Graduate Center News 04/26
Apr 08, 2026
Inhalt
Career Perspectives with a PhD in Natural & Life Sciences // April 9, 5 – 6 pm
Looking for career options after your doctorate? And not sure what is “out there”? With the series "Career Perspectives with a PhD in Natural and Life Sciences", we would like to offer an opportunity for interactive and informal exchange about career-related topics.
On Thursday, April 9, we welcome Dr. Patrick Saloga, a chemist who works as patent attorney at Maucher Jenkins.
All information and the meeting link can be found on this website.
In May there will be no Career Perspectives talk due to the bank holiday. In our next talk on June 11 we welcome Dr. Sergey Trishin, a postdoctoral researcher from the University of California Berkeley (UCB).
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Open online consultation hours from the Graduate Center // Tuesdays from 11 - 12
The graduate center coordinator Simone offers regular open online consultation hours.
The consultation is always strictly confidential!
You have questions about:
- the mentoring programs at our department,
- the awarded titles Dr. rer. nat. or Ph.D.,
- the planning of your further career, training and education offers,
- the admission obligation on good scientific practice,
- the formal aspects of your doctoral procedure,
- or any other topics related to your doctorate?
None of your problems are too small or unimportant—come by and ask your questions.
Join me online via Webex (please wait in the lobby - I will let you in as soon as the consultation room is free). Always on Tuesdays from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
The advisory service is also open to master's students who seek advice in starting a doctorate. Please feel free to pass on this information.
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Scientific workflows: Tools and Tips / Online lecture series by Dr. Selina Baldauf //April 16, 4-6pm
In this lecture series we will explore a diverse range of topics, including R code quality and efficiency, reproducible document creation, version control with Git, literature management, and academic notetaking. You'll learn practical tips and tricks that can help you optimize your research workflow and increase your productivity.
We will meet online on the 3rd Thursday of every month during the lecture period and you are welcome to join.
The next session will be “Build and publish your personal academic website with Quarto”. Find further information and the meeting link in the attached flyer or here.
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Info event series: Doctoral studies at the BCP department // April 24, 11 am – 12 pm
The Graduate Center is organizing an information series for doctoral candidates at the BCP department. Once a month, the focus will be on a specific topic related to doctoral studies at the department, with a short input and the opportunity to ask questions.
The next info event in our series takes place in April 2026 and deals with the topic “Thesis Submission, Evaluation & Display Period”
In what form do I have to submit the dissertation? What should be taken into account when submitting a cumulative thesis? Which forms are necessary for submitting the thesis? Who appoints the doctoral committee? How is the evaluation procedure organized? How long is the display period?
Join the online meeting, gather some information and ask your questions!
Further information and the Webex link can be found here: https://www.bcp.fu-berlin.de/en/graduiertenzentrum/promovierende/veranstaltungen/info-events/index.html
Here you will also find the presentations of past information events as well as helpful links on the respective topic.
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Workshop Gender and Diversity-conscious Teaching in Science // April 27, 9 am -12:45 pm // Registration by April 10
The workshop is geared towards the subject-specific needs of the natural sciences and is intended to promote interactions and suggestions for reflection of your own teaching. Participants will receive practical tips and thematic information on how to deal with gender and diversity, such as how to shape the culture of discussion and learning or how to explicitly address unequal participation and discussion behavior. In this workshop, you will deal with various dimensions of gender- and diversity-conscious teaching, such as methods, communication, teaching content and framework conditions, and learn about important principles for good teaching.
The workshop will take place on Monday, April 27, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. in SupraFAB, room 201, Altensteinstr. 23a.
Your trainers are Dr. Jana Gerlach, staff member of "Toolbox Gender and Diversity in Teaching", and Dr. Alette Winter, diversity contact person at the department. The workshop is held in English. A workshop description can be found here.
Registration can be made by April 10, 2026, via the following link: https://ssl2.cms.fu-berlin.de/bcp/en/fachbereich/diversity/PM-registration-ws-diversity-teaching/index.html
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Online Workshop “Effective Digital Note-taking Using Obsidian” // April 27, 28 & May 5 // Registration by April 10
This workshop introduces effective digital note-taking and knowledge management principles using Obsidian, a free and flexible software. Through hands-on practice, participants will learn to use Obsidian to organize different aspects of their work.
Who is the course for? Doctoral researchers registered at the BCP department, Postdoctoral researchers at the BCP department
When? 27. & 28. April, 5. May 2026; 2 – 4 pm
Where? Webex Online Course (Please note that a video camera and a microphone are necessary for this course.)
Info & Registration: There are still a few places available. Register by April 10 via this website.
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Diversity & Career Development Day // May 18, 9 am – 5:30 pm
You are warmly invited on
Monday, 18.05.2026 | 9 AM – 5.30 PM
FU Berlin | SupraFAB | Altensteinstr. 23a | 14195 Berlin
This time it's about the following topics:
- Power Dynamics in Academia: Recognize, Reflect, Act
- Succeed in Scientific Collaboration: How our unconscious assumptions shape our work in research groups
- Resilience in Academia: A PhD Survival Guide
There will also be one-on-one coaching sessions ‘Power and Power Structures in Academia’ for doctoral students and PIs as well as counselling sessions regarding gender equality, discrimination and mentoring, in the context of career development. Bring all your questions, worries and hopes to share!
