Impulse Series Let's Talk Career

A doctorate does not only qualify you for a career in academia. The specialist knowledge acquired during your doctorate and the skills developed in the research process form a basis for numerous professional fields. With the “Let's Talk Career” series, the Graduate School offers doctoral students and postdocs a platform for exchange with Leuphana alumni who have pursued career paths outside academia after completing their doctorates.

ONLINE: January 21, 2026, 4:00 – 5:30 pm

What doors does a doctorate open outside of academia? Many!

In addition to subject-specific expertise gained through research, doctoral graduates also acquire many interdisciplinary skills that enable them to enter a wide range of fields and take on responsibility. This versatility makes two questions particularly relevant: Which field is right for me? What paths will lead me to this goal?
The online networking event “Let's talk career” is entering its next round and offers an insight into the professional biographies of alumni with doctorates in the humanities. We talk about their career start outside the university, about areas of work and fields of activity, about what to expect and what surprises them in their professional (re)orientation, and what was particularly helpful in this process.

Registration deadline: January 18, 2026

To register

To provide more perspectives and experience reports on diverse career paths, we are broadening our horizons and cooperating with other universities. “Let's talk Career meets…” is a joint offering from the graduate institutions of the universities of Clausthal, Jena, Leipzig, Magdeburg, Münster, and Lüneburg.

Participants from other universities are very welcome!

ONLINE: November 10, 2025, 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. | Paths into business

The paths to a non-academic career could not be more different, as demonstrated by the two scientists who will report on their experiences of changing jobs from academia to the private sector at this event.

Both represent typical and common transitions from academia to the professional world. Julita Emersleben remained a research assistant at Clausthal University of Technology for a long time, relying on so-called “chain contracts” and the completion of her doctorate, until one day the “end” was suddenly announced and the move to industry became inevitable.

Without having completed her doctorate, she managed this transition after overcoming a few hurdles and has ultimately been very satisfied for many years. Dr. Eva Prumbohm, on the other hand, describes her start at a medium-sized company as an exciting and instructive time in which she was able to gain valuable experience and apply her knowledge in practice.

Both scientists are familiar with the issue of work-life balance, which is so common for many women. In this opening session of the series on non-academic careers, the two scientists will share with participants how they navigated these changes and how, despite hurdles and obstacles, they ultimately succeeded in mastering the transition with confidence.

Registration until November 7, 2025, by email to postdoc-office@tu-clausthal.de or via the registration form [you will leave the Leuphana website].

ONLINE: March 3, 2026, 9:00 – 10:30 a.m. | From science to science management?

“The field of science management emerged in the 1990s and has grown rapidly since then.”

— Müller, M., Grewe, O. (2020). Wissenschaftsmanagement als Beruf. Strategien für den Einstieg (Science Management as a Profession: Strategies for Getting Started), Frankfurt/New York: Campus, p. 10.

But how does one make the transition from science to science management? In this discussion, experienced science managers will talk about their personal careers, the challenges and opportunities involved in entering science management, and provide valuable insights into their everyday working lives. They will talk about how they discovered the field for themselves, what skills are in demand, and what interested parties should consider when deciding to enter this field. Feel free to drop by for a cup of tea and ask the panel your questions!

Organizer: Centre for Emerging Researchers (University of Münster)

Contact person: Rebecca Meier (rebecca.meier@uni-muenster.de)

Zoom link [You are leaving the Leuphana website]

Meeting ID: 624 8522 1584

Access code: 426583

ONLINE: May 05, 2026, 13:00 – 14:30 Uhr | From Academia to Industry

Are you thinking about leaving academia after completing your PhD or postdoc? You are not alone. The majority of PhD candidates do not stay in academia for their entire career. In this talk, three STEM alumni, who have successfully transitioned from academia to a career in industry, will share their experiences. They will give valuable advice on job hunting and application processes, career development and working outside of academia.

Contact person: Gabi Schopf (gabi.schopf@uni-jena.de)

ONLINE: September 15, 2026, 14:00 – 15:30 Uhr | Science meets Entrepreneurship

How do you make the transition from science to entrepreneurship? In this “coffee conversation”, two founders talk about their personal journeys between research, funding and start-up development – authentically, approachably and with plenty of room for questions.

To kick things off, Dr. Christian Sonnendecker, co-founder of ESTER Biotech, will talk about his current transitional phase: still employed at Leipzig university and funded by EXIST Research Transfer, his team is already working intensively on the spin-off. He will provide insights into how a scientific idea becomes a company – and what opportunities and challenges this transition holds.

A female founder (to be announced) will add to the perspective and show one example for how female scientists are shaping their path to self-employment.

The event offers scientists considering to leave academia, interested in founding or just in general the opportunity to talk directly to these two role models and ask their own questions.

Organizer: Academic staff development, University of Leipzig

Contact person: Dr. Nicole Koburger (nicole.koburger@zv.uni-leipzig.de)