Hohenheim NextGen Scientists Symposium

The University of Hohenheim is internationally recognized as one of Europe’s leading centers for agricultural research and food sciences, while also being highly distinctive in the natural, economic, social, and communication sciences. This unique profile enables our researchers to focus on understanding complex interactions in a changing environment and on developing innovative solutions to pressing societal challenges such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable resource use.

With its compact, green campus and strong research infrastructure, the University of Hohenheim offers an inspiring, interdisciplinary environment for its research community. We are particularly committed to supporting the next generation of leading researchers and providing them with the best conditions to grow, explore new directions, and shape the future of science and society.

With the Hohenheim NextGen Scientists Symposium we invite outstanding early career researchers (up to four years after PhD completion) to discover the University of Hohenheim as a potential place to develop their next research steps and to advance their careers. Chaired by experts in the field, the event provides a forum for presenting current research ideas in the following areas and for exploring potential collaborations:

• Microbiome Research in Livestock and Agri-Food Systems
  Chairs: Prof. Dr. Amélia Camarinha Silva and Prof. Dr. Jana Seifert
• Diversity and Resilience Across Scales in Natural and Agro-Ecosystems
  Chairs: Prof. Dr. Karl Schmid and Prof. Dr. Andreas Schweiger
• Data-Driven Transformation of Sustainable Agri-Food Systems
  Chairs: Prof. Dr. Thomas Dimpfl and Prof. Dr. Christine Wieck
• Food, Nutrition & Health
  Chairs: Prof. Dr. Mario Jekle and Prof. Dr. Barbara Lieder

Are you an early career researcher, up to four years after PhD completion, interested in developing your research and career in the interdisciplinary environment of the University of Hohenheim? If your work relates to one or more of the research areas outlined above, you are strongly encouraged to apply.

• An opportunity to present and discuss your research and future plans with experts and potential mentors at the University of Hohenheim
• Networking and exchanging ideas with researchers from different disciplines and career stages
• Explore the university’s environment, infrastructure and support services
• Get information on developing and establishing pathways to individual research projects and junior research groups at our university
• Receive personalized advice on funding opportunities (e.g. DFG Emmy Noether Programme, ERC Starting Grant)

Accommodation costs during the symposium will be covered for selected participants. In exceptional cases, travel costs can also be covered.

Please send your application with the following documents (as a single PDF) via application form by 2 August 2026.

• Letter of intent, including what you expect from participating in the symposium
• Short description of your current and planned research (max. 1 page)
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• List of publications

If you need travel costs to be covered for your participation, please indicate this in your letter of intent.

Your application will undergo a selection process. You will be informed about the outcome by the beginning of September.

The event is also open to early career researchers who are already conducting research at the University of Hohenheim (up to four years after PhD completion), and we explicitly welcome their applications. As the presentation slots are limited, external candidates will be given priority in case of a high number of applications. However, all formats related to third-party funding acquisition will be open to both external and internal participants.

For questions regarding the Hohenheim NextGen Scientists Symposium, please contact Dr. Xenja Herren: ecr@ua.uni-hohenheim.de

Even though this call is targeted at early career researchers, the University of Hohenheim is also always open to discussing opportunities for collaboration and research stays with senior researchers. If interested, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us.

Application form