Innovative career pathways
Postdoc Phases in Germany
In Germany, a distinction is made in the context of career planning between an early and late postdoc phase. The first phase lasts up to two years after the successful doctorate and is also called the orientation phase. In this phase, projects from the doctoral period are often still being completed, the dissertation is published and professional (re)orientation takes place. This initial period is also used to clarify one's own career goals and to apply for postdoctoral positions, fellowships or positions outside the academic system. As part of the strategic planning of an academic career, postdoctoral researchers usually change universities or research institutions during this phase and use the first years after the doctorate to work out their own research profile. Finally, in this phase, postdocs take on tasks in teaching, in the supervision of theses and initial leadership responsibilities.
The transition to the "late" or "advanced postdoc phase" is sometimes fluid and refers to the phase in which postdocs advance and complete their habilitation (or equivalent). Experienced postdocs have their first interviews for a (junior) professorship in this phase.
The majority of university employment contracts in the postdoc phase following the doctorate are temporary, as this is an orientation and/or qualification phase. The goal of qualification can be a (junior) professorship; however, this career goal is only available as an option for a minority of postdocs due to the limited number of professorial positions throughout Germany. A career outside academia is therefore promoted, supported and valued at Leuphana just as much as a career in academia. The Graduate School in particular focuses on non-academic careers and actively supports doctoral students and postdocs on their way by offering career coaching, the certificate programme Leadership in Business and Society, financial support for research stays and conference participation from the qualification fund, and career and networking events.
©Sandra Wienand/Leuphana
Postdoc @ Leuphana: first steps
Initiation and Funding
Similar to the initiation of a doctoral project, the focus is on contact with one or more professors at Leuphana to discuss the research project as a postdoc.
If you would like to spend your time as a postdoc at Leuphana, you can find out about currently open positions in research and teaching here, as well as open scholarships here. The regulations on the awarding of scholarships at Leuphana University of Lüneburg (Gazette 07/14) can be found here.
If you are interested in third-party funded funding opportunities for the postdoc phase, you will find bundled information on calls for proposals from national and international funding bodies in the regularly published newsletter FIT (Informationsdienst Forschung, Internationales, Transfer).
Finally, the major research funding institutions offer various funding programmes for postdocs. Applications can be submitted via the Research Service. A selection of research funding programmes with usually year-round opportunities to apply is summarised below.
QUALIFICATION FUND - RESEARCH FUNDING FOR DOCTORAL CANDIDATES AND POSTDOCS
With the Qualification Fund, the Graduate School offers its researchers in the qualification phase a generous instrument to network at external conferences, in external summer schools or at international universities as part of a research stay and to further develop their academic profile.
GradSkills Workshops – FOR MASTERS, DOCTORATES AND POSTDOCS
Leuphana offers a comprehensive, open continuing education programme for interdisciplinary skills that offers half-day to two-day workshops for Master's students, doctoral candidates and postdocs and prepares them for career paths within and outside academic institutions. The university-wide programmes offered by various institutions are listed in the GradSkills Workshops Portal.
Internal scholarships
The Office for Equal Opportunities offers scholarships to female early career researchers (postdocs) for stays abroad or the establishment of international tandems. Further information can be found on the website of the Office for Equal Oppotunities.
Postdoc Network
Network
The German Postdoc Network has been in development since spring 2024 as a comprehensive platform for the representation of interests, exchange, information and networking of postdocs in institutions of the German science system. Funding for the development of the platform has been provided by the Volkswagen Foundation for a period of three years. The project is coordinated by Helmholtz Munich and the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry in Munich.
https://www.helmholtz-munich.de/en/gpn
Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW)
Another initiative to strengthen the position of postdocs and raise their profile is Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW). Originating in the USA, the week has been taking place in Germany since 2022, traditionally in September. During this week, postdocs can meet each other virtually and in person, exchange ideas and find orientation and further training in a broad range of topics.
https://paw-germany.de/
Leadership Certificate: FOR DOCTORAL CANDIDATES AND POSTDOCS
Gaining clarity about your own career prospects, developing a profile and acquiring additional qualifications in the areas of management and communication for a career outside the university - this is what the certificate programme "Leadership in Society and Business" stands for. Up to 12 advanced doctoral candidates and early postdocs from Leuphana can apply for the programme each year. Note: The certificate programme is only offered in German.
Careers in research and academia
Doctoral students and postdocs seeking careers in research and academia can also contact the Personnel Development for Academic Staff.