Some responses are very pleasing, while others point to a need for improvement: Some of the researchers stated that they appreciate the excellent working conditions at HHU, independence with regard to research and good professional support from their supervisors. Around 90% of those surveyed praised the good access to research infrastructure – something that ought to be a matter of course. There is a desire for greater planning of the postdoc phase to give it more structure.

A large number of those surveyed also expressed the wish for more support from their supervisors with regard to individual career planning, although some of the respondents stated that they do not find regular feedback sessions important. As the detailed results show, there are culture differences between the subjects here.

“In scientific careers, this phase in particular plays a significant role in defining the course for the future,” says HHU President Professor Dr Anja Steinbeck, “so we want to create the best possible conditions. Consequently, the Rectorate will consider the results of the survey carefully.”

In some fields, the young scientists are able to take a more proactive approach and e.g. seek their own mentors. The acquisition of additional competences, which is particularly important in this career phase, is supported by a diverse programme of further training offered by JUNO and other facilities at HHU. The programme for the second half of the year has just been published (https://www.juno.hhu.de/workshops-und-veranstaltungen).

Developing guidelines

After completing a doctoral thesis, the scientific profile is honed. “Many postdocs have fixed-term contracts, which is perceived as challenging and a cause of significant psychological stress. Above all, respondents used the free-text fields in the survey to highlight how their working ability is impacted by fixed-term employment contracts, among other things,” reports Dr Uta Brunner, who has published the results on the JUNO website. The results will now be incorporated into postdoc guidelines, which will be developed for HHU in a collaborative process. “The guidelines will include better structuring of this career phase. We want to make the rights and obligations of both sides – i.e. postdocs and professors – more transparent.”

The intention is to submit the guidelines to the Rectorate and Senate in early 2024. Before this, a participative process is planned, during which the DIID will once again provide specialist support. “We want to develop the guidelines together,” says Brunner, who is delighted with the participation figures for the bilingual survey: 27% of the postdocs at HHU responded.

Established services

The central contact point for postdocs at HHU is the Junior Scientist and International Researcher Center (JUNO). The Center offers consultations, events covering interdisciplinary competences, information about funding options and much more besides in close collaboration with the Graduate Academies of the Heine Research Academies. There is also a welcome service specifically for international postdocs. In addition, HHU offers further neutral contact and counselling services.

You can find further information and the survey results here

Some responses are very pleasing, while others point to a need for improvement: Some of the researchers stated that they appreciate the excellent working conditions at HHU, independence with regard to research and good professional support from their supervisors. Around 90% of those surveyed praised the good access to research infrastructure – something that ought to be a matter of course. There is a desire for greater planning of the postdoc phase to give it more structure.

A large number of those surveyed also expressed the wish for more support from their supervisors with regard to individual career planning, although some of the respondents stated that they do not find regular feedback sessions important. As the detailed results show, there are culture differences between the subjects here.

“In scientific careers, this phase in particular plays a significant role in defining the course for the future,” says HHU President Professor Dr Anja Steinbeck, “so we want to create the best possible conditions. Consequently, the Rectorate will consider the results of the survey carefully.”

In some fields, the young scientists are able to take a more proactive approach and e.g. seek their own mentors. The acquisition of additional competences, which is particularly important in this career phase, is supported by a diverse programme of further training offered by JUNO and other facilities at HHU. The programme for the second half of the year has just been published (https://www.juno.hhu.de/workshops-und-veranstaltungen).

Developing guidelines

After completing a doctoral thesis, the scientific profile is honed. “Many postdocs have fixed-term contracts, which is perceived as challenging and a cause of significant psychological stress. Above all, respondents used the free-text fields in the survey to highlight how their working ability is impacted by fixed-term employment contracts, among other things,” reports Dr Uta Brunner, who has published the results on the JUNO website. The results will now be incorporated into postdoc guidelines, which will be developed for HHU in a collaborative process. “The guidelines will include better structuring of this career phase. We want to make the rights and obligations of both sides – i.e. postdocs and professors – more transparent.”

The intention is to submit the guidelines to the Rectorate and Senate in early 2024. Before this, a participative process is planned, during which the DIID will once again provide specialist support. “We want to develop the guidelines together,” says Brunner, who is delighted with the participation figures for the bilingual survey: 27% of the postdocs at HHU responded.

Established services

The central contact point for postdocs at HHU is the Junior Scientist and International Researcher Center (JUNO). The Center offers consultations, events covering interdisciplinary competences, information about funding options and much more besides in close collaboration with the Graduate Academies of the Heine Research Academies. There is also a welcome service specifically for international postdocs. In addition, HHU offers further neutral contact and counselling services.

