Workshop "The start-up phase of the doctorate: Identifying opportunities and challenges – setting the compass"
Career Center Workshop
- Start: Oct 7, 2026 09:00 AM (Local Time Germany)
- End: Oct 8, 2026 04:00 PM
- Speaker: Dr. Gunnar Seemann, Golin-Wissenschaftsmanagement
- Dr. Gunnar Seemann, Karlsruhe, did his doctorate in electrical engineering and information technology and then headed a [junior] research group in Karlsruhe and Freiburg for 15 years. Since 2020 he has been employed as a coach and trainer in the Young Investigator Network of the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology. In addition, he works as a freelancer and supports academics in their personality, competence and career development. His received a training as a systemic coach.
- Location: online
- Room: Zoom
- Host: Career Center
- Contact: careercenter@ipp.mpg.de
2 parts of the workshop:
1. 07. October 2026, 09:00-17:00
2. 08. October 2026, 09:00-16:00
Registration via https://plan.events.mpg.de/event/755/
An important prerequisite for a successful doctorate is a systematic
approach. In addition to defining personal goals, this includes setting
up a good supervisory environment, determining a suitable doctoral topic
and an initial conception of the work stages. This way, the classic
stumbling blocks won’t throw you off track and you can ensure lasting
motivation.
In the workshop, the participants will clarify the
central requirements of their doctoral situation and recognise in which
areas there is still catching up to do.
The focus is on the following points:
- The basics of the start-up phase: Developing constructive objectives
- Doctoral research as a process: Demands and stumbling blocks
- Impetus for the years that follow: The right PhD topic
- Maintaining a relationship: Dealing with your doctoral supervisor
- Contacts in academia: The thesis committee and further supervisors
- My skills profile: What additional qualifications do I need – for now and later?
- The start-up phase: My next steps