Personnel development for early career researchers­

Workshops and seminars for researchers in the 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.

2 Feb 2026 | Career path “Professorship”

At this Meet and Eat, Prof. Myriam Löffler will talk about her path to becoming a professor. She will share her experiences, provides insight into her career path and will, of course, be happy to answer any questions. Prof. Myriam Loeffler is currently Professor of Microbial and Molecular Systems at KU Leuven. Previously, she was a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Hohenheim.

7 May 2026 | From Overworked to Energized: Practical Habits for Focus & Well-Being

Join us for this 90-minutes, online “Meet & Eat” for postdocs packed with ready-to-use, evidence-based practical tools and habits to help you manage your physical and mental energy. Learn how to use micro-resets to manage hidden stressors in academia, small strategies to maintain focus and healthy boundaries, and everyday healthy habits around sleep, movement, and a strong, confident mindset.

22 September 2026 | EU Funding

At this “Meet and Eat” event for postdocs, Dr. Irene Huber (Head of the EU Office at the University of Hohenheim), will report on EU-wide funding opportunities for postdocs and the services offered by the EU Office. It doesn’t matter whether you just want to find out more information first or whether you are already taking concrete steps towards applying, come by and bring all your questions with you.

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: 13 Oct 26 | 2–4 p.m.

Registration

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 breaktime gives the opportunity for mutual exchange.

Procedure:

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:

Irena Rathgeb
email

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: Please contact the Research and Transfer department directly for current dates

view the program

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:

"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

"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:

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.

• NGECON.NET

At the annual Hohenheim Life Science Career Fair, companies of the fields of agricultural sciences and natural sciences / food will introduce themselves.

The next date will be announced as soon as possible.

Additional information