Mentoring and Career Development

Call for nomination Elisabeth-Schiemann-Kolleg

until 31.03.2022

Within the Elisabeth-Schiemann-Kolleg scientific members of the Max Planck Society foster the careers of excellent female scientists after their postdoc phase, helping them to succeed on their way to a possible appointment as a University Chair or a director at a Max Planck Institute. The Schiemann-Kolleg supports activities by its fellows for a successful positioning in the scientific community. Additionally, the Kolleg offers a platform for transdisciplinary scientific exchange. Fellows are not supported financially.

The ideal Elisabeth Schiemann fellow has excelled in research after her PhD as a postdoc in chemistry, physics, mathematics, computer science or a technical discipline. She is about to start supervising PhD students independently as a group leader, junior professor or while working towards her habilitation: Where and how she is employed does not matter. Only tenured researchers are excluded.

Mentoring and Career Development

One of the pillars of a knowledge society is the best possible training of young academics. This is why the Max Planck Institute for Informatics offers intensive support for young academics and the possibility of successful individual career paths.

The Max Planck Institute for Informatics promotes and supports talented female scientists, especially during the phase of family and career planning.

Planck Academy

The Planck Academy bundles offers for further education and training courses under one roof.

Presence formats are linked with virtual offerings.

You can access the Online Training here.


Support for PhDs

  • IMPRS - The International Max Planck Research School for Computer Science

    The International Max Planck Research School for Computer Science (IMPRS-CS) is a graduate program jointly run by the Max Planck Institute for Informatics (MPI-INF), the Max Planck Institute for Software Systems (MPI-SWS), and the Computer Science Department at Saarland University. IMPRS-CS operates within the framework of the Saarbruecken Graduate School of Computer Science, which is responsible for all doctoral CS students on campus.

    Admitted students receive a first rate, research-oriented education in their chosen area of concentration. They enjoy close supervision by a world-renowned scientist in a competitive, yet collaborative, environment, rich in interaction with other students, post-docs, and scientists. The program is fully funded.

    Further information: https://www.imprs-cs.de/

  • GradUS - Support Centre for Doctoral Researchers at Saarland University

    GradUS organizes and supports the doctoral researchers at Saarland University: from financial support to organizing workshops and social activities.

    Further information: GradUS
    Suscribe to the newsletter to keep up to date with GradUS program events.

  • MPS PhDnet

    The PhDnet is the network of all PhD candidates and PhD representatives of the Max Planck Society. It was founded in 2003 to improve interdisciplinary cooperation, to optimize doctoral education and scientific exchange, and to strengthen academic solidarity.

    Further information: https://www.phdnet.mpg.de/home

  • UdS Career Center
    For a good start in your career

    The Career Center supports students at Saarland University in their professional orientation, in strengthening the practical relevance of their studies, and in finding suitable internships. During the graduation phase, it offers students and graduates assistance in planning and preparing their entry into professional life as well as opportunities to meet companies and company representatives.

    Further information: UdS Career Center

  • PhD Representatives

    Further information you can find on our intranet.


Support for Postdocs and Junior Research Group Leaders

  • Local postdoc mailing list

    News, workshops and other kinds of information for postdocs is distributed via the local postdoc mailing list.
    Subscribe to the mailing list here: https://lists.mpi-klsb.mpg.de/listinfo/postdocs.
  • PostdocNet

    The Network for Postdocs in the Max Planck Society

    A supportive network for postdocs throughout the MPS to fulfill the needs of the junior researchers and to set groundwork for future postdocs in the MPS, filling the gap between PhDnet and LeadNet.
    Join the group on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8740712/
  • LeadNet

    The Network for Research Group Leaders in the Max Planck Society

    In addition to the extensive training program for group leaders, the network "LeadNet" has taken root as a forum for regular exchange and coordination. At annual meetings, research group leaders and other researchers in leading positions have the opportunity to share scientific and technological knowledge as well as discuss their experiences regarding career planning and administrative questions. The Network LeadNet is an important exchange platform, especially for junior group leaders.

    Further information: LeadNet
  • Career Steps Opportunities for Postdocs

    Career Development Offerings

    Career Steps Opportunities is a service offered through the Max Planck Society to provide scientists with comprehensive information about our offerings in the areas of career development and the balance of work and family. Lectures by experts from the business community, industry, personnel management, and science point out possible career paths and actively support young scientists in their career planning. Workshops are also available on topics such as work-life balance, dual career planning, strategic career planning, gender awareness, and self-management and –marketing.

    Further information:Career Steps Opportunities - Road Show
  • Max Planck Symposium for Alumni and Early Career Researchers

    Exchange Between Alumni and Young Scientists

    The aim of the Max Planck Symposium for Alumni and Early Career Researchers is to provide a platform for the exchange between young scientists and experienced alumni. Alumni are important contact persons in other organizations and businesses. They are recruiters and possible sponsors and possess a pool of competencies and experience that the Max Planck Society can make available to its institutes and thus also to its young scientists.

    Further information: Max Planck Alumni Association (MPAA)

Support for Female Scientists

  • Lise Meitner Award Fellowship

    Max Planck Postdoctoral Fellowship for Excellent Women in Computer Science

    Every second year, the Max Planck Institute for Informatics confers the Lise Meitner Award Fellowship on an excellent female computer scientist in the postdoc phase. The fellowship gives these women the opportunity to develop their scientific ideas independently and without hindrance.

    Further information: Lise Meitner Award Fellowship
  • Sign up!

    Career Development and Support for Female Postdoctoral Researchers

    The Max Planck Society, together with the organization EAF Berlin, has developed a one-year qualification and networking program for young scientists, Sign up! The training program Sign up! prepares female postdocs for leadership roles in modern science through leadership competency training and the conveyance of knowledge. It also strengthens these young women through an explicitly career-oriented network. Training sessions, workshops, and meetings with experts and successful scientists equips the program participants for the competition in the European and international research landscape.
  • Minerva FemmeNet

    Positive Role Models – At Home and Abroad

    Minerva-FemmeNet is a network for female scientists at all research institutes and levels in the hierarchy of the Max Planck Society. Its aim is to pass on the expert knowledge of experienced female scientists – including former institute members – by having them mentor young female scientists.

    Further information: Minerva-FemmeNet
  • Elisabeth Schiemann-Kolleg

    Mentoring Network for Women in the Natural Sciences

    The Schiemann-Kolleg helps female scientists successfully establish themselves in science at the end of the postdoctoral phase, or as a group leader or junior professor on the path to professorship. The main program components are mentoring, networking, scientific exchange, and regular plenary meetings. Mentoring is achieved through one-on-one mentoring and/or group mentoring.

    Further information: Elisabeth Schiemann Kolleg
  • AcadamiaNet

    Expert Database of Outstanding Female Academics

    The "AcademiaNet" database contains the profiles of more than 2,000 excellent female scientists from all academic disciplines all over Europe, making women visible to the general public, to science, and to the media. It can be used by research institutes and bodies, journalists, conference organizers, and for networking among women scientists. The Max Planck Society is a cooperation partner and regularly nominates excellent female scientists to be added to the database.

    Further information: AcademiaNet