Organizing the Postdoc Phase
The postdoc phase is a crucial time for the further development of academic skills and the development of one's own research profile. Postdocs in the early stages of their career are key players in research and teaching because they publish, supervise theses, participate in academic self-administration and acquire third-party funding. As an interdisciplinary institution, the PhD/Postdoc Career Center (ZePrOs) supports the further qualification of researchers in qualification phases across all disciplines; in addition, various other institutions at Osnabrück University provide a wide range of services to support postdocs in their diverse activities as well as in their career development and integration into the scientific community. The following information on academic qualification, career development and research practice is aimed directly at academics who have completed their doctorate and are working as a postdoc in research and teaching at the University, whether as a research associate or as a scholarship holder. In the FAQ you will find answers to some frequently asked questions from postdocs.
Information on Academic Qualifications & Career Development
Osnabrück University offers its postdocs and professors the Career Consultations for the Postdoc Phase (PDF, 1.58 MB), a discussion guide as a basis for regular exchanges on individual career development. In view of the wealth of possible career paths and additional qualifications open to postdocs, discussions between postdocs and professors are an important part of career planning. The career talks are voluntary. However, it is recommended that they take place at least once a year.
The traditional route to a university professorship in Germany is the habilitation procedure. In some subjects, this is still the most common route. As a rule, a habilitation comprises the preparation of a habilitation thesis and an examination procedure that proves the candidate's ability to teach in an academic subject. The number of habilitations has been declining in most subjects for years.
Depending on the subject area, postdocs can also qualify for a university professorship through habilitation-equivalent achievements. Working as a junior professor or leading a junior research group can be alternatives to a habilitation and are therefore equivalent to a habilitation. Whether it makes sense to prepare for a habilitation depends on the respective discipline.
Osnabrück University has published its own habilitation regulations that manage the requirements for and process of habilitation.
The Academic Fixed-Term Contract Act provides the framework for fixed-term contracts in the academic sector. In the postdoc phase, it is important to know the regulations of the WissZeitVG and to keep an eye on maximum contract terms for your own career planning.
The University's Human Resources Department provides employees with individual information on where they stand regarding the WissZeitVG.
The ZePrOs regularly organises information events on this topic in cooperation with the Human Resources Department. Details can be found in the Courses and Events Program.
Further information on the WissZeitVG can be found on the BMBF Website (German).
As the central institution for emerging researchers at Osnabrück University, ZePrOs supports the further qualification of postdoctoral researchers in the early stages of their careers. ZePrOs offers postdocs crossdisciplinary qualification courses and individual support tailored to their needs, which support the acquisition of key academic and labor market-relevant skills, professional orientation and the active planning and design of university and non-university career paths.
Central components of the ZePrOs offer are:
Individual Consultation for Postdocs
The specific requirements and framework conditions of this transition and decision-making phase in academic qualification harbour a wide range of potential for conflict. The first step in dealing with conflicts should be a bilateral, confidential discussion between the parties involved in order to clarify any misunderstandings and seek solutions. If this does not lead to a resolution of the conflict, postdocs at Osnabrück University have several points of contact for confidential counselling and support in dealing with conflicts in the work context.
1. in the event of a conflict, ZePrOs offers individual counselling for postdocs on options and ways of resolving conflicts and, if necessary, also provides support in the preparation and follow-up of conflict discussions. With the consent of the person seeking advice, they may be referred to other organisations such as the Equal Opportunities Office or the Staff Council (only in German).
2. The confidants for junior professors at Osnabrück University (Prof. Dr Susanne Boshammer and Prof. Dr Robert Gillenkirch) are also available to postdocs as contact persons in the event of conflicts or challenging situations. They provide advice and support in a confidential setting with a view to finding a solution.
3. After an initial consultation in Zepros, additional support services of the Organizational Development can be offered if needed.
With the Female Promotion Pool of the Equal Opportunities Office, Osnabrück University supports projects that contribute to gender equality. The aim is to reduce the underrepresentation of women and to promote promising projects in the field of women's and gender studies.
With this in mind, Osnabrück University provides the following funding through the pool for the advancement of women:
- Graduation scholarships for talented and qualified young female academics
- Promotion of academic careers in research and teaching for female postdoctoral researchers
- Promotion of women's and gender studies in research and teaching
- Promotion of plans and projects for the actual implementation of equal opportunities for women and men
The postdoc representatives represent the interests of postdocs in the scientific advisory board of the ZePrO and can be contacted by all postdocs of our university. New postdocs are cordially invited to join the StudIP group “Postdocs at Osnabrueck University”.
Dr. Ella Duvhaniok ( ella.dovhaniuk@uos.de) and Dr. Larissa Koch ( larissa.koch@uos.de) have been elected as postdoc representatives for the term of office from 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026.
Postdoctoral researchers are requested to send an informal application for registration by email to: zepros@uni-osnabrueck.de, which will enable you to register for ZePrOs events.
By registering, you will be added to the ZePrOs email distribution list and will receive regular information on new events.
FAQ on Organizing the Postdoc Phase
For postdocs, ZePrOs offers interdisciplinary advice and orientation from the entry to the advanced postdoc phase. We are happy to inform you about qualification paths in science and requirements on the way to a professorship. We also give new postdocs an overview of networking opportunities, qualification offers and instruments for individual career development ("career talks"). In a phase of professional (re)orientation, we offer support in making decisions and reflecting on career options within and outside academia. This includes identifying the need for further training, particularly with regard to the ZePrO's offers.
Osnabrück University provides postdocs and their supervisors with the " Career Discussions for the Postdoc Phase (PDF, 1.58 MB)", a discussion guide as a basis for regular discussions on the individual career development of postdocs. Career development meetings are voluntary; however, it is highly recommended that they be held at least once a year.
The ZePrOs is a point of contact for postdocs who experience difficult situations or conflicts in the work context and, if necessary, refers them to other contact points at the university. Consultations are confidential. The contact persons for postdocs are Dr. Marie Drauschke (on parental leave) and Dr. Katharina Romund (parental leave cover).
Osnabrück University cultivates a culture of academic integrity, as set out in the DFG's guidelines for safeguarding Good Research Practice, and has published its own guidelines on this topic. This also includes an Ombudsman's Committee (only in German). In cases of possible scientific misconduct, university members can first seek advice on contact persons and procedures at ZePrOs. In addition, all scientists can turn to the Ombuds Committee for Research Integrity in Germany for advice and support on issues of Good Research Practice and its misuse due to a lack of integrity.
The prerequisite for participation in ZePrOs events is registration in ZePrOs. Postdocs simply send an informal email to zepros@uni-osnabrueck.de.
For postdocs at Osnabrück University who are registered with ZePrOs, participation in ZePrOs workshops and individual counseling are free of charge. A participation fee is charged for the mentoring programs. Information can be found on the program pages.
A mentoring program for postdocs is offered approximately every 2 years. Please inform yourself on the program pages.
The postdoc representatives represent the interests of postdocs on the ZePrOs Scientific Advisory Council and are available to all postdocs at the university. New postdocs are cordially invited to join the StudIP group "Postdocs at Osnabrueck University". Many contacts are made through participation in ZePrOs events, where you can get to know other people at your qualification level and exchange ideas, and in the mentoring program.
The University Library offers information and advice on this topic. The contact person is Dr. Marco Gronwald.
The University Library offers information and advice on this topic.
The Research Funding overview page provides initial insights into various third-party funding programs. The Research Consultants are also available for individual advice and support in the process of preparing and submitting applications.
Under certain conditions, the Central Research Pool provides financial support for postdocs in the phase of preparing their own substantial third-party funding application.