You can find further information and the survey results here

Some responses are very pleasing, while others point to a need for improvement: Some of the researchers stated that they appreciate the excellent working conditions at HHU, independence with regard to research and good professional support from their supervisors. Around 90% of those surveyed praised the good access to research infrastructure – something that ought to be a matter of course. There is a desire for greater planning of the postdoc phase to give it more structure.

A large number of those surveyed also expressed the wish for more support from their supervisors with regard to individual career planning, although some of the respondents stated that they do not find regular feedback sessions important. As the detailed results show, there are culture differences between the subjects here.

“In scientific careers, this phase in particular plays a significant role in defining the course for the future,” says HHU President Professor Dr Anja Steinbeck, “so we want to create the best possible conditions. Consequently, the Rectorate will consider the results of the survey carefully.”

In some fields, the young scientists are able to take a more proactive approach and e.g. seek their own mentors. The acquisition of additional competences, which is particularly important in this career phase, is supported by a diverse programme of further training offered by JUNO and other facilities at HHU. The programme for the second half of the year has just been published (https://www.juno.hhu.de/workshops-und-veranstaltungen).

Developing guidelines

After completing a doctoral thesis, the scientific profile is honed. “Many postdocs have fixed-term contracts, which is perceived as challenging and a cause of significant psychological stress. Above all, respondents used the free-text fields in the survey to highlight how their working ability is impacted by fixed-term employment contracts, among other things,” reports Dr Uta Brunner, who has published the results on the JUNO website. The results will now be incorporated into postdoc guidelines, which will be developed for HHU in a collaborative process. “The guidelines will include better structuring of this career phase. We want to make the rights and obligations of both sides – i.e. postdocs and professors – more transparent.”

The intention is to submit the guidelines to the Rectorate and Senate in early 2024. Before this, a participative process is planned, during which the DIID will once again provide specialist support. “We want to develop the guidelines together,” says Brunner, who is delighted with the participation figures for the bilingual survey: 27% of the postdocs at HHU responded.

Established services

The central contact point for postdocs at HHU is the Junior Scientist and International Researcher Center (JUNO). The Center offers consultations, events covering interdisciplinary competences, information about funding options and much more besides in close collaboration with the Graduate Academies of the Heine Research Academies. There is also a welcome service specifically for international postdocs. In addition, HHU offers further neutral contact and counselling services.

You can find further information and the survey results here

Some responses are very pleasing, while others point to a need for improvement: Some of the researchers stated that they appreciate the excellent working conditions at HHU, independence with regard to research and good professional support from their supervisors. Around 90% of those surveyed praised the good access to research infrastructure – something that ought to be a matter of course. There is a desire for greater planning of the postdoc phase to give it more structure.

A large number of those surveyed also expressed the wish for more support from their supervisors with regard to individual career planning, although some of the respondents stated that they do not find regular feedback sessions important. As the detailed results show, there are culture differences between the subjects here.

“In scientific careers, this phase in particular plays a significant role in defining the course for the future,” says HHU President Professor Dr Anja Steinbeck, “so we want to create the best possible conditions. Consequently, the Rectorate will consider the results of the survey carefully.”

In some fields, the young scientists are able to take a more proactive approach and e.g. seek their own mentors. The acquisition of additional competences, which is particularly important in this career phase, is supported by a diverse programme of further training offered by JUNO and other facilities at HHU. The programme for the second half of the year has just been published (https://www.juno.hhu.de/workshops-und-veranstaltungen).

Developing guidelines

After completing a doctoral thesis, the scientific profile is honed. “Many postdocs have fixed-term contracts, which is perceived as challenging and a cause of significant psychological stress. Above all, respondents used the free-text fields in the survey to highlight how their working ability is impacted by fixed-term employment contracts, among other things,” reports Dr Uta Brunner, who has published the results on the JUNO website. The results will now be incorporated into postdoc guidelines, which will be developed for HHU in a collaborative process. “The guidelines will include better structuring of this career phase. We want to make the rights and obligations of both sides – i.e. postdocs and professors – more transparent.”

The intention is to submit the guidelines to the Rectorate and Senate in early 2024. Before this, a participative process is planned, during which the DIID will once again provide specialist support. “We want to develop the guidelines together,” says Brunner, who is delighted with the participation figures for the bilingual survey: 27% of the postdocs at HHU responded.

Established services

The central contact point for postdocs at HHU is the Junior Scientist and International Researcher Center (JUNO). The Center offers consultations, events covering interdisciplinary competences, information about funding options and much more besides in close collaboration with the Graduate Academies of the Heine Research Academies. There is also a welcome service specifically for international postdocs. In addition, HHU offers further neutral contact and counselling services.

You can find further information and the survey results here