In this workshop, early career researchers will learn in detail about the German academic system and its career paths. The German system is coined, on the one hand, by an unparalleled level of freedom at professorial level, safeguarded by the Basic Law for the Federal Republic of Germany. On the other hand, we have very few permanent positions for postdocs and a special act on fixed-term employment only for academia. What makes things even more complicated (but also offers new opportunities!), are the current efforts by some universities to introduce new permanent career paths to the system.
The first part of the workshop will focus on the academic system, its structure, the politics behind it and how they impact every single postdoc position. The second part will introduce participants in detail to the different career paths for postdocs in German academia. We will learn about the different options and access routes e.g. to a Junior Research Group or a W1 professorship, discuss the importance of careful planning and networks and also look at alternatives within and outside of academia.
Participants are welcome to send their CVs and a short paragraph on their career plans in advance by email. This helps to tailor the second part to their needs. Confidentiality is guaranteed and all data will be destroyed after the workshop.

Target group: doctoral candidates and postdocs