For further information please see the attached flyer! Please send an e-mail to Sarah Huch mentioning the chosen workshops: gender-diversityCRC1449@bcp.fu-berlin.de
As two workshops are scheduled for the same time (in the morning), select one for each session. Participation can be counted for credit points (IRTG's curriculum, DPNS curriculum).
If you have further questions or comments, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah.
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Dahlem Research School (DRS)
DRS Podcast "Navigating your Doctorate"
In our latest episode, Dr. Steffen Jaksztat, Sociologist at the German Center for Higher Education Research and Science Studies (DZHW), investigates how social background shapes the path to a doctorate - from the decision to pursue a dissertation to careers afterward. In the DRS podcast interview, he explains the importance of financial security, family expectations, and role models, the opportunities offered by formalized selection processes, and why mentors play a key role in the success of first-generation doctoral candidates. Listen to the episode here: https://blogs.fu-berlin.de/drs_podcast/2025/09/09/does-your-familial-background-influence-your-decision-for-against-a-doctorate/ or on Spotify.
ELSA-NEUMANN-SCHOLARSHIP
Description: The Elsa-Neumann-Scholarship supports outstanding doctoral researchers at Freie Universität Berlin with a monthly stipend of €1,350 plus an additional €100 per month for research materials, for up to three years.
Target group: Prospective doctoral researchers at Freie Universität Berlin with excellent academic performance whose doctoral project makes a significant contribution to their field.
Application deadline: April 15, 2026, at 12:00 noon
URL: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/drs/funding/nafoeg
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FUB-IT Lehre, Studium und Forschung // Fortbildungsangebote
Digital Lehren und Forschen - mit Kompetenz, Methodik und den richtigen Tools!Das neue Fortbildungsprogramm für das Sommersemester ist verfügbar (in deutscher Sprache):
17.04. KI-Chatbots in der Hochschulbildung
Erfahren Sie, wie der KI-Chatbot der FU zum Lehren, Lernen und Prüfen eingesetzt werden kann.
20.04. E-Research: Grundlagen der natürlichen Sprachverarbeitung mit Python
Auftakt Veranstaltungsreihe zu digital gestützter Forschung
07.05. Von der Krise zur Ressource: Wiederverwendbares Lehrmaterial
Lernen Sie die Erstellung wiederverwendbarer digitale Lehrmaterialien kennen, die entlasten und gleichzeitig hochwertige Lernprozesse unterstützen.
Hier gibt’s alle Veranstaltungen im Überblick
>> Aktueller Programmflyer (PDF)
>> Alle Veranstaltungen zu digitaler Lehre & Forschung
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Berlin University Alliance (BUA)
E-Learning Module “Good Research Practice for Doctoral Researchers”
This online course covers responsibility and misconduct in research, managing research data, identifying and avoiding questionable research practices, plagiarism, authorship & publication, and conflicts in doctoral supervision.
You can complete the course at your own pace. To fulfill the obligation to provide proof of participation in a course on good scientific practice worth at least one credit point (12 full hours) you also have to complete the optional chapter 2.2 Statistical Inference.
English Writing: Individual Online Tutoring
Open to doctoral candidates and postocs of the BUA
This individual tutoring service offers free one-to-one consulting in English writing. The service is especially useful for those for graduate students and researchers working on an article or on their dissertation. The tutoring is designed to help your develop your own proficiency in English writing, while polishing the text that you bring with you.
You can sign up for an individual time slot via Zoom of 60 minutes. These take place on Tuesdays 15:00-17:00 and on Thursdays 13:00-15:00 between the 14 April and 16 July. Please sign up for one of the time slots via the DFN Terminplaner.
At the time of the appointment, please bring up to 5 pages of text written by you (as a digital file) to your appointment. It might be a section of a thesis or article, an essay or homework assignment, a CV or cover letter, or any other English text.
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Instructor: |
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Dates: |
individual time slot of 60 minutes, Tuesdays 15:00-17:00 and on Thursdays 13:00-15:00 between the 14/04 and 16/07 |
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Location: |
online |
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Language: |
English |
This workshop is offered in collaboration with the HU Language Centre.
Lost in Dissertation? Virtuelle Veranstaltungsreihe für Promovierende vom 20.-24. April 2026
Während der Promotion stellen sich viele praktische Fragen, die einerseits die Arbeitsorganisation während der Recherche- und Schreibphase betreffen, andererseits aber mit dem entscheidenden abschließenden Schritt – der Publikation – zusammenhängen.
Die Berliner Universitätsbibliotheken und die Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin – Preußischer Kulturbesitz präsentieren auf ihren jeweiligen Expertisefeldern die Themen
- Literaturverwaltung,
- Schreibprozess,
- Projektmanagement,
- Publikationsmöglichkeiten,
- Open Access und
- Forschungsdaten.
