Career perspectives after the doctorate

Are you an independent junior research group leader in a temporary position at TU Dresden or at a DRESDEN-concept partner institution?

Then apply for the status of a TUD Young Investigator!

This position strengthens the state of excellent young researchers by integrating them more closely into the faculties and offering them a specifically tailored qualification program.

The Young Investigator status is awarded for a limited period and depends on the applicant's position as an independent junior research group leader. The status ends with leaving TU Dresden or the appointment to a professorship, respectively.

Your rights

• Each "TUD Young Investigator" is assigned to TUD faculty members
  as mentors and direct points of contact,
• will be accepted by the faculty as an assessor and examiner in doctoral procedures, particularly regarding the dissertations they (co-) supervise,
• will participate in teaching,
• will be integrated into their respective faculty, including the possibility to attend public parts of the Faculty Council meetings as a guest,
• will get the opportunity to take part in a range of training, individually designed to address the needs of academics in this qualification phase.

Who can apply?

• Junior research group leaders with fixed-term contracts with TUD or a partner institution of the DRESDEN-concept
• with own budget and staff responsibility,
• who are academically independent and without affiliation to a professor,
• who heads a research group with at least two academics (excluding the head).
• In addition to a completed doctorate with a grade of at least very good, evidence of performance suitable for a postdoctoral lecturer qualification is necessary.

For further information and application forms, please have a look at our
TUD Young Investigator website.

Academic Career Portfolio

A doctoral degree is essential for a career in academia. Academic career paths require a high degree of competitiveness and long-term mobility.

Conservative estimates suggest that only about 10–15 percent of the top female doctoral students successfully advance to a Chair. This makes it all the more important to familiarize yourself with the performance requirements early on.

© Angela Böhm

Pathways to Qualification

In recent years, the qualification paths to a Chair have become more diverse. In addition to habilitation or the completion of work equivalent to habilitation, there is also the option of qualifying for a Chair through a junior professorship or by leading a junior research group.

© Angela Böhm

Are you already leading an independent early-career research group at TUD or a DRESDEN concept partner institution?

Then apply for TUD Young Investigator Status.

Career Tips for Your Path to a Chair

• Ideally, seek out a doctoral position with close ties to the university.

• Be sure to talk to your doctoral advisor
  about your career goals.

• Strategically expand your career portfolio.

• Build a strong professional network early on.

• Also, explore career alternatives to a Chair.

• Take advantage of advice and support services.

Even though this path may not be easy, with a lot of passion for your field, strategic planning, support, and that ever-necessary bit of luck, it can be mastered. And it’s worth it!

Services Offered by the Graduate Academy

Are you interested in a career in academia?
Take advantage of our extensive range of workshops, counselling, and networking opportunities!

A professorship at a University of Applied Sciences requires different career steps than the university professorship. The main difference to a professorship at a university is the mandatory professional practice outside academia.

A professorship at a University of Applied Science is an appealing career path,
which does not require a final decision between science and industry
but is a real alternative to a university professorship.

Graduate Academy | Postdoc Center

We offer you a workshop on the topic of a professorship at the University of Applied Sciences as part of our qualification program. You might also want to attend our networking events.

Past Events

PHinisheD - Karrierepersektiven nach der Promotion | Die HAW-Professur (2018)
PHinisheD - Karrierepersektiven nach der Promotion | Die HAW-Professur  (2022)

Literature

Next Level: Developing and Shaping Your Own Career. A Workbook for Postdocs
TUD Postdoc Center (2026)

• Target Audience: Postdocs in their first through third year after earning their doctorate
• Purpose: To support self-reflection and preparation for career development meetings with the PI
• Objectives: To provide guidance and clarity on potential career paths and to foster personal responsibility

Are you a postdoc at TU Dresden and would like to use the workbook?
Contact us at: graduiertenakademie@tu-dresden.de

Please note: The workbook is only in German. An English version will follow soon.

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UniWinD-Spezial: Karriereorientierung im deutschen Wissenschaftssystem. Handreichung für promovierte Wissenschaftler*innen (2026)

Mirjam Müller 
From PhD to Professorship. A Practical Guide to Academic Careers in Germany 
Planning to advance your academic career in Germany? Mirjam Müller empowers international early-career researchers to confidently navigate the critical postdoc phase. Offering insights into career opportunities, working conditions, and qualification requirements, she unveils both formal and informal rules shaping German academia.

This practical guide uses proven academic career-coaching methods to help you clarify your goals, enhance your portfolio, and plan your next steps. As the first English-language guide tailored to Germany’s academic system, it’s your essential toolkit for building a successful career.

Mirjam Müller 
Bewerben auf Juniorprofessuren und Professuren (in German)
This book is a practical guide that explains the often opaque process of academic hiring procedures in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland to early-career researchers.

