Graduate Center News 10/25
Oct 02, 2025
Inhalt
Career Perspectives with a PhD in Natural & Life Sciences // Oct 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.
In October, Dr. Vanessa Marzetz, who did her doctorate in Biology at Universität Potsdam and Universität Greifswald, will be our guest. She is coordinator for the CompCancer program and also works at the Department of Environmental Health Protection - Bathing Water Hygiene; State Office for Health and Social Affairs Berlin.
All information and the meeting link can be found on this website.
In November, we welcome biochemist Dr. Ronja Driller who works in the pharmaceutical industry at Novo Nordisk, Copenhagen, Denmark.
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New offer – open online consultation hours from the Graduate Center // Tuesdays, 11am – 12pm
Starting on 14.10.25 regular open online consultation hours will be offered by Simone from the Graduate Center coordination office.
You have questions about:
- option doctorate and the department´s doctoral programs,
- 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
- or any other topics related to our services?
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 11am to 12pm starting on October 14.
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Hearings for the new professorship IZW Biodiversitäts- und Naturschutzgenomik // Oct 13, 11:45 – 13:00
The hearings for the appointment procedure for the new S-professorship at IZW will take place on October 13, 2025.
You are invited to the scientific presentations that will be held from 11:45 am to 1:00 pm in the Zoology Lecture Hall, Königin-Luise-Str. 1-3 in Dahlem.
You are also allowed to join the “Lehrproben” in advance on the topic: "Der Extinction Vortex und die Evaluationsgenetik am Beispiel des Kakapo" in German (20 min+ max 10 min discussion) in the Zoology lecture hall:
10:30-11:00 am Dr. Katerina Guschanski, University of Edinburgh
11:00-11:30 am Dr. Camila Junqueira Mazzoni, Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research
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Scientific workflows: Tools and tips / Online lecture series by Dr. Selina Baldauf // Oct 16, 4 - 5pm
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 for one hour and you are welcome to join.
The next session will be “Reproducible documents with Quarto”. Find further information and the meeting link here.
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Info event series: Doctoral studies at the BCP department // Oct 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.
In this info event our series starts again from the beginning 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: 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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Git Crash-Course by Dr. Selina Baldauf// Nov 10 & 11
Learning Git is a core skill for anyone who codes. Git is the standard tool for version control of code and other text files. Git protects your projects by recording every step, allowing you to recover files and reverse errors easily. In combination with GitHub, it turns reliable version control into a
powerful tool for collaboration and open and reproducible science.
The main goal of this workshop is to give you the basic skills to start using Git for your own projects both individually and in collaboration with your friends & colleagues.
Who is the course for? Doctoral researchers registered at the BCP department, Postdoctoral researchers at the BCP department
When? Monday, 10 November, to Tuesday, 11 November 2025, 2 – 4 pm
Where? Webex Online Course (Please note that a video camera and a microphone are necessary for this course.)
Registration: Please register by 27 October, 2025 via this website
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SciCommSupport Mini Workshop // Nov 5, 10am – 12pm
Science hostility and hate speech against researchers, science communicators and research institutions have increased noticeably, not least due to the coronavirus pandemic. But how can researchers and science communication respond to such attacks, prepare for them and find support? This workshop offers insights into the topic, presents advice and support services offered by the national contact point Scicomm-Support, creates space for personal exchange and provides practical tools through a group exercise. More information about the Scicomm-Support can be found online: www.scicomm-support.de.
We invite you to a short workshop on November 5 from 10am – 12pm online via Webex. Your colleagues and supervisors are also welcome to attend – please spread the word!
If you would like to participate, please send an email to Simone Schlender at graduate-center@bcp.fu-berlin.de to receive the participation link.
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Dahlem Research School (DRS) Workshops & Open Door Talks
DRS Annual Participant Questionnaire
We’d love to hear your thoughts on our workshops! Sharing your feedback only takes 5 minutes and helps us make our offers even better: www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/115722
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Welcome Day for Doctoral Researchers and International Staff Members
Meet doctoral researchers, the Doctoral Council and university staff
October 9th, 2025, 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
In person, location: Seminarzentrum Otto-von-Simson-Straße 26, FUB-Campus Dahlem
Program and registration: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/drs/offers/welcome-day-ECRs/index.html
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Open Door Talk: "What's Next Doc?" by Research Division of Freie Universität (in person)
Date: 13. November 2025, 14:00-16:00 hrs / 2:00-4:00 pm Berlin time
format: in person @ Dahlem Research School, Hittorfstr. 16, 14195 Berlin, room 001
Language: English
Are you nearing the end of your doctoral project and planning a career in academia? Maybe you already are a Postdoc and need further orientation on how to finance your future research? In this Open Door Talk, the team of Freie Universität’s research funding service will inform you about funding options for postdoctoral research projects.
