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Newsletter September 2025 | | | | |
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Dear reader,
Being a postdoc is a time full of opportunities – and difficult decisions. From exploring possible career paths to navigating different types of contracts, this phase comes with its own set of challenges. At the same time, it opens doors for a wide range of career options and employment models. No matter which one you choose: German research institutions and companies offer young international researchers excellent opportunities to sharpen their profile and enter the next step in their careers.
In this issue of our newsletter, we take a closer look at the German Postdoc Network, the path to becoming a junior research group leader and the newly selected Clusters of Excellence. You can also follow the experiences of international postdocs in the “Spot on – Postdoc Portraits” video series of the Berlin University Alliance. Happy reading & watching! | | | | |
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| Wherever you see this tag, the post connects to our monthly spotlight topic. | | | | | | |
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Apply by: 23 September 2025
(Future) PhDs & Postdocs: disciplines related to the field of artificial intelligence | | | | |
DAAD Postdoctoral Networking Tour in Artificial Intelligence | | | | |
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Apply by: 1 October 2025
(Future) Postdocs: natural sciences, mathematics, IT | | | | |
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Apply by: 12 October 2025
(Future) PhDs: translational medicine | | | | |
ATLAS Translational PhD Program | | | | |
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Apply by: 13 October 2025
(Future) Postdocs: life sciences, natural sciences, social and human sciences | | | | |
Max Planck Postdoc Program | | | | |
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Apply by: 14 October 2025
(Future) Postdocs & Advanced researchers: all disciplines | | | | |
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Apply by: 31 October 2025
(Future) PhDs: all disciplines except for human medicine and dentistry | | | | |
Scholarships for doctoral students from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom | | | | |
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Apply by: any time
(Future) Postdocs & Advanced researchers: all disciplines | | | | |
DFG Individual Research Grants | | | | |
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Apply by: any time
(Future) PhDs & Postdocs: biomedical research | | | | |
Travel grants from the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds | | | | |
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Apply by: any time
(Future) Postdocs & Advanced researchers: all disciplines; applicants from developing and emerging countries (excluding PR China and India); research must contribute to sustainable development | | | | |
Georg Forster Research Fellowship | | | | |
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A spotlight on: postdoc careers and advanced research in Germany | | | | |
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| © iStock.com/Gorodenkoff Productions OU | | | | | |
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Community, support and representation: the German Postdoc Network
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The German Postdoc Network (GPN) was founded in 2024 with the aim of improving the postdoc experience through connection, collaboration and identity building. The network is open to all postdocs in Germany and provides a platform for community, information and advocacy.
On the GPN website, you can find useful information on career perspectives, legal frameworks and more. If you want to participate, you can join one of the Working Groups, which plan the annual GPN conference and conduct a postdoc survey, among other things. The network also offers regular online events and a newsletter that helps you stay up to date. Get involved and learn more on the GPN website! | | | |
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Groundbreaking research from Germany | | | | |
Germany is home to some of the world’s leading research institutions. We highlight contributions from a few of them, giving you a closer look at pioneering projects and discoveries. Find more on our website!
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| 🔗 Read more articles on our website. | | | |
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A closer look: work in Germany | | | | |
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| Leading an independent junior research group is an important step on the path to a professorship or other leadership roles. Since most positions are available between four and six years after your PhD, this step should be planned strategically. This guide by the GSO (Guidance, Skills and Opportunities for Researchers) offers valuable tips and resources on selecting the right programme and funding options, approaching host institutions, the application procedure and network building. The next step in your career starts here! | | | | | | |
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| © ExStra – Exzellenzstrategie | | | | |
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| The Excellence Strategy (ExStra) was established in 2016 by the German federal and state governments to strengthen the international competitiveness of research at German universities. In May 2025, 70 Clusters of Excellence based at 43 universities made it to a new round of funding – an essential step for fostering cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration. Funding will start in 2026 and run for seven years. Visit this website for more information on the Clusters and get one step closer to your next career opportunity! | | | | | | |
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The bigger picture: life in Germany | | | | |
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| Call it a passion or an obsession – Germans are known (and regularly made fun of) for their love of recycling. While visitors are often confused by the wide range of garbage containers, Germany can boast an excellent 70% recycling rate. You are planning a move to Germany … or simply curious? Then now is the time to get familiar with the German recycling system with this article and video on “How to survive German Mülltrennung”! | | | | | | |
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| Do you ever wonder how other (international) postdocs in Germany are doing? This video series by the Berlin University Alliance takes a fascinating look at the diverse career paths, future goals and motivations of postdocs in Berlin. Have a look and get inspired! | | | | | | |
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| The Research in Germany website offers a valuable overview for a postdoc career in Germany – from different career options to job portals and funding programmes. Find detailed information on employment types, applications and salaries, and get your research career in Germany started now! | | | | | | |
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| R2 – what may sound like half of a science fiction robot is actually a profile defined in the European Framework for Research Careers. R2 stands for “Recognised Researcher” and closely aligns with the tasks and competencies expected by postdoctoral researchers in Germany. This article offers a perfect introduction – particularly for international researchers not familiar with the framework – to the profile and how it can help you plan your career. | | | | | | |
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15.09.
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SEPT 2025 · ONLINE | | | | |
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15. – 19.09.
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SEPT 2025 · GERMANY & ONLINE | | | | |
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16.09.
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SEPT 2025 · ONLINE | | | | |
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16. – 17.09.
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SEPT 2025 · BRUSSELS / BELGIUM & ONLINE | | | | |
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25.09.
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SEPT 2025 · ONLINE | | | | |
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We listened to your feedback and will pause the “Your turn!” poll for the foreseeable future. Next month, however, will be an exception: you will again have the chance to vote for the spotlight topic of our December issue! And, of course, we still owe you the results of the July survey:
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Which mode of transportation do you think will have the biggest impact by 2040? | | | | |
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In July, we asked your opinion on important transportation modes in the future. Almost half of you (46%) voted for electric vehicles, while 18% each favoured high-speed rail, autonomous systems and – admirably optimistic – teleportation. We’ll make sure to remind you of those votes in 2040! | | | | |
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| Get updates about research career options and funding opportunities in Germany, the latest research news, interesting research projects and upcoming events. | | | |
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This newsletter has been prepared by:
Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst e.V. (DAAD)
Kennedyallee 50
D-53175 Bonn
Tel.: +49 228 882-0
Fax: +49 228 882-444
E-Mail: webmaster@daad.de
Internet: https://www.daad.de/en/ | | | | |
Authorised Representative of the Executive Committee:
Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee
District Court of Bonn
Register of associations,
number VR 2107
Sales tax number: DE122276332
Person responsible according to
§ 18 Abs. 2 MStV: Dr. Kai Sicks
Kennedyallee 50, 53175 Bonn | | | | |
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Editors:
Dr. Berenike Schröder (responsible), DAAD e.V.
familie redlich AG – Agentur für Marken
und Kommunikation | | | | |
Liability notice:
We are not liable for the content of any website run by third parties.This remains solely the responsibility of the third parties. | | | | |
Copyright © by DAAD e.V.
The content of this newsletter is copyright-protected. All rights reserved. The full or partial reproduction of a text or images without prior permission by the DAAD is prohibited. | | | | |
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