Career Development for Postdocs
The Postdoc Support Programme "Career Development for Postdocs" is a cooperation of the Giessen graduate centres GGS and GGL with the MArburg Research Academy (MARA)
As a cooperation project of Central Hessian universities, the program is anchored in the 
What is the Support Programme for Postdocs?
What does the Support Programme for Postdocs consist of?
What do I as a postdoc stand to gain by taking part in the programme?
Who can take part in the support programme?
Which workshops/events are offered?
What is the Support Programme for Postdocs?
The support programme offers target-oriented support to postdocs at the GGS on their way to their own professorship. This is not only directly beneficial for postdoctoral junior scientists, but also, in an indirect way, for doctoral students who, thanks to the improved support during the qualification phase of one's habilitation, are encouraged to pursue their own academic careers.
What Does the Support Programme for Postdocs Consist of?
The programme consists of the following modules:
Workshops and Events
Together with the GGL and the MArburg Research Academy (MARA), the GGS offers workshops, which are meant to support postdocs on their way to their own professorship. The programme differentiates between a "decision phase" and the "way to a professorship", each of which have their own target-oriented workshops.
On-the-job Leadership Experience
Leadership experience is a valuable resource – for a career in as well as outside of academia. Within the framework of different GGS offers, junior scientists can gather leadership experience. For example, you can take on leadership responsibility by leading a research section, a peer mentoring group, or a project like, for example, the GGS Graduate Conference. For more information, please write an e-mail to Felix Wagner.
Postdoc Lunches
Networking and exchange are important – also and especially amongst peers.
In order to further encourage this, all postdocs are invited to take part in regular postdoc lunches. If you would like to be invited to the postdoc lunches, please contact Felix Wagner via e-mail.
You can find the dates for the postdoc lunches here.
What do I as a postdoc stand to gain by taking part in the programme?
By taking part in the programme, postdocs profit on many levels: First of all, as a participant you will learn important skills which are indispensable for a professorship and for a creating/maintaining productive working environment at your future professorship. Second, certificates of attendance give evidence of your newly acquired skills and can be used in your application process. Third, the cooperative exchange between postdocs at Giessen and Marburg Universities is promoted on both an inter- and an intra-university level.
Who can take part in the support programme?
At JLU Giessen: Postdocs at the GGS and at the GGL, who want to pursue an academic career or are thinking about doing so. In order to be admitted to the Postdoc Support Programme, please contact Felix Wagner via e-mail.
At Marburg University: Please contact Dr Christine Berger at MARA.
Which workshops/events are offered?
Upcoming events:
Berufungstraining - erfolgreich auf eine Professur bewerben
Lecturer: Dr Ulrike Preißler
Dates: November 5, 2026, 10.00 am to 5.00 pm and November 6, 2026, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm
Venue: JLU Giessen, Room 309, Erwin-Stein-Gebäude, Goethestrasse 68, 35390 Giessen
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
Past Events
Kompetent und Erfolgreich in Führung gehen 
Lecturer: Barbara Schade
Dates: January 22, 2026, 9.00 am - 5.00 pm & February 5, 2026, 9.00 am - 1.00 pm
Venue: JLU Giessen, 1st day: Gustav-Krügel-Saal, JLU main building, Ludwigstrasse 23,
35390 Giessen, 2nd day: Seminar room 315, JLU main building, Ludwigstrasse 23,
35390 Giessen
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
[Online] Funding Opportunities of the ERC, MSCA, and Alexander von Humboldt Foundation for Postdocs
Event language: English
Organisation: Dr Christine Berger (MARA), Dr Michael Streuber (GGL), Dr Sina Weidenweber (THM), Felix Wagner (GGS), and Verena Graulich (Stabsabteilung Forschung)
Guests: Isabelle Janicke (AvH), Professor Dr Anna Ladilova (Justus Liebig University Giessen), Dr Mareike Grotheer (Philipps-University Marburg), Dr Karolina Golicz (Justus Liebig University Giessen), Byron Schirbock (KoWi)
Date: June 25, 2025
Venue: Online
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
Aufbau und Management der ersten eigenen Professur
Lecturer: Professor Dr Uta Bronner
Date: November 7, 2024, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Venue: JLU Giessen, Großes Sitzungszimmer (Room 201), Goethestrasse 58, 35390 Giessen
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
Karriereentwicklung für Postdocs – Berufungstraining
Event language: German
Lecturer: Dr Ulrike Preißler
Dates: July 4 and 5, 2024, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm respectively
Venue: Marburg - MARA F|05, Deutschhausstrasse 11+13, seminar room 01.0010
Participation fee: internal 50,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL, THM or MARA), external 75,- €
Further information is available here.
