Start Planning Your Career in 2025
This one-of-a-kind workshop series is a career development program tailored to your goals. Whether you aim for academia or industry, this workshop series provides targeted guidance, skills training, and support.
June 11, 2025 from 2 - 5 PM:
Kick-off Keynote on "Career Paths of Postdocs and PhDs in the Natural Sciences: Where Do They Go?" by Dr. Alexander Britz
What happens after the PhD or postdoc? One of the most common questions researchers face is: “Will you stay in academia or move to industry?” But are those really the only options?
In this keynote lecture, we’ll explore the diverse career trajectories of researchers in the natural sciences after their academic training. Drawing on data and real-world examples, we’ll uncover the sectors, roles, and opportunities that PhDs and postdocs pursue beyond the lab bench. Which job titles do they hold? When and how do they undergo transitions, e.g., to advanced positions in or outside academia? What skills are most in demand? And how are emerging developments—like AI—reshaping the career landscape?
Whether you're at a career crossroads or simply curious about the paths others have taken, this session will offer a broader view of what's possible. The lecture will conclude with an extended interactive segment designed to foster open discussion, reflection, and peer exchange.
Program Structure:
Timeline:
STAGE 1: CAREER MAPPING
- June 11, 2025, 2 - 5 PM: Kickoff Keynote: Career Paths of PhDs and Postdocs in the Natural Sciences: Where do they go?, Seminar Room 3, Building 1b (Campus Bahrenfeld)
- 24 July, 2025, 10:30 AM - 5:30 PM: Workshop on 'How do I decide the right career path for me?'
STAGE 2 & 3: Skills Training and Opportunity Exploration
- August - December 2025: 2 - 3 mini-workshops and group check-ins
Stage 1: Career Mapping: First, you define your career goals with expert support. This can be within academia, or outside in data science, project management, consulting, science management, research and developement etc.
Stage 2: Skills Training: Then, depending on your career goals, we will divide you into smaller groups and invite trainers and experts to help you build the skills you need to enhance your portfolio.
Stage 3: Opportunity Exploration: Finally, we will analyze job market opportunities, build compelling CVs and LinkedIn profiles, and develop strategies to reach out to professionals with the guidance of experts. We will invite also alumni from different fields to share their insights.
What sets this workshop series apart:
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Small Groups: Join peers with similar goals as you for a more cohesive learning experience.
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Flexible Program: Each mini-workshop is planned based on ongoing discussions and feedback, ensuring that the content remains relevant and addresses your career goals effectively.
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Tailored Guidance : Academic and non-academic career guidance by experts.
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Regular Check-Ins: Monthly Zoom sessions to monitor progress, tailor workshops and provide feedback.
Conditions for Participation:
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Attend all workshops and activities (planned based on *your* availability as much as possible, with suitable alternatives if you are unavailable).
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Actively engage in monthly group check-ins.
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Provide regular feedback to help improve current and future programs.
Why Join? We are here to support you to make 2025 your year of growth and success by taking charge of your career!
Note: Preference will be given to postdocs from CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter and Quantum Universe. Senior doctoral researchers may also apply.
