Helmholtz Career Development Centre for Researchers

PROCEED Postdoc Office

Sustainable Career Strategies for Postdocs

The AWI seeks to attract and promote the best people, and to offer our staff a unique scientific environment and comprehensive support in all stages of their development. Consistent with our mission, we take all measures necessary to promote and qualify the next generation of outstanding scientists. Our goal is to provide postdocs with the skills and support to become strong ambassadors for polar and marine science research for the AWI and the entire Helmholtz association. 

We provide our postdocs with the best opportunities to carry out world-leading and cutting-edge science and to advance their careers in the direction of their choice – within as well as outside of academia. 

With the launch of the Postdoc office for Professional Career Development (PROCEED) in 2018 the AWI seeks to support postdocs with the tools for a strong career path within academia, but also promote optimal career paths and ease of transition for those researchers aiming at a career outside the academic track (e.g. in the public and private sector, by self-employment, or founding one’s own company). PROCEEDS key functions are enhanced career planning, the promotion of a pro-active and self-enabled career development, and the encouragement to take steps towards early independence. Accordingly, PROCEED provides access to an individualized array of support measures to facilitate an informed career progression. We are also taking measures to better understand when career decisions are being made and which obstacles impede decisions making. 

PROCEED develops customized tools to empower postdocs to take charge of their careers, take well-informed decisions regarding their future career paths and hence shape their biographies. Consequently, we are also closely cooperating with PI’s and department heads to recommend suitable instruments and measures. PROCEED aims to improve the communication culture between postdocs and PI’s and function as a neutral third partner by providing ongoing mentoring services during early career development and ongoing career decisions. 

In career mentoring and coaching we promote a holistic approach that considers professional skills and competencies, but equally takes into account social and personal factors. 

Cara Nissen

Biogeosciences

Eduardo Queiroz Alves

Marine Geochemistry

Charlotte Schoonman

Glaciology

Henrik Sadatzki

Marine Geology

Kim Vane

Polar Biological Oceanography

One-Stop-Shop and Information Hub for all matters Postdoc

We are actively seeking the dialog with the AWI postdocs through a variety of tailored services, annual meetings and a comprehensive registration system and data base. We also welcome any voluntary engagement in our career counseling services, programs and events.

PROCEED provides a modular system of courses, mentoring & coaching, and networking opportunities for postdocs and PI’s. There are only four mandatory requirements for postdocs: registration with PROCEED, annual one-on-one meetings, annual Career Planning Review (CPR) and checkout from PROCEED with the opportunity to become part of our alumni network. All additional involvement, participation in career support instruments and general services provided by PROCEED are on a voluntary basis. 

With these solid foundations we are aiming at strengthening the postdoc’s awareness of their personal situation, career potentials, skills and development needs, and at clarifying their career goals: 


What we do...

PROCEED offers a great variety of services:

  • free Courses, Workshops & Events
  • individulaized career guidance by a certified career coach (Career Planning Reviews)
  • in-depth, multi week career counseling sessions (including personal skills audit)
  • extensive web presence highlighting events, funding oportuities & more, and growing job board
  • support during job applications
  • access to travel funds
  • monthly newsletter
  • support during challenging times and conflicts

PROCEED proudly supports the  Postdoc Team at AWI! 

Active Career Planning

PROCEED offers annual Career Planning Reviews (CPR)

A Career Planning Review (CPR) is a fully confidential guidance type of conversation with the purpose to raise your awareness for the field of Career Planning.

A CAREER DOES NOT HAPPEN - IT IS SHAPED BY YOU!

Our certified career coach is an independent third-party to discuss any aspect of your career planning. It does not contain any exams or testing, and all offered tools are optional. 

Exclusive access for AWI postdocs

PROCEED provides exclusively for AWI Postdocs a wide range of information on Career Development and maintains a steadily growing Job Board. (These Resources are only accessible with a valid AWI account.)

Selection of our PROCEED postcards. Available upon request.

OUR EVENTS

COMPETENCIES BALANCE

WORKSHOP

In a rapidly changing world it is of utmost importance to know your abilities and gain clarity about your goals. 

Date: to be announced

Recurring Workshop:  YES

Language:  Englisch

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES

WORKSHOP

Learn the skills how to master the interview process to be competitive in the current job market. 

DATE: to be announced

Recurring Workshop:  YES

Language:  English

INTERVIEW TECHNIQUES FOR PIs

AWI INSPIRES WORKSHOP

KICK-OFF Workshop for AWI INSPIRES Interviews for PIs

Date: to be announced

Recurring Workshop:  YES

Language: Englisch

YOUR PROCEED TEAM

Head of PROCEED

DR. SUSANNE GATTI

+49(471) 4831-1392

Susanne Gatti

Coordination

DR. TABEA ALTENBERND-LANG

+49(471) 4831-1492

Tabea Altenbernd-Lang

CHANGING EARTH - SUSTAINING OUR FUTURE

AWI INSPIRES

International Science Program for Integrative Research in Earth Systems

Every year, the AWI is recruiting more than 30 PhD candidates and Postdocs to strengthen its contribution to the new research program “Changing Earth - Sustaining our Future”. 
In 2022, the announcements were on these topics: 

·      Climate and Geosciences (atmosphere, ocean, ice and land)
·      Coastal systems
·      Terrestrial Arctic ecosystems and permafrost
·      Marine and polar life
·      Marine bioeconomy (aquaculture) 
·      Marine data science (MarDATA)

The Application Phase for 2022 has ended!

Suggested Reading

WHAT EVERY POSTDOC NEEDS TO KNOW

Liz Elvidge, Carol Spencely, Emma Williams

World Scientific Verlag

Your Postdoc is part of the journey towards a range of career destinations, and this book is designed to help you get there.

Link to the book

Suggested Reading

KARRIERE NACH DER WISSENSCHAFT - Alternative Berufswege für Promovierte

(Book only available in German)

Mirjam Müller, Campus Verlag

Der wissenschaftliche Arbeitsmarkt bietet nur fuer einen kleinen teil hochqualifizierter Nachwuchsforscher eine dauerhafte Beschäftigungsperspektive. Mirjam Müller entwirft eine praktische Anleitung für die Planung alternativer Berufswege. 

Link zum Buch

Important Resources for AWI Postdocs