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

• Every “TUD Young Investigator” will be appointed with a TUD university teacher
  as a mentor and direct contact,
• will be accepted by the faculty as an assessor and examiner in doctoral procedures, particularly with regard to 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 TU Dresden 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 head 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 postdoctoral lecturer qualification is necessary.

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

A doctorate is imperative for a career in science. According to a recent study by the German Centre for Higher Education and Science Research (DZHW), 32 percent of the 20,000 doctoral students surveyed are aiming for a professorship. As many as 33 per cent have already decided against this career path.

The remaining 25 percent are still undecided. Interest in a professorship is highest among graduates of humanities studies (42 percent) and in law, economics and social sciences (41 percent).

Academic Career Portfolio

Career paths in science mean a high degree of competitiveness and mobility over long distances. Cautious estimates assume that only about 10–15 percent of the best doctoral students successfully make their way to a professorship. This makes it all the more important to address the academic requirements for a successful career at an early stage.

Qualification Paths

In recent years, the qualification paths for professorships have become more differentiated. In addition to the habilitation, there is also the possibility of qualifying for a professorship as a junior professorship or junior research group leadership.

Are you already an independent junior research group leader at TU Dresden
or a DRESDEN concept partner institution?

Then you might want to apply for the TUD Young Investigator Status.

Career Tips

• Ideally, it would be helpful if you strived for a doctoral position with close affiliation
  to the academic world.
• It would be best if you talked to your doctoral supervisor about your career goals.
• Strategically develop and expand your career portfolio.
• Build up a sustainable network at an early stage.
• Think about possible professional alternatives to a professorship.

Even though this path may not be an easy one, with a lot of passion for your research topic, strategic planning, support and a bit of luck, this way can be mastered. It's worth it!

Offers from the Graduate Academy

Are you interested in a career in academia?
Take advantage of our extensive range of workshops, advice, 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

Mirjam Müller (2014)
Promotion – Postdoc - Professur. Karriereplanung in der Wissenschaft (in German)
In this book, Mirjam Müller explains the background and names success factors of the decisive phase between doctorate and professorship:

• What achievements must be provided in research, teaching, and management?
• Which unwritten laws must be adhered to?

Each part of the academic portfolio shows which concrete career steps need to be planned and how one's profile can be presented coherently.

Christine Färber, Ute Riedler (2016)
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 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, which are of interest to young scientists concerning their career and their first steps in research and teaching. (in German)

Research in Germany (BMBF)

Research in Germany (BMBF) provides you with an insight into the German research landscape, funding opportunities and other topics with 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 last steps on the way to becoming a professor and advice on working as a professor. (in German)

academics | Professorship at a university of applied science
The professorship at a university of applied science offers teaching with an application-oriented focus. 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 are planning to start their career 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 the recommendations derived from them 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 manager in a medium-sized company, a management position in the public sector, to research manager in industry, to 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 postpone the decision for too long - a change of profession 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 recent study by intap)*1 is to improve their German language skills.

Even though at some companies, the working language might be English, at least basic German knowledge 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 & Management
Medicine

Are you still not sure which career path is the “right one” for you?
Then (career) coaching as a professional consulting format for a 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!

Please make an appointment by using our GA contact form.

The coaching is based on our consulting principles.
Valid GA membership is a prerequisite.

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

Career counseling can help you find effective strategies to meet your present challenges, set realistic goals, and develop the right plan. Career counseling 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 counseling 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 do I optimize my chances for 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?
• How do I present myself in job interviews?

Get in touch!

Please make an appointment by using our GA contact form.

Our career advice is based on consulting principles.
Please note: A confirmed GA membership is a prerequisite.

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!

Please make an appointment by using our GA contact form.
Please note that a GA membership is a prerequisite.

© 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.

Prerequisites for participation are confirmed membership in the Graduate Academy
and the attendance of all modules.

The information and networking event on career options at 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

2024 | Transition Possible - Postoc Skills = Job Market's Needs
2023 | Transition Possible - 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 TU Dresden 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.