Thursday, 30. April 2026

We discuss career-related topics and trends over lunch, this year with Dr. Anja Voss. Her career path took her from studying humanities at Ruhr University to the automotive industry: today, she is Manager Retail Excellence at Porsche AG.

Target group: Doctoral researchers from all subject groups of the UA Ruhr universities

Wednesday, 13. May 2026

We are offering the info session as part of the first European Doc Day, which celebrates doctoral graduates and doctoral education. The session will provide an overview of the program, including eligibility, application tips, travel funding, and what to expect during the stay.

Target group: International early postdocs (to-be) interested in exploring the research landscape of the University Alliance Ruhr.

Tuesday, 19. May 2026

Die Praxiswerkstatt soll Sie dabei unterstützen, ihre Bewerbungsunterlagen für Professuren (Junior-, Tenure Track-, Lebenszeit- und FH-Professuren) zu entwickeln und gut zu schreiben. Der Schwerpunkt liegt auf den längeren Texten Anschreiben, Forschungskonzept und Lehrkonzept. 

Target group: Postdocs aller Fachbereiche der UA Ruhr-Universitäten (max. 12 Teilnehmende)

Monday, 1. June 2026 — Wednesday, 3. June 2026

Scientific and research group work-processes are more and more based on project-work, sometimes with widely disparate and diverse members. This needs competences in two areas - project management skills and also the knowledge of how to build a team and to be able to cooperate with a variety of different personalities.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 12 participants)

Wednesday, 10. June 2026

This workshop is aimed at postdocs who consider an academic career a serious professional option. Participants will have the opportunity to conduct a comprehensive individual assessment to determine their development potential and plan their future academic career from their current position.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 12 participants)

Tuesday, 16. June 2026 — Wednesday, 17. June 2026

In this workshop, we will work on emotional and psychological aspects of decision-making and review the most common biases affecting our decision-making process as academics. You can practice some useful tools and strategies to reduce the impact of biases and improve your decision-making process.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 20 participants)

Wednesday, 24. June 2026

In this workshop, you explore the fundamental principles of networking and learn how to create and implement a personal networking strategy. Through practical exercises and exchange, you discover how to build and sustain meaningful connections - both online and offline - that support your career goals and professional visibility.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 12 participants)

Thursday, 2. July 2026

In this webinar, we explore how to navigate the pervasive uncertainty of academic careers with resilience and intention. Rather than seeking false certainty, you will learn practical tools to build confidence and adaptability in the face of the unknown.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 12 participants)

Monday, 6. July 2026

In the workshop, you will reflect upon your different tasks as an academic leader. The seminar provides you with useful tools e.g. the so-called management house for successfully managing your team.

Target group: Junior Faculty of the UA Ruhr universities (Habilitation Candidates, Junior Research Group Leaders, Junior Professors) (max. 12 participants)

Tuesday, 7. July 2026

Sie bekommen Informationen zum Wechsel in die Wirtschaft, Antworten auf Ihre Fragen und Kontakte zu Unternehmensvertreter*innen aus dem Jungen Initiativkreis Ruhr. Im Fokus steht das Matching Ihrer Kompetenzen mit den unternehmerischen Anforderungen. Nutzen Sie den Nachmittag für Einblicke, 1:1-Gespräche und Networking.

Target group: Postdocs und Promovierende in der Schlussphase aller Fächergruppen (UA Ruhr-Universitäten)

Tuesday, 7. July 2026

This workshop focuses on how to represent interests constructively, define professional boundaries, and make one’s work and contributions visible. You engage in interactive exercises that support reflection on roles and communication behaviour, enabling you to navigate team dynamics and hierarchical relationships more effectively.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 12 participants)

Tuesday, 7. July 2026

The workshop provides ideas on how you can become visible in the research and university context and position yourself strategically. It addresses how you can deal with the diverse expectations without getting lost in day-to-day business.

Target group: Junior Faculty of the UA Ruhr universities (Habilitation Candidates, Junior Research Group Leaders, Junior Professors) (max. 12 participants)

Monday, 13. July 2026

Postdocs find themselves in a unique leadership situation: they are responsible for doctoral students and projects, but rarely have formal authority. At the same time, they want to meet the expectations of their principal investigator. The workshop teaches the basics of how to become effective in this ‘sandwich position’ in three consecutive online modules. 

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities

Tuesday, 14. July 2026

This workshop introduces core concepts of goal-oriented communication, negotiation techniques tailored to research settings, and methods for providing and receiving constructive feedback. You engage in hands-on exercises that enhance your ability to communicate assertively and collaboratively in a range of professional situations.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 12 participants)

Friday, 11. September 2026

In this workshop, you will reflect upon your role as a principal investigator of a scientific project and develop your own project idea and a plausible project concept. You will also get an introduction to the funding landscape in Germany (including EU funding) and search for funding options.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 12 participants)

Monday, 14. September 2026

The workshop aims to help scientists reflect on their evolving roles and responsibilities, viewing an academic career as a consciously designed role portfolio.

Target group: Junior Faculty of the UA Ruhr universities (Habilitation Candidates, Junior Research Group Leaders, Junior Professors) (max. 14 participants)

Thursday, 17. September 2026

In the second module, you will learn about the publication process, get an overview of publication formats and platforms, and reflect about quality assessment (peer-review) and quality measurement (bibliometric indicators). Besides, you will develop a publication strategy in the light of forming the basis for successful third party funding acquisition.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities

Friday, 25. September 2026

This impulse talk will provide practical insights to help you position yourself as a strong candidate in non-academic roles. Learn how to identify your competencies and effectively communicate them in job applications and interviews.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 12 participants)

Wednesday, 30. September 2026

In the third module, you will reflect upon your mindset and attitude to become the principal investigator of your own project. You will become aware of your responsibility as a PI and strengthen your self confidence. In addition, you will develop an inner attitude towards expectations and failure.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 12 participants)

Wednesday, 7. October 2026

The last module adresses the overview the entire process of application preparation and assessment of which work steps are pending in which phase. It also deals with formulating the application in compliance with the basic structure and formalities. Last but not least, you will learn methods to develop a realistic work program including time and budget planning.

Target group: Postdocs of all research fields of the UA Ruhr universities (max. 12 participants)

Monday, 26. October 2026

The workshop aims to help scientists reflect on self-leadership while consciously shaping their contributions to a research organization. Additionally, it seeks to support the development of a sustainable and proactive academic career strategy.

Target group: Junior Faculty of the UA Ruhr universities (Habilitation Candidates, Junior Research Group Leaders, Junior Professors) (max. 14 participants)