Christine Färber, Ute Riedler 
Black Box Berufung. Strategien auf dem Weg zur Professur (in German)
This book explains the procedures and requirements, from the call for applications to the work of selection committees, from the written application to the “audition,” to the appointment hearing, and to the salary. The authors also provide information on appointment procedures abroad.

Links

TUD - Science Creates Opportunities

Vacancies at the TUD

Deutscher Hochschulverband (DHV)

DHV: Career | FAQs
DHV-Webinar: Die Juniorprofessur - Good to know (in German)
Here you will find answers to frequently asked questions about careers and first steps in research and teaching for young scientists. (in German)

Research in Germany (BMBF)

Research in Germany (BMBF) provides you with insights into the German research landscape, funding opportunities, and other topics through the BMBF Online Talk Series.

academics

academics | Postdoc
Job description, application tips, salary, and financing options – here, you will find everything essential for the postdoc phase, as well as current job offers. (in German).

academics | How to become a professor
Here you can find all the answers and tips for the final steps on the path to becoming a professor, along with advice on working as a professor. (in German)

academics | Professorship at a university of applied science
The professorship at a university of applied sciences focuses on teaching with an application-oriented approach. What can be claimed as work experience, and how is a professorship at a university of applied science remunerated? (in German)

Outside academia, a doctorate can also be an excellent starting point for a career, for example, in representative functions, in the research and development sector, or public administration.

According to a recent study by the German Centre for Higher Education and Science Research (DZHW), around 30 per cent of the doctoral students intend to work in business or industry after their graduation. Approximately 11 per cent are interested in a career in the public sector. Around 8 per cent of those surveyed plan to start their careers in non-university research institutions.

But what do companies expect from young professionals with a doctorate?

The UniWiND group "Non-University Career Paths of Doctoral Students" has addressed these questions and published its findings and recommendations in the 2018 publication "Career perspectives after the doctorate".

According to the "Bundesbericht wissenschaftlicher Nachwuchs" (p. 186), 65% of all doctoral students under the age of 45 in Germany are working in the economic sector. There is, of course, no such thing as "industry" - the fields of career profiles are broadly diversified: from a manager in a medium-sized company, a management position in the public sector, to a research manager in industry, to a generalist in a start-up.

Depending on your field of study, getting started can be more accessible or somewhat more complicated. However, it is important not to delay the decision for too long - a career change requires intensive research and preparation.

Should I learn the German language?

More than 80 per cent of companies cite the lack of language skills of international PhD students. The vital advice (based on a study by intap)*1 is to improve their German language skills.

Even though English might be the working language at some companies, basic German knowledge (at least B2 level) is crucial for a successful career start outside academia.

Literatur

Mirjam Müller (2017)
Karriere nach der Wissenschaft: Alternative Berufswege für Promovierte
Thirteen portraits of PhDs in the humanities and social sciences describe how the transition from academia to industry is successful managed, how the new work routine looks like in different industries and what qualifications are expected.
The book offers self-coaching exercises as well as strategies for a successful entry into a job in business, administration, education or culture.

UniWiND-Spezial (2018) | Perspektiven nach der Promotion (in german)
Berufswege außerhalb der Wissenschaft | Teil 1: 13 Porträts

UniWiND-Spezial (2018) | Perspektiven nach der Promotion (in german)
Berufswege außerhalb der Wissenschaft | Teil 2: Arbeitgeber im Gespräch

Kemter-Hofmann, P., Kemter, A. & Schulz, C. (2019).
A perfect Match - Internationals and the local industry in Dresden.
A study commissioned by intap
 

Links

© TU Dresden

academics | Industry guide
Research & Development
Humanities
Engineering
Natural Sciences
Economics
Medicine

Are you still not sure which career path is the “right one” for you? 
Then, career coaching, as a professional consulting format for solution- and goal-oriented support, may be an essential step.

In (max.) three sessions of 90 minutes each, you can discuss your concerns
with a trained coach from the Graduate Academy.

Coaching issues could be:

•     Decision-making processes: Science—should I stay or go?
•     Career orientation
•     work organization and time management
•     dealing with crisis and conflict situations
•     work and life balance

What is the benefit of coaching?

• Professional coaching allows you to reflect and discuss topics important to you
  in a protected environment.
• The coach supports you in concretizing your goals, prioritizing requirements,
  and making strategic decisions.

Get in touch!

• Doctoral candidates: Please note the requirements for using our services.
• Postdocs: Membership at the Postdoc Center is required.
• Please make an appointment by using our GA contact form.
• The coaching is based on our consulting principles.

Have you decided to leave academia?
Do you need help with your transition into the business world?