So erhalten Sie einen kompakten Überblick über die wichtigsten Aspekte sowie weiterführende konkrete Informationen zu einzelnen Angeboten von FU, HU, TU und Stabi für Promovierende.
Open to doctoral candidates of the BUA
This workshop focuses on authentic public speaking to help researchers communicate their work professionally and effectively. Through interactive exercises, discussions, and feedback, participants will develop awareness of their personal presentation style and practice new communication strategies. The course includes practical training in verbal and non-verbal communication, handling questions, and designing effective PowerPoint slides.
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Instructor: |
Millie Baker |
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Dates: |
20 & 21/04, 09:00-17:00 |
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Location: |
Humboldt Graduate School, Luisenstr. 56, 10117 Berlin, room 144 (ground floor) |
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Language: |
English |
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Budget Points: |
16 |
KICK OFF YOUR DOCTORATE
The retreat is an on-site event. In order to create a space in which you can focus on your doctoral project and engage with other doctoral researchers, we meet at a conference hotel close to Berlin. Participants will be accommodated in single rooms.
Date(s): April 22 - 24, 2026
Venue: https://www.hotel-sommerfeld.de/
URL: https://pretix.eu/cgss/kick-off-26-en/
ERFOLGREICH IN DIE PROMOTION
Der Retreat findet vor Ort statt. Um einen Raum zu schaffen, in dem Sie sich auf Ihr Promotionsvorhaben konzentrieren und sich mit anderen Doktoranden austauschen können, treffen wir uns in einem Tagungshotel in der Nähe von Berlin. Die Teilnehmer werden in Einzelzimmern untergebracht.
Date(s): April 20 - 22, 2026
Ort: https://www.hotel-sommerfeld.de/
URL: https://pretix.eu/cgss/kick-off-26-de/
Resilience & Well-Being in Academia
Open to doctoral candidates and postdocs of the BUA
Thriving in academia without burning out is possible — and this workshop shows you how.
You'll uncover the inner critics and mindset traps that quietly drain your motivation, and learn why common coping habits like procrastination often make things worse. Walk away with practical tools to break self-sabotaging cycles and build a resilient, sustainable approach to your work and career.
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Instructor: |
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Dates: |
27 & 28/04, 09:00-12:00 |
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Location: |
online |
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Language: |
English |
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Budget Points: |
6 |
Workshop "Introduction to Research Data Management"
This workshop will cover essential topics in RDM such as naming conventions, data documentation and organization, legal aspects of data management, and data publishing.
Date(s): 07.05.2026 (9:00-16:30) & 15.10.2026 (2h)
Application deadline: 30.04.2026
Secrets of Impactful Poster Design & Presentation
Open to doctoral candidates and postocs of the BUA
This workshop outlines key steps for creating an effective academic poster, emphasizing clear text, visual logic, and optimal layout using grid design principles. It covers practical tips for software like PowerPoint, Adobe Illustrator, and Corel Draw, along with advice on imagery, graphic design vs. hand-drawn elements, and testing methods.
Participation in all three days is required.
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Instructor: |
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Dates: |
04, 05 & 11/05/2026, 09:00-12:00 |
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Location: |
online |
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Language: |
English |
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Budget Points: |
9 |
Verstehen, sortieren, klären: Wie die Kommunikation mit der Betreuungsperson gelingt
Open to doctoral candidates and postocs of the BUA
Eine Promotion dauert im Durchschnitt 4,2 Jahre und erfordert eine komplexe, sich ständig verändernde Zusammenarbeit zwischen Promovierenden und ihrer Betreuungsperson. Um die Kommunikation über diesen langen Prozess angenehm und zielführend zu gestalten, werden in einem Seminar Themen wie Betreuungsvereinbarungen, gewaltfreie Kommunikation, Feedbackregeln und strukturierte Betreuungsgespräche behandelt.
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Instructor: |
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Datum |
07.05.2026, 10:00-15:30 |
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Ort: |
Humboldt Graduate School, Luisenstr. 56, 10117 Berlin, R. 123 (EG) |
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Sprache: |
Deutsch |
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Budget Points: |
6 |
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Survey on Global Equity and Wellbeing in Science // open until April 30
How common are mental health struggles, discrimination, and bullying in academia? Are these related to gender, sexual orientation, place of origin, or ability? What drives researchers to leave – and how can we improve the current state?
Take part in an international survey on equity and wellbeing in academia, aimed at early-career scientists in STEM – both those currently in academia (PhD/ PostDoc/PI (no tenure)) and those who have left within the last 5 years.
Your voice will help shape a more equitable and supportive academic environment.
Explored topics:
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Bullying, harassment, and discrimination
- Career challenges and sustainability
- Barriers to reporting problems
Duration: 15–20 minutes | Anonymous | open until 30.04.2026.
Win a 25€ voucher for sharing your experience on systemic challenges in academia.
This survey is part of the Breaking Barriers in Science initiative started at the 74th Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting and is supported by the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Inclusion & Diversity Fund.
Help us capture experiences across countries to better understand what change we need.
Please direct any questions to Lindau Alumna Silvia Favero via e-mail at silvia.favero@icn2.cat.