Graduate Center News 12/25
04.12.2025
Inhalt
Closing times of the Doctoral Degree Office and the Graduate Center
Please note the following individual closing times at the Doctoral Degree Office and the Graduate Center:
Biology / Pharmacy: 18.12.2025 – 04.01.2026
Biochemistry / Chemistry: 19.12.2025 – 04.01.2026
Graduate Center: 18.12.2025 – 04.01.2026
Important: If you want to submit your dissertation in December and make sure that the reviewers receive it before Christmas, you must submit it by December 15, 2025, at the latest!
Please also note that the buildings at FU Berlin will be closed from December 20, 2025, to January 2, 2026.
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Career Perspectives with a PhD in Natural & Life Sciences // Dec 11, 5 – 6 pm and Jan 8, 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 December, Dr. Daniela Zahn, who did her doctorate in Physics at FU Berlin, will be our guest. She works as a researcher at the Fraunhofer Institute for Electronic Microsystems and Solid State Technologies EMFT.
All information and the meeting link can be found on this website.
The next newsletter will be sent only short before our next Career Perspectives Talk in January. So please already save the date! On January 8 we welcome Dr. Stephan Hohloch, a chemist who is professor of Coordination Chemistry, Universität Innsbruck, Austria.
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Open online consultation hours from the Graduate Center // Tuesdays from 11 - 12
The graduate center coordinator Simone Schlender offers a regular open online consultation hour.
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
- 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 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.
No consultation hours during the closing time on Dec, 23 & 30!
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Scientific workflows: Tools and tips / Online lecture series by Dr. Selina Baldauf // Dec 18, 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 “Applied AI Tools for Scientific Programming”. Find further information and the meeting link here.
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Info event series: Doctoral studies at the BCP department // Jan 23, 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 January 2026 and deals with the topic “Thesis Publication & Awarding”
When does the thesis publication take place? Which formats of publication at the University Library are possible? Is the publication required for the award of the certificate? When can the title be used? When and where do I get the certificate? How can I become a member of the Ernst-Reuter-Gesellschaft and what are the advantages of it?
Join the online meeting, gather some information and ask your questions!
Further information and the Webex link will be posted soon 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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Emergency childcare
Your child is sick, the nursery school workers are on strike, there is no hope of a babysitter, but you have urgent work-related appointments to keep. What to do? Freie Universität Berlin has a family-friendly response: To help cover for these kinds of unforeseen childcare needs, the university has signed a contract with a family service facility to provide emergency care for university employees.
On short notice, urgent, and in the interests of the job. KidsMobil comes to you!
KidsMobil is available to provide childcare services for children ranging in age from three months to a maximum of 14 years at the parents' home, any day of the week, any time of day. The process for using these childcare options is described in detail in the terms of use.
The provisions on taking leave to care for a child pursuant to the collective agreements and applicable laws remain in effect in addition to this emergency childcare service. Emergency childcare is an additional service and family-friendly measure taken by Freie Universität Berlin for its employees.
All information and more details can be found here.
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2nd BIPoC Staff Meetup at Freie Universität Berlin // Dec 12
Hi everyone,
We’re happy to invite you to our 2nd BIPoC Staff Meetup at Freie Universität Berlin – a Christmas Special Edition!
Date: Friday, December 12th, 2025
Time: 13:30–15:00
Location: Illtisstr 7.
Language: English
This meetup is a space created by and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color working at the university — a chance to connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen our community across departments and roles. Whether you’re in academic, administrative, technical, or any other position, you’re warmly welcome to join.
We’ll have festive snacks and drinks waiting for you!
We wanted to create a cozy space, so you are welcome to bring something cozy to sit or anything that you don´t wanna miss at an X-mas special
Feel free to pass this invitation on to other BIPoC colleagues who may be interested.
If you have any questions, just send us a message at h.antwi@fu-berlin.de or felicia.lazaridou@fu-berlin.de
Looking forward to celebrating with you!
