focus on #advanced #responsibilities like student #mentorship and #strategic project #planning. The fund will also support #conference attendance and open access publishing, fostering international collaborations both now and in the future. ❓If I had more time for things other than research, I … ➡️……would volunteer at a dog shelter and walk dogs regularly; I would travel as much as possible with my family and friends and I would spend more time near the sea. _______________________________ 🚀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 #Biology, #Chemistry, #ComputerScience, #Geosciences, #Mathematics, #Neurosciences, or #Physics. 📍 The Call 2026 is open until October 1, 2025, 23:59 (CEST). #BoostFellows #KTBoostFund

📣 Join Our Next AlumNode Coffee Break: Leading Research Across Borders and Disciplines: Building Collaborations, Projects, and Communities ❓ How can researchers successfully lead projects, build collaborations, and maintain visibility when moving between countries, institutions, and disciplines? In our next #AlumNode #CoffeeBreak, Burcu Gürbüz shares her perspective as an applied mathematician who has worked and collaborated in Türkiye, Portugal, Germany, France, Spain, Japan, Indonesia, Poland, and the United States. Burcu will reflect on: ✅ Adapting to diverse academic cultures ✅ Building strong networks through publishing, editing, and organizing international conferences ✅ Balancing research, teaching, supervision, and service ✅ Mentoring younger researchers and fostering inclusive scientific communities ✅ Leading interdisciplinary research in applied mathematics ✔️ This session is for researchers from #alldisciplines and anyone asking what it takes to #build and #sustain an #international, #interdisciplinary #researchcareer - and how to do it with clarity and care. About Burcu Gürbüz: Burcu earned her PhD in Applied Mathematics in Türkiye and has since worked and conducted research across countries and continents! She has published extensively, held editorial and reviewing roles, and organized international conferences. Passionate about #mentoring and #community #building, she is dedicated to promoting #diversity in #mathematics and strengthening #collaborations across borders and disciplines. 📆 When: Thursday, September 25, 4:00 – 5:00 pm (CEST) via Zoom Register here: https://lnkd.in/eDkb6kpZ ➡️ To complete the registration process, be sure to log in to your AlumNode account.

📣 Open Call: Are you an early-career researcher with big ideas and a drive for impact? The Global Young Academy (GYA) is now accepting applications for its 2025 intake. This is a chance to join a truly international network of outstanding young scholars who not only excel in their fields but also want to make a difference beyond their research. ✅ Who can apply? ➡️ Researchers from all disciplines — natural, physical, and social sciences, arts and humanities. ➡️ Postdocs, junior professors, research group leaders, and scholars working in government, NGOs, or industry. ➡️ Applicants born in or after 1985 with a PhD (special rules apply for those born earlier — see call). ✅ What the GYA offers: ➡️ A global platform to influence science policy, science diplomacy, and research culture. ➡️ Opportunities to collaborate internationally, across disciplines, and beyond academia. ➡️ A community that values openness, diversity, and impact. 💡 What’s expected: Members contribute ~4 hours/month to projects, committees, and events — and are encouraged to attend the Annual General Meeting (scheduled for June 28 – July3, 2026 in Bremen, Germany). 📅 Deadline: September 15, 2025, 18:00 UTC 📍 Application details + FAQs: Link In Bio! The GYA explicitly encourages applications from women, underrepresented groups, and diverse disciplines and regions. 👉 If you’re passionate about research and its role in society, this is your chance to shape the conversation globally.

📣 Join our #PAW2025 Webinar - GSO at Postdoc Appreciation Week Germany #Careers #Beyond #Academia: Where to Start & How to Find Inspiration Making the leap beyond academia can feel daunting — but it doesn’t have to be a shot in the dark. This session will help postdocs and PhDs understand how to translate their skills, explore new career paths, and navigate application processes outside the university system. Hosted by Birte Seffert, who leads career advice & coaching services at GSO*, the session will give you a first set of tools to: ✅ Recognize how your academic skills transfer into business, public, or non-profit roles ✅ Understand job titles and career paths outside academia ✅ Write a CV and cover letter that speak to non-academic employers ✅ Explore networking strategies and learn how LinkedIn can actually work for you ➡️ Because moving beyond academia isn’t about starting from scratch. It’s about #recognizing the #value of what you already bring — and learning how to #connect it to the #opportunities out there. 📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, September 17 · 4 - 5:15pm CEST 💡 Part of #PAW2025 — a week dedicated to recognizing and celebrating postdocs across Germany. Register via the link in the first comment!