Career counselling can help you find effective strategies to address your current challenges, set realistic goals, and develop an effective plan. Career counselling combines coaching approaches with concrete advice and information on the job market.

You can discuss your specific questions with a trained advisor in
(max.) two sessions of 90 minutes each.

Career counselling is always about helping you to help yourself. The obligation and responsibility to implement these strategies to achieve your goals is entirely yours!

The following may be possible topics:

• How can I increase my chances of a successful entry into the German job market?
• Where can I find relevant information on career options?
• What are the specific requirements?
• How do I strategically build up a professional network?

Get in touch!

• Doctoral candidates: Please note the requirements for using our services.
• Postdocs: Membership at the Postdoc Center is required.
• Please make an appointment by using our GA contact form.
• The coaching is based on our consulting principles.

You have already found your dream job and need support in optimizing your application documents?  We're happy to help!

Make an appointment for an CV-check!

• Please send us your application documents (cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the corresponding job advertisement) as well as your questions with sufficient advance notice of the application deadline (approx. 2 weeks).
• Your documents will be treated confidentially and will not be kept.
• For general advice and tips on drafting an application, please attend our workshops.

Among others, the following questions can be addressed:

•     Formal criteria and standards of an application for the German labor market
•     Contents and structure of the CV
•     Creation and structure of the cover letter
•     Matching of job offer and application
•     Questions about comprehensibility and style

Get in touch!

• Doctoral candidates: Please note the requirements for using our services.
• Postdocs: Membership at the Postdoc Center is required.
• Please make an appointment by using our GA contact form.

© AdobeStock_310716677 © vegefox.com – stock.adobe.com

For an academic as well as a career outside academia, not only professional skills but also soft skills are extremely important.

As an integral part of our qualification program, we offer you numerous workshops on the topics of career planning for academia & business.

Are you interested in a career in the private or public sector?
Then apply for the Future Career Program: Business.

Curriculum

The curriculum includes, among other things, the development of management skills, knowledge in the field of leadership and team development, basic know-how in economics and support in individual career planning.

Please note!

• This training is conducted in german.
• Applications are possible once a year.
• The prerequisite for participation is confirmed membership in the Graduate Academy and participation in all modules.

You can find current announcements and application deadlines
on our website Future Career Program: Business.

How does an innovative idea come about?
Can creativity techniques be learned?
How can "design thinking" be used for research and career planning?

If the answers to these questions are of great interest to you, apply for the Future Career Program: Innovation.

The program is aimed at postdocs and doctoral students at the end of their doctoral studies who would like to learn more about entrepreneurial creativity and innovation.

..........................................................

Are you interested in participating?

You can find the latest calls for applications and deadlines on our website
Future Career Program: Innovation.

The program is conducted in the summer semester.

The prerequisite for participation is that you are pursuing your doctorate at TUD and have been officially accepted as a doctoral candidate. For Postdocs, a confirmed membership at the Postdoc Center is required.

The information and networking event on career options in the German non-academic labour market takes place once a year.

Alumni of the graduate academy, as well as human resources managers, give tips
on how to make a successful career start in the private sector or the public sector.

Brief workshops on job-relevant topics, as well as advisory sessions and coaching,
are also part of the program.

Virtual Career Day for Postdocs

2026 | Explore Careers Beyond R&D
2025 | Career Perspectives for Postdocs - Big Names & Hidden Champions
2024 | Postoc Skills = Job Market's Needs
2023 | Recruiting Postdocs in Industry

Career Day 2015 - 2019

6th Career Day of the Graduate Academy (2019) | Program booklet 2019
5th Career Day of the Graduate Academy (2018)
4th Career Day of the Graduate Academy (2017)
3rd Career Day of the Graduate Academy (2016)
2nd Career Day of the Graduate Academy (2015)
1st Career Day of the Graduate Academy (2015)

© Fotolia_olly

In the series of events Ph_inisheD- Career perspectives after your PhD, we would like to introduce you to attractive career paths. Graduates will talk about their professional careers and their everyday work.

Previous & upcoming events

© Fotolia_Marco2811

HAW-Professur | 2022
HAW Professur | 2018 

Due to the pandemic, already scheduled events regrettably had to be postponed.

Postdoc Talks | SPOTLIGHT ON

Once the decision to pursue an academic career has been made, the postdoc period is the decisive phase in which the foundation is laid for a successful career in science. It is crucial to develop an independent scientific profile, become visible through publications, projects, and cooperations, gain teaching experience, and acquire third-party funding.

In our Postdoc Talks, we shed light on career-relevant aspects of the postdoc phase and showcase relevant services TUD offers and experts share their know-how and (insider) tips while answering your questions.

Our Postdoc Talks take place every second Tuesday of the month, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. — online via Zoom.

Our Postdoc Talks will not be recorded.