In the initial phase of their doctorate, many doctoral candidates feel that they are all alone with a wide range of interdisciplinary questions. This is where the peer coaching programme "Starting your PhD" from the Jenny Aloni Centre for Early Career Researchers at Paderborn University comes in: "Doctoral students are brought together in small groups in the first year of their doctorate. This allows them to discuss topics that are currently on their minds and support each other over several sessions," says Dr. Alexandra Wiebke, Managing Director of the Jenny Aloni Centre for Early Career Researchers. The peer coaching programme is open to doctoral candidates from all faculties and disciplines. The new group starts on 14 January 2025 and interested parties can register at earlycareer@uni-paderborn.de.
"In addition to peer coaching, the Jenny Aloni Centre for Early Career Researchers offers many other opportunities to network with other doctoral students and postdocs, to receive advice on topics related to research and teaching, individual career development, but also in special life situations or to receive further training," says Dr. Alexandra Wiebke.
This year, for example, welcome events for doctoral candidates and postdocs were organised for the first time. The PhD Lunch follows on seamlessly from the well-attended kick-off event: Every first Tuesday of the month, Paderborn doctoral students meet for lunch together in the "Mensula". First, there is a short input on an interdisciplinary topic, followed by plenty of time to chat and network. Doctoral students from all faculties are cordially invited to the next event on 3 December from 11.30 a.m. in the "Mensula". The topic is "Self-management during the doctorate."
For more than 16 years, the university has also run a 15-month mentoring programme for female doctoral students, which includes discussions with a mentor of their choice as well as networking meetings and workshops. The programme is aimed at female doctoral candidates from all faculties at Paderborn University who are thinking about an academic career and want to gain individual insights into the career paths of female university professors. Up to 14 female doctoral candidates per year can be accepted onto the programme. Informal network meetings are offered for female doctoral candidates in their first year of their doctorate in order to exchange their first experiences in the scientific community in an interdisciplinary group and to develop solutions to challenges.
The Jenny Aloni Centre for Early Career Researchers also supports doctoral students who are planning a stay abroad. "For many doctoral students, this is not an issue at first. However, a stay abroad is very helpful for successful careers in science and there are numerous options for this – from short conference trips to research visits lasting several months," explains Dr. Henriette-Juliane Seeliger, Academic Advisor for Early Career Researchers. Once a semester, she offers a one-hour information session on the topic of stays abroad during doctoral studies.
Overall, Paderborn University's Jenny Aloni Centre for Early Career Researchers offers a wide range of interdisciplinary advice and support for doctoral candidates and postdocs. "We focus on all non-disciplinary aspects of the doctorate – from decision-making situations and organisational issues to individual career planning. Our motto is: Doing a doctorate at UPB? Just do it!", says Dr. Alexandra Wiebke.
If you would like to be regularly informed about offers for doctoral candidates and postdocs, qualification, and networking opportunities as well as current calls for proposals and funding opportunities, you can sign up for the Jenny Aloni Centre for Early Career Researchers newsletter.
This text was translated automatically.
