Graduate Center News 09/26
Sep 07, 2026
Inhalt
Career Perspectives with a PhD in Natural & Life Sciences // Sept 10, 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, September 10, we welcome Dr. Britta Anstötz, a process scientist who works in the coordination office for Research Integrity at Freie Universiät Berlin and as coordinator for early career support in the Department of Physics, FU Berlin. All information and the meeting link can be found on this website.
There will be no meeting in October. In our next talk in November Dr. Seyedreza Goldoozian, a pharmacist who works as Head of Application Technology at Evonik will be our guest.
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Workshop on Empowerment and Self-perception for First Generation Doctoral Researchers // Sept 29 & 30
Are you the first person in your family to pursue a doctorate? Perhaps you were also the first to go to study? If so, this workshop is a great resource for you!
Over the course of two half-days, trainer Isabell Lisberg-Haag will guide you in developing an awareness of non-academic backgrounds, share sociological insights, explore privileges with you, and help you focus on your skills and strengths.
The workshop will be held in English on Tuesday, September 29, from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Wednesday, September 30, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. (two half-days) at Arnimallee 22, 14195 Berlin.
Please send a binding registration by email to Simone Schlender by September 10: graduate-center@bcp.fu-berlin.de
Available spots in the course will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
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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!
Do you have any questions relating 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.
There will be no open online consultation hours on the following dates (however, you are welcome to contact me to schedule a personal appointment on another day):
- 08.09.
- 15.09.
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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Info event series: Doctoral studies at the BCP department // Sep 25, 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 September 2026 and deals with the topic “Thesis Writing”
This info event deals with the topic of writing the thesis.
Is a monograph necessary or may a cumulative work also be submitted? What must be considered when writing a cumulative thesis? What are the requirements for a cumulative thesis? What should be on the title page? Is there a template? In which languages can I write the dissertation? Can unpublished publications (in preparation, submitted) also be included in the cumulative dissertation?
Join the online meeting, gather some information and ask your questions!
Further information and the Webex link can soon 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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Online Workshop “Introduction to data analysis with R” // Oct 12, 13, 19 & 20
Course offer by the Graduate Center: This workshop offers an introduction to data analysis with R.
The workshop's main goal is to equip you with essential R skills for analyzing your own research data, covering data processing and visualization.
Who is the course for? Doctoral researchers registered at the BCP department, Postdoctoral researchers at the BCP department
When? 12., 13., 19. & 20. October 2026; 9 am – 3.30 pm
Where? Webex Online Course (Please note that a video camera and a microphone are necessary for this course.)
Registration: More information and the registration link can be found here. Registration closes on 25.09.26.
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Mental Health Days // Sept 16 & 17
Setting Sail for Mental Health – Strengthened and healthy through the doctoral thesis
Do you have the feeling of being constantly tense, sometimes unable to cope with problems and no longer experiencing any fun in your daily work? A doctorate means more than just writing the dissertation. The pressure to perform and the degree of personal responsibility are high. What can you do to experience the doctoral phase in a healthy, even joyful way?
This workshop supports doctoral students in strengthening their resilience and thus their own inner stability. Together you will work on your personal productive mindset by strengthening your resources and developing helpful perspectives. Their own development potential is strengthened in order to master challenges more calmly and to achieve their own goals.
German Group: Register here.
English Group: Fully booked, but spots on the waiting list are available.
Date: 16.+17. September 2026
Venue: Umwelt-Bildungszentrum Berlin
Language: German and Englisch in parallel groups
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Dahlem Research School (DRS)
DRS Booking start for winter semester 2026/2027 starts on September 16 at noon!
Look through our program, choose the workshops and events that suit you, and prepare your account by confirming your membership before the booking start on September 16 at noon. → DRS Workshop Program: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/course_list
23.09.2026 | Promotion im Dialog: Einstieg in die Promotion (13 – 14 Uhr, online)
11.11.2026 | Promotion im Dialog: Forschungsdatenmanagement und Forschungsethik (12 – 13 Uhr, online)
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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.
A list of workshops and events from the BUA organizations for all doctoral researchers can be found here.
Research Data Management in the Berlin University Alliance – Best Practices for a Diverse Academic Landscape
The Research Data Day @ BUA cordially invites researchers from the Berlin University Alliance to come together for the first time to discuss, exchange ideas, and network regarding the handling of research data. The goal is to highlight best practices, share experiences, and expand the dialogue on research data management across the four BUA institutions. Feel free to present your own data-driven project with a poster (Call for Posters) — or come to the get-together.
Date: 21.10.26, 9:00-16:00
Venue: Freie Universität Berlin, Seminarzentrum, Silberlaube, Otto-von-Simson-Str. 26, 14195 Berlin-Dahlem
Language: English & German
The events of the Research Data Week (19. – 23.10.2026) can be found here.
BUA Kick Off Your Doctorate 2026
Have you just started your doctoral research? Take the opportunity to network with peers from the Berlin University Alliance (BUA) and acquire important skills for a successful start to your doctoral studies.