Warm regards,
Hannah & Felicia
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Dahlem Research School (DRS) Workshops & Open Door Talks
New Exchange Forum on Doctoral Education: All stakeholders involved in the doctoral process at Freie Universität are invited to join this university-wide dialogue on doctoral education: https://www.fu-berlin.de/en/sites/drs/forum/index.html.
DRS Podcast "Navigating your Doctorate"
The latest podcast episodes cover power dynamics in science (https://blogs.fu-berlin.de/drs_podcast/2025/11/06/power-dynamics-in-science-accessibility-selection-of-research-topics-and-privilege/) and power imbalances in a supervisory relationship (https://blogs.fu-berlin.de/drs_podcast/2025/11/10/power-dynamics-in-academia-supervisory-relationships/) or on Spotify.
WRITING WEEK // few spots still available
Date: 08.12.2025 - 12.12.2025
Venue: online
Instructor: Dr. Anselm Spindler
Objectives&Content: A few writing workshops spread amongst the first three days. Organization of writing sessions alone or in tandem. Learn about self-management and procrastination, establish writing groups and just write!
https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/115847
RESEARCH INTEGRITY: Doing Research with Probands
Take a closer look at your research with probands. What ethical issues can arise when you work with humans in your research?
Date: January 12, 2026 (12noon – 2pm) - Online
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/115490
OPEN DOOR TALK: AI & RESEARCH INTEGRITY: WHAT TO DO AND WHAT TO AVOID (ONLINE)
Date: 13. January 2026, 1:00-3:00 pm Berlin time
Format: online @ Dahlem Research School, Language: English
Researchers find a huge array of AI-based tools at their disposal with new opportunities emerging almost daily. Accordingly, many questions arise: Can I use AI tools for my dissertation? Should I make it transparent, which AI tools I use and, if so, how? How shall I document the use of AI? When publishing, can AI assist me or even be an author?
Further information and registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/115907
NAVIGATING CHALLENGES: Communicating Across Cultures with My Supervisor
Date: January 22, 2026 (1pm - 3:30 pm) - Online
Registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/115493
OPEN DOOR TALK: PROMPTING AND LITERATURE SEARCH (ONLINE)
Date: 11. February 2026, 10:00-12:00 hrs / 10:00-12:00 am Berlin time
Format: online @ Dahlem Research School, Language: English
Practical strategies for using large language models and AI-based search tools. Get hands-on experience through guided examples that help you craft prompts and integrate AI-enhanced search into your research workflow.
Further information and registration: https://www.drs.fu-berlin.de/en/node/122354
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Humboldt Graduate School (HGS), Graduate Center Adlershof (GCA) & BUA workshops
Wissenschaftliches Forschen und Schreiben mit KI (Vertiefung)
Vertiefungsworkshop und Anwendungen für Fortgeschrittene
Die Teilnehmenden lernen, verschiedene KI-Tools und Sprachmodelle wie ChatGPT, SciSpace oder NotebookLM gezielt und reflektiert in ihre Arbeits- und Forschungsprozesse zu integrieren. Der Workshop richtet sich an Personen mit Grundwissen zu KI-Anwendungen und zeigt, wie passende Funktionen und Tools sinnvoll für unterschiedliche Arbeitsschritte ausgewählt und in individuelle Workflows eingebettet werden können.
Trainer: Dr. Tobias Zervosen
Datum: 8.12.2025, 09:00-16:00
Ort: online
Sprache: Deutsch
Workhier! - Special Edition
Due to high demand, we are offering an additional module for German-speaking scientists, starting in April 2026.
In compact workshops, networking events, and career coaching sessions, you will reflect on your strengths and goals, learn your way around the Berlin job market, and establish contacts with local employers.
Application deadline: January 15, 2026
Workshop Academic Writing by the Humboldt Graduate School
January 19th & 20th, 09:00-18:00, ONLINE
Writing academic research papers or dissertations in English can be a daunting task. In this two-day workshop we try to make this task less difficult. First, we will discuss the expectations in regard to the structure of an argument in the different academic genres that you write (how to frame the research question, how to organize the introduction to a research paper or a dissertation, how to organize a literature review, a book review, etc.)
