Career development for postdoctoral candidates

The Cluster is committed to equal opportunities and considers this an essential concern. It includes career development for researchers of all status groups, such as measures to support personal development, careers advice and conflict mediation. 
The glass ceiling (the invisible barrier that stops or excludes non-privileged groups) is especially noticeable in higher status groups of non-professorial university teaching staff – the group made up of postdoctoral candidates aspiring to leadership roles. The Excellence Initiative may have expanded the number of development opportunities for doctoral candidates, but there is still a nationwide shortage of post-PhD support, one that also exists at the HU, and in particular a shortage of incentives for postdocs. The needs of female members of this status group are therefore a particular concern for the Cluster, and it holds a range of postdoc seminars to address them. Cooperating with Diversity Officers in the Berlin Excellence Clusters ensures that Excellence funding is consolidated effectively and simultaneously provides opportunities for female postdocs to network in Berlin. 

The Research Associate for Diversity in the Management Office cooperates with the Diversity Officers in the Berlin Excellence Clusters Topoi (Freie Universität) and Unicat (Technische Universität). Surveys are conducted jointly by the partner universities to establish needs, and training seminars organised based on the findings. These seminars cover topics from successful presentations to obtaining external funding and careers coaching.