"TUC-PostDoc PRAXIS online"

The series "TUC-PostDoc PRAXIS online - PostDocs from different universities report from practice" is a joint offer of the graduate institutions of the universities of Clausthal, Lüneburg, Münster, Jena, Magdeburg and Leipzig. The series is running for the second time at the start of winter semester 25/26 and postdocs from Clausthal University of Technology are once again hosting the opening event.

Post-doctoral careers largely take place outside academia and universities. According to the Federal Report on Early Career Researchers (2021: 202), "only around one in five or one in six doctoral graduates (...) work in the academic system in the long term" and "a large proportion of doctoral graduates work in the private sector ten years after completing their doctorate".

"I can only do university...!" is what many academics with a doctorate think and have great respect for switching to a non-academic field of work. In this series, various scientists from a wide range of disciplines, whether from engineering, natural sciences, humanities or social sciences, report on how their own transition was successful. In this format, colleagues talk about how the transition can succeed, which "DOs and DON'Ts" can be given to the younger generation and which obstacles and hurdles can and cannot be expected.

Tuesday, 5 May 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., (in English) online via Zoom (link provided after registration)
Alumni Talk: From Academia to Industry (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

Are you thinking about leaving academia after completing your PhD or postdoc? You are not alone. The majority of PhD candidates do not stay in academia for their entire career. In this talk, three STEM alumni, who have successfully transitioned from academia to a career in industry, will share their experiences. They will give valuable advice on job hunting and application processes, career development and working outside of academia.

Panel:

• Dr. Marcel Ritter did his PhD in chemistry and is now senior scientist at Boehringer Ingelheim.
• Dr. Sophie Patze did her PhD in physical chemistry and works as a project manager at Bayer.

Language: English; Organiser: Jena Graduate Academy, Contact person: Gabi Schopf (gabi.schopf@uni-jena.de)Link zur Registration: https://www.uni-jena.de/328317/anmeldung-fuer-den-alumni-talk-from-academia-to-industry

Zoomlink: https://uni-jena-de.zoom-x.de/j/64231061956, Kenncode: 161208

Monday, 1 June 2026, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., (in English), online via Zoom (link provided after registration)
Coffee conversation “special”: How to Write a Non-Academic CV

Trainer: Dr. Matthias Zach

This interactive talk offers advice on how to write a persuasive CV for non-academic job applications and also allows you to raise your relevant questions and concerns.

Aspects covered include:

• Relevant differences between applications in and outside academia
• How to read a job advertisement, and how to customize your application dossier
• How to organize the writing process
• How to design and structure the CV
• How to present competencies and fit in the CV

The login-link to this online event will be provided to registered participants a few days prior to the event. The talk takes place from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.: please feel free to bring a suitable lunch! Dr. Matthias Zach counsels researchers and scientists on all relevant aspects of their careers, with a special emphasis on strategic communication.
 

Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (in English) online via Zoom (see link below)
“From postdoc to innovation: science meets entrepreneurship – a male and female founder report” (University Leipzig)

How do you make the transition from science to entrepreneurship? In this “coffee conversation”, two founders talk about their personal journeys between research, funding and start-up development – authentically, approachably and with plenty of room for questions.
To kick things off, Dr. Christian Sonnendecker, co-founder of ESTER Biotech, will talk about his current transitional phase: still employed at Leipzig university and funded by EXIST Research Transfer, his team is already working intensively on the spin-off. He will provide insights into how a scientific idea becomes a company – and what opportunities and challenges this transition holds.
A female founder (to be announced) will add to the perspective and show how one example for how female scientists are shaping their path to self-employment. The event offers scientists considering to leave academia, interested in founding or just in general the opportunity to talk directly to these two role models and ask their own questions.

Organizer: Akademische Personalentwicklung, Universität Leipzig, Contact person: Dr. Nicole Koburger (nicole.koburger@zv.uni-leibzig.de)

Meeting link: https://uni-leipzig.zoom-x.de/j/69202951761?pwd=2XCTM3YsDbJl4h9YvlNSFS1O2UZZbz.1, Meeting-ID: 692 0295 1761, Kenncode: 843895

Past events
 

"TUC-PostDoc PRAXIS online" kick-off TU Clausthal
Date: Monday, 10.11.2025 | 13:30 - 15:00 | via Zoom (link after registration)

There could not be a more different start to a non-academic career than the two female scientists who will report on their experiences of changing jobs from university to the private sector at this event. And both are representative of typical and frequent changes from university to practice.

Julita Emersleben remained a research assistant at Clausthal University of Technology for a long time, relying on so-called "chain contracts" and the completion of her doctorate, until one day she was suddenly told she was "out" and the move to industry was inevitable. Without having completed her doctorate, this change was successful after a few hurdles and ultimately led to a very high level of satisfaction for many years. Dr. Eva Prumbohm , on the other hand, describes her start in a medium-sized company as an exciting and instructive time in which she was able to gain valuable experience and apply her knowledge in practice.

As is so often the case, both academics are accompanied by the topic of compatibility, which is familiar to many women. In this opening session of the series on non-academic careers, the two academics will let participants know how the upheavals were managed and how they succeeded in mastering the transition despite hurdles and obstacles."
 

"TUC-PostDoc PRAXIS online" meets "Let's talk career" (Leuphana Graduate School, University of Lüneburg)
Date: Wednesday, 21.01.2026 | 16.00 - 17.30 | Registration page (Registration deadline 18.01.2026)

Into the cultural sector with a doctorate

What doors does a doctorate open outside the university? Many!

In addition to their specialist expertise, doctoral graduates also acquire many interdisciplinary skills through their research activities, which enable them to enter numerous different fields of work and take on responsibility. This ability to connect to a wide range of activities makes two questions particularly relevant: Which field of activity is right for me? Which paths will lead me to this goal?

In January 2026, we turn our attention to the humanities and talk to Dr. Stephanie Regenbrecht (Museum für Kunst und Gewerbe), Dr. Gernot Preusser (Cybay New Media GmbH) and Dr. Jan Asmus (Filmförderung Hamburg) about their career entry outside the university, about areas of work and fields of activity, about the expected and the surprising in their professional (re)orientation and what was particularly helpful in the process.

"TUC-PostDoc PRAXIS online" meets "Spill the tea!" (Center for Emerging Researchers, University of Münster)
Date: Tuesday, 03.03.2026 | 09.00 - 10.30 a.m. | via Zoom (link below)

From science to science management?

"The professional field of science management emerged in the 1990s and has grown rapidly since then." - Müller, M., Grewe, O. (2020). Science management as a profession. Strategien für den Einstieg, Frankfurt/New York: Campus, p.10.
But how do you make the transition from science to science management? In this panel discussion, experienced science managers talk about their personal careers, the challenges and opportunities of entering science management and provide valuable insights into their day-to-day work. They will explain how they discovered the career field for themselves, what skills are required and what interested parties should consider when deciding on this career field. Come along for a cup of tea and ask the panel your questions!

Organizer: Centre for Emerging Researchers (University of Münster), contact person: Rebecca Meier
Zoomlink: uni-ms.zoom-x.de/j/62485221584;
Meeting ID: 624 8522 1584, ID code: 426583