Second, we will discuss what is considered good academic writing style, and what we can do to improve it. How does a good writer make complex, difficult thoughts easier to understand? How can one write more concisely, improve the flow and the coherence of one’s writing?
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VBio Softskill Seminar “Berufsbilder in Pharma“ // Dec 10, 6pm
In dieser Veranstaltung werden typische Einstiegspositionen im Bereich Pharma wie klinische Monitorin, QM-Beauftragter oder Regulatory Affairs Managerin aber auch Pharmareferent vorgestellt und mit dem Einfluss auf die persönlichen Lebensverhältnisse wie Reisetätigkeit, Entwicklungsmöglichkeiten oder Verdienst analysiert. Zusätzlich werden Bewerbungsunterlagen besprochen und die Wirkung von Social Media zur Sichtbarkeit und Stellensuche vorgestellt. Weitere Infos zu den Angeboten der Referentin Frau Dr. Leistner unter: www.karriereberatung-biologie.de
Diese kostenfreie Veranstaltung findet am Mittwoch, den 10. Dezember um 18 Uhr online und in deutscher Sprache statt. Anmeldung hier.
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Una Europa Early-Career Researcher Fellowships // Jan 12
This call is aimed at funding research stays of doctoral researchers and postdocs (maximum 6 years after completion of the dissertation) of FU Berlin from all disciplines with a maximum funding amount of 2.500 €. We want to support individual research projects of early-career scientists within the framework of Una Europa, to further develop professional competencies, to enable independently initiated networks among peer scientists and to strengthen the scientific cooperation within the alliance. Selected applicants will work independently together with scientists from Una Europa partner universities. They should also act as ambassadors for FU Berlin.
Detailed Call for Applications
Application Form (online)
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Procope Mobility Grant – call 2026 // Jan 12
With the Procope-Mobility grant program, the Office for Science and Technology Service of the French Embassy in Germany supports the mobility of young researchers affiliated with a university or a research institute in Germany to France. These mobility grants fund research stays of one, two, or three months at a university or research institute in France. Research stays must begin between May 18, 2026 and December 31, 2026.
Applicants must be:
- doctoral students, postdoctoral researchers, or early-career researchers (within five years of their doctoral defense);
- affiliated with a German university or research institute.
Program beneficiaries will receive a fixed monthly allowance of €1,850 for doctoral candidates and €2,100 for other young researchers.
Applications must be submitted by January 12, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Paris time) via the LYYTI application platform (which can be modified until the deadline).
For more information on the application requirements, please consult the call for applications on the program's dedicated page on our website: https://www.science-allemagne.fr/cooperation-franco-allemande-2/les-programmes-de-mobilite-procope/procope-mobilite/
An online information webinar will be held on December 8 at 2:00 p.m. You can also send your questions by email toDr. Marie-Léa Rousseau attache-science.berlin-amba@diplomatie.gouv.fr.
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KlarText-Preis für Wissenschaftskommunikation // Deadline Feb 28
Der KlarText-Preis geht in die nächste Runde. Bis zum 28.02.2026 können frisch promovierte Forschende einen allgemein verständlichen Artikel oder eine anschauliche Infografik einreichen, in der sie ihre Doktorarbeit so erklären, dass auch Fachfremde verstehen: “Was hast du da eigentlich gemacht?“
Wer kann mitmachen?
- Promotion abgeschlossen in 2024 oder 2025 (sehr gute Bewertung)
- Fachbereiche: Biologie, Chemie, Geowissenschaften, Informatik, Mathematik, Neurowissenschaften, Physik – inklusive angrenzender Fächer
Warum teilnehmen?
- Preisgeld: 7.500€ pro Fachbereich
- Sichtbarkeit & Qualität: Überarbeitung der Beiträge gemeinsam mit Wissenschaftsjounalist:innen bzw. Grafiker:innen und Veröffentlichung im KlarText-Magazin
- Netzwerk: Aufnahme in das Alumni-Netzwerk der Klaus Tschira Stiftung
- Mehrwert für alle Bewerber:innen: Zugang zu einem NaWik-eLearning Angebot zur professionellen Wissenschaftskommunikation – unabhängig von der Platzierung
Hier informieren.