Seminars for scientists in der postdoc phase
The series of courses conceptualized together with the Universities of Ulm and Konstanz is directed at junior professors and postdocs. The offerings aim to develop and strengthen academic competencies and also make it possible to network with colleagues at the participating universities.
Costs and registration
Participation is cost neutral, the costs will be paid centrally out of the personnel development budget.
Please contact Irena Rathgeb for questions and registration. Places are limited and will be allocated according to the time the registrations were received.
These events can be credited in parts for the Baden-Württemberg certificate. Please contact: Educational Development Unit, Tanja Ottenbacher.
At regular intervals, the “Human Resource and Organizational Development” unit invites postdocs to lunch. Besides networking, the aim is to encourage the early career researchers to discuss career-relevant topics. The content portion of the events is supported by a guest, sometimes one from outside the University.
18 February 2025 | Guest is Prof. Philipp Diebold (Bagilstein)
How can agile methods help you to deal better with daily challenges in research, teaching, and administration? During this interactive 90-minute “learning lunch,” we will explore how agility can help to make everyday work more efficient and flexible. The event offers inspiration and practical approaches, with a discussion of how agile methods can specifically assist with typical challenges – from project organization to teamwork.
| Date | 18 Feb 2025 | 12:30–2 p.m. | online |
| Speaker | Prof. Philipp Diebold (Bagilstein) |
| Registering |
May 2025
Career path
| Date | will be announced in 2025 |
| Speaker | will be announced |
25 September 2025 | Guests are Dr. Marianne Hege and Dr. Maren Podszun
The guests at this “Meet and eat – Postdoc lunch table” will be Dr. Marianne Hege from the Research Support Department and Dr. Maren Podszun, nutritional scientist at the University of Hohenheim, who has successfully applied for a temporary position as principal investigator (DFG Eigene Stelle).
Dr. Hege will present the services provided by the Research Support Department for postdoctoral fellows and will include a focus on funding opportunities for obtaining a temporary position for principal investigators (DFG Eigene Stelle). In addition, she is happy to answer any questions on the topic of research support. Dr. Podszun will share her experiences as a successful applicant and will be happy to offer advice.
Contents:
- Getting to know the services of the Research Support Department for postdocs
- Focus: Funding opportunities to obtain a temporary position for principal investigators (DFG Eigene Stelle)
- Answering specific questions
- Networking
| Date | 25 Sep 2025 | 12:30–2 p.m. | Café Denkbar |
| Speakers | Dr. Marianne Hege and Dr. Maren Podszun |
| Registering |
21 November 2025 | Guest is Dr. Helene Schruff
The German academic system is complex and not always easy to understand, especially for academics from abroad. In need of explanation are particularly the federal structure, the typology of universities and research institutions, and also the various options for funding research projects.
This talk provides a compact overview of the German academic system and offers the opportunity to ask individual questions. It is primarily aimed at international postdocs, but is also open to all other interested persons.
Topics:
- Fundamentals of state funding of the science system
- Responsibility of the federal and state governments for free research and teaching
- Players in the German science system
- Universities, universities of applied sciences, and other research institutions
- Research funding
| Date | 21 Nov 2025 | 12:30–2 p.m. | online |
| Speaker | Dr. Helene Schruff |
| Registering |
At this event, on the one hand the appointment procedure in Hohenheim is explained and on the other hand professors from our three faculties talk about their own experiences from past appointment procedures, whether at Hohenheim or other universities. They are also available to answer questions.
Objectives:
- Introduction to the appointment process in Hohenheim
- Exchange of experience with professors on appointment processes
- Tips
- Networking
| Date: | will be announced for 2026 in due time |
Writing is a natural part of everyday life as a scientist - and it is often the most pleasant, but sometimes also the most difficult task. In any case, it is important to give writing a set spot in our schedule.
