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Offers of the Postdoc Academy

Postdoc School

Postdoc School

The Postdoc Academy aims to provide targeted support for postdocs (career level R2) at BUA institutions in their career development. Its primary objective is to help postdocs make informed, independent, and responsible career decisions by offering structured guidance, resources, and opportunities for professional growth.

The academy fosters an environment in which postdocs can identify their strengths, acquire essential competencies, and develop the knowledge and skills necessary for professional advancement—whether within academia or beyond. A key aspect of this process is networking, as the academy actively promotes interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration within the Berlin postdoc community and expands connections to scientific and industrial institutions at national and international levels.

To support these goals, the BUA Postdoc Academy has developed a comprehensive program portfolio, structured around eight key elements. These offerings:

- Support postdocs in making informed career choices and taking active steps toward their professional future.

- Develop strategies and competencies essential for career progression in academic and non-academic fields.

- Outline career paths within academia and present alternative professional options beyond the academic environment.

- Foster strong connections and networks, both within Berlin and on a broader scale, to enhance career opportunities.

Below is an overview of these core elements.

Portfolio

Postdoc School

The Postdoc School offers a wide range of workshops and coaching sessions designed to support postdocs in key areas such as research management, science communication, self-management, and career development. The core objective of the Postdoc School is to identify and systematically build the skills and competencies needed for a successful academic or non-academic career. Furthermore, it aims to enable participants to explore new career fields and gain a broader understanding of the diverse career paths available to them based on their qualifications.

Job Shadowing

Twice a year, BUA postdocs have the opportunity to apply for a short-term internship with selected hosts from this program. The hosts are high-profile leaders and key figures from various sectors closely connected to academia, such as science administration, startups, science communication, NGOs, or established companies in the technology sector. These internships provide postdocs with valuable insights into new professional fields and help them explore alternative career paths.

Spot ON

The "Spot ON" program consists of three innovative media formats aimed at supporting and inspiring postdocs on their career paths in academia and beyond.
- The podcast "Pathways to Professorship" features interviews with professors who share their unique career journeys, discussing both their professional development and pivotal moments in their careers.
- The "Biopic" format presents short video interviews with postdocs reflecting on their career progression, challenges, and aspirations, providing insights into the diverse career trajectories of postdocs and the personal and professional hurdles they face.

Postdoc Career Fair

The annual Postdoc Career Fair is specifically designed for postdocs interested in exploring career paths beyond academia. This event highlights various professional opportunities in research-related fields such as industry, business, science management, public sector, science communication, and NGOs. Participants gain insights into employer expectations and requirements outside academia. Additionally, a networking marketplace provides a platform for direct interaction with company and organization representatives.

Online Competence Tool

After completing a specialized digital survey, participants receive a detailed report outlining their core competencies along with the overview for their career planning. This tool serves as a foundation for structuring further educational and professional development measures.

Networking Measures

Networking is a crucial factor in career development, both within and beyond academia. This initiative organizes networking events to facilitate connections among postdocs in Berlin and establish professional links at the national and international levels.
A key feature of this initiative is the annual "Hit the Jackpot" Open Calls, which support outstanding projects and innovative ideas from the postdoc community. These projects aim to strengthen the Berlin postdoc network, foster interdisciplinary collaboration, and enhance career opportunities by encouraging knowledge exchange and engagement across different fields and sectors.

Postdocs at Risk

The "Postdocs at Risk" program supports researchers facing difficult life situations. Each year, a cohort of postdocs from BUA institutions is identified for special assistance. The program is tailored to the individual needs and specific circumstances of the affected postdocs, helping them advance their careers despite challenges. Support measures include language courses, individual coaching, and networking opportunities.

Serious Transfer Game

This innovative game challenges postdocs to explore ways to commercialize their research findings. Based on a fictional case study, the game does not require participants to contribute their own projects. Throughout the game, postdocs gain valuable insights into the fundamentals of technology transfer, develop a deeper understanding of the challenges involved, and create strategies to overcome them.

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