They will introduce funding opportunities for the various disciplines from a postdoc perspective and present a short overview of interdisciplinary and discipline-specific programs and their requirements as well as tipps and information regarding proposal writing.
Further information and registration
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Promovieren mit Betreuungsverantwortung - Abschlussarbeiten gut begleiten! (in German)
27.11.2025, 09:30 - 17:30 Uhr
In person, location: DRS Hittorfstr. 16, room 004
Information and registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/115941
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DRS Supervisor Award – Nominations open
The DRS Award for Excellent Supervision honors professors at Freie Universität Berlin who combine scientific excellence with personal commitment - providing constructive feedback, keeping projects on track, and opening doors to the research community, from conference presentations to professional networks that last a lifetime.
Help us celebrate outstanding supervision! Nominate your supervisor here: www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/drs/doctorate/supervision-and-guidance/excellent_supervision .
The award is open to all doctoral researchers at Freie Universität Berlin. Know someone who recently submitted their dissertation? Please share - in case they no longer receive our mailings.
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Humboldt Graduate School (HGS) & BUA workshops
Stressmanagement – Promovieren mit Ruhe, Klarheit und Kraft
Am 10. Oktober findet der Welttag für psychische Gesundheit statt. Dies möchten wir zum Anlassen nehmen, auch im Graduate Studies Support Program einen Workshop zum achtsamen Stressmanagement in der Promotion anzubieten. Wie wäre es, wenn Promovieren auch anders gehen könnte - mit Ruhe, Gemütlichkeit, Klarheit & Kraft? Sind Sie bereit, dem Tiger ins Auge zu schauen und auf eine völlig neue Art zu promovieren? In diesem Workshop lernen Sie durch ein achtsames Stressmanagement die Promotionszeit zu einer wertvollen und lebensbejahenden Phase Ihres Lebens zu machen.
Datum: 10.10.2025
Ort: TU Berlin / ZEWK
Anmeldung: https://programm.zewk.tu-berlin.de/de/events/0196c8c9-5fef-7914-8320-03318f2178fe
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PDCA/GCA Workshop "From skills and values to clarity: A career development workshop for PhDs and postdocs"
Are you midway through your PhD or postdoctoral research and wondering what the future holds? Curious about various career paths but unsure of the skills you can offer?
Join us for a half-day workshop, in which we will explore yours skills and values in a highly interactive, engaging setting with your peers. You will leave the workshop with more clarity about yourself and more inspiration about the next steps in your career journey.
Date: October 16th, 13:00-17:00
Place: a:head area, Rudower Chaussee 24, Berlin Adlershof
Register here.
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Connect. Reflect. Empower. An online workshop for LGBTIQ+ academics
This workshop offers a safer space for connection and empowerment among LGBTIQ+ researchers in their doctoral phase and beyond. Through expert input, practical exercises, and peer exchange, participants will explore how to strengthen resilience, foster self-empowerment, and build sustainable networks within the academic world.
Every participant of the workshop is eligible for an individual coaching session with Dr* Joh Sarre in November to develop tailored strategies for personal challenges and/or professional development.
You will gain:
- Insights on the significance of empowerment, resilience, queer role models, and representation within the academic community.
- Guided techniques for stress management, relaxation, self-care, and self-empowerment, including practicing consent and setting boundaries.
- Interactive sessions in pairs and small groups to deepen learning, share experiences, and transfer new insights into everyday academic and personal life.
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Instructor: |
Dr* Joh Sarre |
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Date: |
30/10, 09:00-16:15 + individual coaching sessions between 3-12/11/25 |
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Location: |
online |
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Language: |
English |
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Budget Points: |
7 |
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Erfolgsteam - Gemeinsam Ziele erreichen
Das Graduate Studies Support Program (GSSP) organisiert in regelmäßigen Abständen Erfolgsteams als eine sehr wirksame Form des Peer Coachings. In kleinen Gruppen treffen sich Promovierende über einen Zeitraum von 6 Monaten, um sich gegenseitig bei der Erreichung ihrer Vorhaben im Promotionsalltag wie z. B. ein besseres Zeit- und Selbstmanagement, Vorankommen beim Schreiben und Publizieren von Artikeln, Arbeit an der eigenen Präsentation, Erhalt der mentalen Gesundheit u.s.w. zu unterstützen.
