Innovative career pathways
Postdoc @ Leuphana
As the place for academic qualification, the Graduate School is the interdisciplinary contact point for all postdocs at Leuphana. The Graduate School bundles relevant topics for postdocs, develops new formats together with other actors and offers interdisciplinary networking and communication, financial support as well as advice and qualification offers. In the latter field of work, the Graduate School focuses on non-scientific careers, while academic personnel development focuses on coaching and advice for academic careers. Other points of contact for postdocs in interdisciplinary qualification are the Research Service, the Equal Opportunities Office with its mentoring programme, the Teaching Service and Leuphana's Cooperation Service.
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.
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.
GradSchool Newsletter // Doc & Postdocs
A regular update on open postdoctoral fellowships and new workshop formats at Leuphana, on conferences and research stays worldwide and on funding programmes is bundled in the Graduate School Newsletter "GradSchool Newsletter // Docs & Postdocs", which is published about four to five times a year. Subscribe right here!
Qualification Fund
The Graduate School supports postdcos of Leuphana in various research qualification measures within the framework of the faculty and interdisciplinary qualification fund.
If, for example, you would like to attend a conference, plan a short-term research stay or organise a conference yourself, you can apply for financial support throughout the year.
GradSkills – Competence and career development
Leuphana offers a comprehensive range of continuing education courses for developing interdisciplinary skills. These are open to academics at all levels and prepare you for careers within and beyond scientific and academic institutions. The courses available are listed in the GradSkills - Competencies 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 Appreciation Week
The Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) aims to recognise the (research) achievements of postdocs in Germany and to promote networking opportunities among postdocs. To this end, seminars, workshops and lectures are open throughout Germany at a large number of German universities, colleges and research institutions specifically for postdocs.
Leuphana is participating this year with three events:
- How to get into the non-academic German job market
- Black Box Call
- Let’s Talk About: Careers outside of science
The next PAW will take place with the participation of the Leuphana Graduate School from 18-22 September 2023.
Careers in the public sector and business
Additional qualifications for a career outside university – that is what the "Leadership in Gesellschaft und Wirtschaft" certificate programme is all about. You can find detailed information on the course content and duration on our certificate programme pages. Please note: this programme is only available 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.