Inspired by participation in online writing retreats and weekly writing groups at other
research institutions, a small postdoc group has formed that meets regularly on a weekly basis to write together. Making appointments to write is enormously helpful for prioritizing and sticking to your own regular writing time, avoiding distraction behaviors, and staying on task.
And although the focus is on writing, the common break gives the opportunity for mutual exchange.
How it works:
2.5 hours weekly:
- 10 min. introduction in which each person briefly states their goals for the current writing session.
- 50 min. Write.
- 15‐20 min. Break with the possibility of discussion.
- 50 min. Write.
- 10 min. Conclusion, in which each person briefly states how it went.
If you would like to join the writing group, please feel free to contact:
Dr. Florian Späth
E-Mail
Currently, the meetings take place online.
In this event by the Research Support Department, the elite program of the Baden-Württemberg Foundation for Postdocs will be presented.
| Date: | will be announced for 2025 in due time |
Julia Kettelhack and Irena Rathgeb from the "Personnel and Organizational Development" unit will be happy to advise you personally on topics such as
- Career planning: on the way to a professorship
- Planning alternative career paths
- Checking application documents
- Preparing for job interviews
If you are interested, please first contact:
| Dates: | by appointment | |
| Working language: | English or German | |
| Contact: | Julia Kettelhack +49 711 459-22862 | Irena Rathgeb +49 711 459-23099 |
"Strategic network analysis": personal consultation via Skype/Facetime on issues related to strategic networking as part of an academic career
If you are interested, please first contact
| Dates: | by appointment | |
| Working language: | English or German | |
| Contact: | Julia Kettelhack +49 711 459-22862 | Irena Rathgeb +49 711 459-23099 |
"Presentation Coaching" with the goal of practicing, professionalizing, and reflecting on research presentations
Individual coaching as needed with the goal of "practicing, professionalizing, and reflecting on research presentations”: The focus of the consultation will be your research and technical presentations that you give at (online) conferences, for example. By working on an upcoming lecture, on the one hand, the appearance, body language, posture, voice and speech tempo can be worked on and, on the other hand, the content part (by a non-expert) can be reflected on with regard to intention, clarity, structure, and visualization. Work is done online via Zoom.
If you are interested, please first contact:
| Dates: | by appointment | |
| Working language: | English or German | |
| Contact: | Julia Kettelhack +49 711 459-22862 | Irena Rathgeb +49 711 459-23099 |
FEINSCHLIFF (Finishing Touches), the University of Hohenheim’s talent management program for postdocs offers assistance for high-potential candidates. The program systematically qualifies especially talented early career researchers - up to two years after completing their doctorate (date of colloquium) for their further career development. more
The coaching offer for newly appointed tenure-track professors is an important element for an optimal start in the new professional environment at the University of Hohenheim. Besides having many new opportunities for shaping research and teaching, the first months and the first year also mean newly appointed professors will take on management and leadership tasks. Experience shows that especially during this time the foundation is laid for professional success. That is why the Personnel Development Unit is happy to support newly appointed tenure-track professors from the beginning in their diverse roles and tasks as a professorial manager with individual coaching.
Possible questions that can be worked on during the coaching process include:
- Newly appointed at the University of Hohenheim: How can I position myself successfully at the institute, in the department, in the committees?
- How can I put together research groups?
- How can I promote good cooperation in the team?
- How do I establish good networks?
- How do I understand myself as a manager?
- How do I achieve a work-life balance?
In one-on-one meetings, participants work individually and directly with a coach on the issues that matter most to them. The coaching sessions are carried out by external coaches who have their own management experience and varied experience in university contexts.
NGECON.NET
NGECON.NET is a network of postdocs at the Universities of Hohenheim and Tübingen that offers early career researchers the chance for discussion and exchange. The goal of NGECON.NET is to organize early career researchers from several universities into this research network to enable cooperation and spread information to all network members.
At the annual Hohenheim career fair “Life Science,” companies of the fields of agricultural sciences and natural sciences / food will introduce themselves.
The next date will be announced as soon as possible.