Kick-Off Meeting: 11.11.2025
Ort: TU Berlin / ZEWK
Anmeldung: https://programm.zewk.tu-berlin.de/de/events/019759f9-798e-7792-a686-97f8cfefa20a
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Kick Off Your Doctorate
Onboarding event for doctoral researchers who are just starting their doctorate.
The “Kick Off Your Doctorate” event will be held in German and English. Please register for only one of the two groups.
Die Veranstaltung wird von der Berlin University Alliance (BUA) gefördert, dem Verbund aus HUB, FUB, TUB und CHA. Unter Anleitung erfahrener Trainer*innen werden wichtige Tools zur Planung und Organisation der Promotion vorgestellt. Ziel ist es, einen ersten Einblick in den Promotionsprozess zu gewinnen. Teambildende Aktivitäten bilden den Kern der Veranstaltung und machen den Kick-Off zu einem wertvollen Networking-Event. Das dreitägige Event für Promovierende aller BUA-Einrichtungen findet in einem Hotel in Brandenburg statt.
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Daten: |
19.-21.11.2025 |
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Ort: |
Hotel Sommerfeld, Beetzer Str. 1A, 16766 Kremmen |
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Sprache: |
Deutsch |
The event is funded by Berlin University Alliance, a partnership of HUB, FUB, TUB and CHA. The three-day event will take place in a hotel amongst peers from all partner universities. The aim is to gain a first overview and insights regarding the doctoral process. Accompanied by experienced trainers, a selection of important tools to plan and organize your doctorate will be introduced. Group-building activities form the core, making the kick-off a valuable networking event.
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Dates: |
01-03/12/2025 |
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Location: |
Ginn Hotel, Warthestraße 20, 14513 Teltow |
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Language: |
English |
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3MT Chemistry Science Slam Berlin – Your research in 3 minutes! // Nov 5
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? 5 November 2025
Registration deadline: 23 October 2025
Why take part?
- The winner will travel to the national final of the JCF Spring Symposium in Cologne – participation and costs will be covered! (the 2nd and 3rd place will receive price money)
- 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://tinyurl.com/3mt-berlin-2025
Any questions? Write to us at berlin@jcf.io
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ReproducibiliTeach course // Nov 6
We are happy to announce our Fall 2025 edition of our course ReproducibiliTeach. We’ll meet online for five weekly sessions, each 90 minutes, beginning Thursday, November 6th at 15:00 CET.
Why ReproducibiliTeach?
- Flipped Classroom Approach: Watch concise YouTube lectures before class.
- Hands-On Lessons: Apply best practices in real time. Get feedback and insights from instructors and classmates.
- Essential Topics are covered:
- Reporting guidelines & risk of bias measures
- Research Resource Identifiers (RRIDs), Open Researcher and Contributor ID (ORCID), Contributor Roles Taxonomy (CRediT)
- Study flow charts
- Method reproducibility
- Spreadsheet data management & Data repositories
- Data visualization
Audience:
Ideal for biomedical researchers working with small sample sizes—preclinical, in vitro, or human studies.
Outcome:
You’ll leave the course with:
- Practical tools and guidelines for transparent reporting and reproducible science
- Knowledge how to reduce bias in your study design
- Improved data and figure presentation
- ECTS credit (0.8) upon successful completion
When & Where:
- Start Date: Nov 6th, 2025, 15:00 CET
- Final Session: December 4th, 2025
- Location: Zoom (link provided after registration)
For more info and to register, visit our course page.
We look forward to see you in our class!
The ReproducibiliTeach Team
Tracey Weissgerber & René Bernard
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TEM Equipment Training at TU Berlin – Fall/Winter 2025
This three-day training course provides an introduction to analysis methods, data acquisition, and data interpretation using (scanning) transmission electron microscopy (S)TEM. Participants will explore analysis options and gain hands-on experience in small groups, complemented by insights into sample preparation and the light microscopy required.
The course is aimed at scientists and technicians from university departments with a current or potential need for TEM analysis methods. Dates are arranged individually.
To register, please contact Dirk Berger (ZELMI): dirk.berger@tu-berlin.de
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