How to Play the German Research System and Innovation System A Hands-on Career Guide for Early Career Researchers

The workshop provides an overview of the German research an innovation system and addresses the particularities of conducting research in higher education institutions, non-university organisations and the private sector. It explores essential professional skills to become an independent, internationally visible researcher and raises strategic issues in career development, such as geographic, thematic and intersectoral mobility. The program aims to assess the current researcher position, to identify individual career goals and to develop a road map for how to achieve them.

By participating in the program, you will be better equipped to:

• navigate the German research and innovation system
• understand current political developments and longer-term trends
• appreciate what is important and essential in future roles as researcher in academia, non-university research organisations and the private sector
• relate personal scientific ambitions to strategic objectives of your host institution
• respond to the criteria and perspectives of decision-making bodies when considering research leadership positions
• set realistic goals for career development and understand the importance of monitoring progress towards them.

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The overall program consists of a one-day workshop and a 45 min individual consultancy session on the following day. It will enable participants to act more effectively with respect to achieving their scientific ambitions and medium- to long-term career goals.

Target group: The program is designed both for national and international doctoral candidates who are in the second half of their doctorate. The workshop will be presented in English and is limited to 16 participants. 

This course will be conducted online.

Technical requirements: Access to internet, laptop, camera, microphone, zoom (potentially).

Your email address will be forwarded to the trainer for organizational reasons.

Information about the trainers:

Thomas Koch is a research management consultant, business trainer and coach. Holding a PhD in physical chemistry from the UK, he has 11 years of international research experience. For 13 years he has worked as a research manager and senior administrator at the universities in Bochum (RUB) and Munich (LMU), delivering high-level support and advisory services for both researchers and university top management. His professional focus covers research strategy, external research funding, knowledge and technology transfer as well as early career researcher development. In 2016, he started up his own consultancy, academic futures, to provide hands-on workshops and individual guidance for researchers to realise their research ideas and career objectives. He also supports higher education institutions and research institutes in strategy processes and organisational development.

Dr. Anke Soemer studied Public Administration at the Universities of Konstanz and Ottawa/Canada and obtained her PhD at the Technische Universität München (TUM). She serves as Science Policy Advisor in the Presidential Office at the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, responsible for the cooperation with other research organisations and universities (Allianz der Wissenschaftsorganisationen). She held a variety of senior positions at the Max-Planck-Gesellschaft before (2000-2015), inter alia in HR Management (Head of the Unit for Young Scientists, International Max-Planck-Research Schools, Diversity and Training and Education) and the coordination of Presidential Commissions. In addition, she was Managing Director of the Internationale Begegnungszentrum der Wissenschaften München e.V. (IBZ). Anke Soemer has a qualification as Business Coach (Deutscher Verband für Coaching and Training certified) and is working as a trainer and coach dedicated to the interests and concerns of scientists in academia with a particular focus on career development, technology transfer and leadership.