[Online] EU Funding for Early Career Researchers – ERC Starting Grants and MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships explained
Event language: English
Moderation: Dr Livia Kaiser (Science Support, JLU) and Dr Martin Blaser (PCMO, JLU)
Guests: Byron Schirbock, European Liason Officer of the German Research Organisations (KoWi)
Professor Dr Daniel Kaiser (ERC-StG, Justus Liebig University Gießen)
Dr Hannes Schihada (MSCA-PF, Philipps-University Marburg)
Professor Dr Mirco Göpfert (ERC-StG, Goethe University Frankfurt)
Date: May 24, 2023
Venue: Online
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
[Online] Betreuung von Promotionen: Rechtliche Grundlagen, Good Practices und Rollenmanagement
Lecturers: Dr Sarah Weber & Dr Ulrike Preißler
Dates: March 23 and 24, 2023
Venue: online (organised by MARA)
Participation fee: internal 40,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL, THM or MARA), external 75,- €
Further information is available here.
[Online] Strategische Karriereplanung
Lecturer: Dr Alexandra Franzke
Dates: December 1 and 2, 2022
Venue: Online
Participation fee: internal 25,- €, external 75,- €
Further information is available here.
[Online] Informationsveranstaltung: Drittmittel erfolgreich beantragen - Welche Rolle spielt Wissenschaftskommunikation für mein Projekt?
Introduction: Dr Livia Kaiser (Referentin Science Support, JLU)
Lecturers: Dr Anjana Buckow (DFG), Dr Fernanda Lins Brandao Mügge (ehemalige DAAD-Stipendiatin) und Dr Pierre Schwidlinski (VolkswagenStiftung)
Date: July 19, 2022
Venue: Online
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
Aufbau und Management der ersten eigenen Professur
Lecturer: Professor Dr Uta Bronner
Date: June 3, 2022
Venue: Philipps Universität Marburg, Forschungszentrum Deutscher Sprachatlas, Pilgrimstein 16, 35037 Marburg, Room 001
Participation fee: internal 25,- €
Further information is available here.
Berufungstraining
Lecturer: Professor Dr Bärbel Schön
Date: October 22, 2021
Venue: JLU Giessen, Room 201, Goethestrasse 58, 35390 Giessen
Participation fee: internal 25,- €, external 75,- €
Further information is available here.
[Online] Informationsveranstaltung zu Förderungen der Boehringer Ingelheim Stiftung, der Fritz Thyssen Stiftung und der Gerda Henkel Stiftung
Lecturers: Dr Sabine Löwer (Senior Officer, Boehringer Ingelheim Stiftung); Dr Svenja Schneider-Pichlo, Referentin, Fritz Thyssen Stiftung; Thomas Podranski, M.A., Leitung Forschungsstipendien und Sonderprogramme, Gerda Henkel Stiftung
Date: June 30, 2021
Venue: online (organised by MARA)
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
[Online] Betreuung von Promotionen: Rechtliche Grundlagen, Good Practices und Rollenmanagement
Lecturers: Dr Sarah Weber and Dr Ulrike Preißler
Dates: June 10 and 11 2021, 9:30 am to 2:30 pm respectively
Venue: online (organised by MARA)
Kursgebühr: internal 25,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL, THM, or MARA),
external 75,- €
Further information is available here.
[Online] Informationsveranstaltung zur internationalen Forschungsförderung
Lecturers: Christian Strowa (DAAD), Felix Beckendorf (Nationale Kontaktstelle MSC), Erfahrungsberichte (MARA, GGS, GGL)
Date: November 4, 2020
Venue: online
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
[Online] Personalauswahl und -führung in der Wissenschaft
Lecturer: Dr Matthias Schwarzkopf
Dates: October 1 and 2, 2020
Venue: online
Participation fee: 50,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL, THM, or MARA)
Further information is available here.
[Online] Strategische Karriereplanung
Lecturer: Professor Dr Annette Kolb
Date: July 16, 2020
Venue: online (organised by MARA)
Participation fee: 40,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL, THM, or MARA)
Further information is available here.
Aufbau und Management der ersten eigenen Professur
Lecturer: Professor Dr Uta Bronner
Date: November 14, 2019, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Venue: JLU main building, Seminarraum 315, Ludwigstrasse 23, 35390 Giessen
Participation fee: internal 25,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL, THM, or MARA)
external 50,- €
Further information is available here.
Informationsveranstaltung zur Forschungsförderung für Nachwuchswissenschaftler/-innen
Lecturers: Dr Anjana Buckow, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Dr. Selahattin Danisman (VolkswagenStiftung)
Date: July 17, 2019, 10:00 am to 1:00 pm
Venue: Philipps-Universität Marburg F|03, Deutschhausstr. 1-2, Lecture hall 01.70030
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
Betreuung von Promotionen - Erwartungen klären, Strategien entwickeln und Rechtsfragen beantworten
Lecturers: Dr Sarah Weber and Dr Ulrike Preißler
Date: June 13, 2019, 10.00 am to 6.00 pm
Venue: JLU main building, seminar room 315, Ludwigstrasse 23, 35390 Giessen
Participation fee: internal 25,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL, THM, or MARA)
external 50,- €
Further information is available here.