At the two-day event “Kick Off Your Doctorate” doctoral researchers from Freie Universität Berlin, Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, Technische Universität Berlin, and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin will receive practical insights on topics such as how to stay motivated, on self- and project management, doctoral supervision, research communication, and the German academic system. In addition, you will learn about key support and advisory services and make valuable contacts for the rest of your doctoral journey.
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Dates: |
27-28/10 |
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Venue: |
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Language: |
English & German |
Registration:
The „Kick Off Your Doctorate“ event will take place simultaneously in German and English. Please register for only one of the two groups:
- Registrierung für das deutschsprachige Kick-off über die TUB
- Registration for the English-language kick-off via the FUB
English Writing: Individual Online Tutoring
Offered in collaboration with the HU Language Centre. Open to doctoral candidates and postdocs of the BUA
This individual tutoring service offers free one-to-one consulting in English writing. The service is especially useful for those graduate students and researchers working on an article or on their dissertation. The tutoring is designed to help you 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 throughout the lecture period on Tuesdays 13:00-15:00. 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 13:00-15:00 between the 13/10/2026 and 02/02/2027 |
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Location: |
online |
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Language: |
English |
Financing Your Academic Career: Understanding Third-Party Funding in Germany
NEW workshop offered in collaboration with the HU Research Service Centre. Open to doctoral candidates of the BUA
This interactive workshop offers early-career researchers a strategic overview of the German funding landscape, focusing on the underlying logics of major programmes rather than specific proposal writing. Participants will analyze how different funding schemes align with distinct career paths and expectations to support informed decision-making. The session is designed for advanced doctoral candidates and postdocs aiming to strategically navigate their academic careers in Germany.
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Instructor: |
Ravindranath Constantin Somaratne |
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Date & Time: |
12/11/2026, 13:00-16:00 |
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Location: |
Humboldt Graduate School, Luisenstr. 56, 10017 Berlin, room 123 (ground floor) |
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Language: |
English |
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Budget Points: |
3 |
Speaking with Confidence and Impact
Open to doctoral candidates of the BUA. This workshop is being offered for the last time, for the time being.
This workshop focuses on building genuine speaking strength from the inside out, emphasizing relaxation and authenticity over mere techniques. Participants learn to connect with audiences and convey messages with confidence, enhancing their professional presence in various communication settings. The course encourages an open, curious attitude to help speakers stay focused, creative, and impactful.
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Instructor: |
Millie Baker |
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Dates: |
19 & 20/11/2026, 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 |
Verstehen, sortieren, klären: Wie die Kommunikation mit der Betreuungsperson gelingt
NEUER Workshop. Offen für Promovierende der BUA
Das Seminar zielt darauf ab, die Kommunikation zwischen Promovierenden und ihren Betreuenden während des mehrjährigen Promotionsprozesses effektiv und angenehm zu gestalten. Dazu werden unter anderem die Betreuungsvereinbarung, Grundlagen der gewaltfreien Kommunikation sowie Feedbackregeln und die Struktur von Betreuungsgesprächen behandelt.
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Trainerin: |
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Datum & Zeit: |
03.12.2026, 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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3MT Chemistry Science Slam Berlin // Nov 19
3MT Chemistry Science Slam Berlin – Your research in 3 minutes! Save the date!
Do you have an exciting research topic, such as your PhD project, and want to take to the stage and present your research to a wide audience? Then take part in the 3 Minute Thesis (3MT) Science Slam, organized by JCF Berlin at the German Chemical Society!
Where? FU Berlin, Dahlem Campus
When? 19 November 2026
Registration deadline: 8 November 2026
Why take part?
The winner will travel to the national final of the JCF Spring Symposium in Rostock – participation and costs will be covered!
Open stage for all areas of chemistry and related disciplines (biochemistry, materials science, chemical physics, etc.).
A great setting to showcase your research, expand your network and practice science communication!
Your goal: Explain your research topic in such a captivating way that it becomes understandable, entertaining and unforgettable in just 3 minutes – with only one slide (no animations) and as little technical jargon as possible.
Registration is easy: just enter your name and topic using this online form: https://forms.gle/RfUy2Ytrw1m7tMX9A
Any questions? Write to us at berlin@jcf.io
We look forward to your participation – bring your passion for chemistry to the stage!
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17th BSRT Symposium // Dec 8 & 9 // Registration until Sept 10
BSRT Symposium 2026 | Expeditions in Translation - Charting New Territories in Regenerative Medicine | 8-9 December 2026 at the Charité
The BSRT-Symposium 2026 is a gathering of explorers who have spent years navigating the uncharted territories of regenerative medicine, and those who are just beginning to chart their own course.
Interested? Find out more at bsrt-symposium.de or register now!
Be a part of the symposium – submit your abstract now!
Every great expedition needs its explorers. We warmly encourage all early-career scientists to present a poster or give an Early Career Scientist Talk – this is your opportunity to share your findings with an international audience and connect directly with leading experts in regenerative medicine.
If you have any questions or need further assistance, feel free to reach out at bsrt-symposium@charite.de or visit our website.
We look forward to welcoming you to the 17th BSRT Symposium and to an inspiring scientific exchange – the expedition starts here!
All the best,
Antonela | Lars | Lennard | Nele | Nora | Paulina | Sophie
BSRT Symposium Organizing Team 2026