Postdocs are high performers in research and teaching while being confronted with diverse requirements, high competition, insecure employment situations, and unsure professional perspectives. Moreover, they often find themselves in a period of life characterized by fundamental private decisions and changes. Especially women and first-generation academics tend to question a future in science for themselves despite their high potential.

The mentoring program for postdocs aims to accompany and support qualified scientists in this phase after their doctorate on their career path and in their personal development. In this context, the mentoring program offers individual support in specifying professional perspectives, opportunities for the development of competencies and space for networking, peer support and confidential exchange of experiences with both professionally more advanced persons (one-to-one mentoring) and persons on the same qualification level (peer mentoring). In the long term, the program is intended to help strengthen equal opportunities in the science system, especially with regard to the diversity dimensions of gender and educational background. This is to happen on two levels: First, by supporting individuals who are structurally disadvantaged in the science system, and second, by raising diversity awareness and knowledge of structural inequalities among future leaders.

One-to-One Mentoring

Based on the mentees' wishes, experienced persons in management positions are acquired as mentors by the project management. The tandems determine the content and framework conditions of their collaboration. Possible topics are, for example, career planning, informal rules of the game in academia, and work-life balance.

In the preparatory workshop on April 12, 2024, we will, among other things, discuss how to search for and select possible mentors. This will be followed by the acquisition of mentors and the bringing together of the tandems. In an initial meeting, the tandems can get to know each other and clarify mutual expectations. The matching process is completed as soon as the mentee and the mentor have decided after the initial meeting to work together as a mentoring tandem for the duration of the program.

Detailed instructions and suggestions for shaping the one-to-one mentoring relationship can be found here (PDF, 707 kB) (in German).

Peer Mentoring & Networking

Peer mentoring is a regular, self-organized exchange among the mentee group. The mutual support regarding current questions and challenges of the postdoctoral phase is structured by the method of peer consultation. The program includes an introduction to this method.

In addition, informal exchange can take place, for example during at a regulars' table.

The network evenings allow all mentees to get in touch with each other and the mentors, as well as, if required, additional guests. The topics for the network evenings are chosen by the group according to their interests and needs. The mentees participate in shaping the network evenings.

Workshops and Discussion Events

Workshops with qualified coaches and discussion events with experts and experienced individuals support the career planning process, offer impulses for the development of competencies, and open up insights into career-relevant topics. This includes the critical reflection of inequalities and structural barriers in the science system.

Support Program and Supervision

The support program includes the preparation of the one-to-one mentoring and the contemplation of the mentees' individual aims at the beginning, midway and at the end of the program. In addition, the peer mentoring process is supported by group supervision. The supervision focuses on considering and shaping the collaboration among the diverse group in a needs-oriented way. The participants thereby strengthen their ability to understand and constructively shape group processes in heterogeneous teams.

The group supervision in the upcoming program cycle is conducted by the coach and supervisor (DGSv / DGSF) Dr. Nadyne Stritze.

Nadyne Stritzke, Dr. phil., is the central Women's and Equal Opportunities Officer and Head of the Office for Equal Opportunities (Stabsabteilung Büro für Chancengleichheit) at Justus Liebig University Giessen, a literary and cultural scholar, consultant (DGSF), supervisor/coach (DGSv), editorial member of the journal "Supervision. Mensch. Arbeit. Organisation", board member and training director at the Institut für Analytische Supervision Düsseldorf (ASv).

• institutional relation to Osnabrück University
• interest in interdisciplinary exchange, networking and peer support among postdocs of different levels of experience
• readiness to get actively involved in the mentoring program and the collaboration in the group of mentees and to invest about 1-2 days per month

A key factor in the effectiveness of the programs is the personal responsibility and commitment of the participating mentees. In the interests of the group as a whole, we attach importance to participation in as many program events as possible. Dates can be found in the program overview (PDF, 196 kB). A binding commitment for the preparatory workshop on April 12, 2024 and the kick-off workshop on May 23 and 24, 2024 (both in person events) is a prerequisite for acceptance.

Admission is based on a written application and a selection interview with the program committee.

For the written application, please submit the completed  application form (PDF, 344 kB) and a current curriculum vitae with details of publications and teaching activities in one pdf via email to mentoring@uni-osnabrueck.de by January 24th, 2024 (extended deadline). A separate letter of motivation is not required.
Interviews with the committee members will take place between mid-February and mid-March 2024. Invitations will be sent as soon as possible after the application deadline.

The program commission consists of the project management, a member of the steering group of the mentoring programs for scientists in qualification phases (Vice President for International Affairs, Diversity and Academic Staff Development, Head of the Division of Academic Planning and Development and Equal Opportunity Officer of the Osnabrück University), as well as university professors from the scientific advisory board of the ZePrOs.

In the spirit of promoting equal opportunities in the science system, we would like to particularly invite female scientists as well as postdocs whose parents did not study to apply. In view of the fact that female scientists continue to be disadvantaged and that women are significantly underrepresented at management levels, the aim is to allocate a greater proportion of places to female participants. In principle, persons with a non-academic background will be given preference in cases of equal qualifications.

There is a fee of 175 EUR for participation in the program, which can be paid in installments.

Applications in English are welcome. However, while the one-to-one mentoring can be held in English, the other elements of the program are held in German. Therefore, sufficient German language skills to allow active participation are required.

If you have any questions regarding the program or the application process, please contact the project manager.