Berufungstraining
Lecturer: Dr Ulrike Preißler (Deutscher Hochschulverband)
Dates: February 27 and 28, 2019, 9:15 am to 5:00 pm respectively
Venue: Philipps-Universität Marburg, MARA, Deutschhausstrasse 11+13, 1. OG,
Participation fee: internal 50,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL, THM, or MARA)
Further information is available here (Page 69).
Personalauswahl und -führung
Lecturer: Dr Matthias Schwarzkopf
Dates: March 6, 2018, 10.00 am to 6.00 pm and March 7, 2018, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Venue: Philipps-Universität Marburg, MARA, Deutschhausstrasse 11+13, 1. OG,
Seminar room 01.0010
Participation fee: internal 50,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL or MARA),
externals 150,- €
Further information is available here.
Forschungsförderung für Nachwuchswissenschaftler/innen (Info-Veranstaltung)
Lecturers: Various
Date: November 8, 2017, 9:45 am to 1.00 pm
Venue: Aula of JLU Giessen, Ludwigstrasse 23, 35390 Giessen
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
Strategische Karriereplanung
Lecturer: Professor Dr Annette Klussmann-Kolb
Dares: October 5, 2017, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm Uhr (Workshop) and October 6 and 7 (1,5 hours individual coaching per participant)
Venue: JLU Giessen
Participation fee: 50,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL or MARA)
Further information is available here.
Promotionsbetreuung
Lecturer: Professor Dr Martin Zierold
Dates: March 29 and 30, 2017, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm respectively
Venue: Philipps-Universität Marburg, MARA, F|05, Deutschhausstr. 11+13, 1. OG, Seminar room 01.0010
Participation fee: 50,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL or MARA)
Further information is available here.
Aufbau und Management der ersten eigenen Professur
Lecturer: Professor Dr Uta Bronner
Date: October 14, 2016, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm
Venue: Philipps-Universität Marburg, MARA, F|05, Deutschhausstr. 11+13
Participation fee: 50,- € (for members of the GGS, GGL or MARA)
Further information is available here.
Forschungsförderung für Nachwuchswissenschaftler/innen (Info-Event)
Lecturers: Dr Anjana Buckow, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
Andrea Berg, Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung (AvH)
Dr Wencke Meteling, ehemalige Humboldt-Stipendiatin
Dr Thomas Stratmann, Kooperationssstelle EU der Wissenschaftsorganisationen
(KoWi)
Date: July 12, 2016, 9:45 am to 12:45 pm
Venue: Philipps-Universität Marburg B|03, Biegenstrasse 12, Lecture hall 02001
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
Berufungstraining für Postdocs
Lecturers: various
Dares: February 18, 2016, 9.00 am to 6.00 pm,
February, 19, 9.00 am to 5.00 pm,
February 29, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm,
March 4, 9.00 am to 4.00 pm
Venue: Seminar room 316, JLU main building, Ludwigstr. 23, 35390 Giessen
Participation fee: none
Further information is available here.
Promotionsbetreuung
Lecturers: Various lecturers of the Qualitätszirkel Promotion
Dates: February 25 and 26, 2016, 9.00 to 4.00 pm
Venue: Hotel Rheingold, Austrasse 2, 95447 Bayreuth
Participation fee: 60,- €
Further information is available here.
Personalauswahl
Lecturer: Professor Dr Lothar Schmidt-Atzert
Date: October 28, 2015, 10.30 am – 6.00 pm
Venue: Philipps-Universität Marburg, MARA, Deutschhausstrasse 11+13, 1. OG, Seminar room
01.0030
Participation fee: 25,- €
Further information is available here.
Strategische Karriereplanung für Postdoktorierende
Lecturer: Dr Silke Oehrlein-Karpi
Dates: January 19, 2015, 10.00 am to 6.00 pm and January 20, 2015, 9.00 am to 1.00 pm
Venue: Philipps-Universität Marburg, MARA, Deutschhausstrasse 11+13, Seminar room 01.0010
Participation fee: 50,- €
Further information is available here.
Supervising PhDs / Promotionsbetreuung
Lecturers: Various lecturers of the Qualitätszirkel Promotion
Dates: March 4 - 6, 2015
Location: Koblenz
Participation fee: none.
Berufungstraining für Postdoktorierende
Lecturers: Dr Ulrike Preißler (Deutscher Hochschulverband) et al.
Format: Workshop
Dates: May 8., 9, and 16, 2014
Further information is available here.