Programme of the Career Days
Overview of all workshops, talks and lectures
Illustration for the programme of the career days
Here you will find all information about the programme and registration for the Career Days. The Career Days will take place from 11 to 13 November as an online event. There are three different event types: Short workshops, career talks and information lectures. On Thursday evening, there will be a networking event in the Auditorium of the Graduate Academy that will allow participants to get to know Alumni working in industry and society.
Registration is required for all events. There are only a limited number of places availible for the workshops and the networking event. We ask you to register for a maximum of two impulse workshops. Registration is also required for the career talks and the information lectures but places are not limited in these formats. Registration is possible from 14 October via the Qualification PortalExternal link of University of Jena. You can find more information on registration here.
Programme of the Career Days
Illustration: Graduierten-Akademie-
9am - 12am: How to Estimate & Negotiate your Salary (Workshop)
The salary is an important and sometimes difficult topic within an application process. This session enables you to define and negotiate an adequate salary for each job. We will discuss typical salaries for job starters and criteria which can influence the salary. We will learn to determine a salary for a specific position and how you can find out more about a company´s internal salary structure. Subsequently, we talk about the right approach to a salary negotiation and how to avoid common mistakes. Additionally, you get to know alternative options to substitute a lower payment offer.
- Statistical orientation for job starter salaries
- Calculation method for starting salaries
- Research tips for company internal information
- Salary negotiation procedure
- Alternatives if salary demands are not fulfilled
Trainer: Heidi Störr (Push Your Career - Career Consultancy)
Language: English
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9am - 12am: Mein Kompetenzprofil – Stärken identifizieren und gezielt einsetzen (Workshop)
Viele Promovierende und Postdocs sind sich oft nicht bewusst, welche (überfachlichen) Kompetenzen sie in ihrer wissenschaftlichen Laufbahn erworben haben – und wie wertvoll diese auch außerhalb der Universität sind. Die eigenen Kompetenzen müssen aber in Worte gefasst werden können, um sich erfolgreich inner- und außerhalb der Wissenschaft zu bewerben. In diesem praxisorientieren Workshop analysieren die Teilnehmer*innen ihre Kompetenzen, erstellen ihr eigenes Kompetenzprofil und üben, wie sich dieses Profil gezielt in Bewerbungsprozessen einsetzen und überzeugend kommunizieren lässt.
Lernziele:
- Eigene Kompetenzen identifizieren und benennen
- Individuelles Kompetenzprofil erstellen
- Kompetenzen überzeugend in Bewerbungen darstellen
Referentin: Dr. Iris Köhler (The Scientist Coach)
Sprache: Deutsch
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12:30pm - 2pm: Perspektiven außerhalb der Wissenschaft für Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaftler:innen (Career Talk)
Promovierte Geistes- und Sozialwissenschaftler:innen besitzen wertvolle Fähigkeiten, die auch außerhalb der Universität von einer Vielzahl unterschiedlicher Arbeitgeber benötigt und geschätzt werden. Viele Promovierende und Postdocs sind jedoch unsicher welche Karrierewege ihnen offenstehen und mit welchen Fähigkeiten sie bei potentiellen Arbeitgebern punkten können. Diese und weitere Fragen werden drei promovierte Wissenschaftler:innen erläutern, die den Weg in spannende neue Berufsfelder bereits gegangen sind. Sie berichten über ihren Arbeitsalltag und geben wertvolle Tipps zu Jobsuche und Bewerbungsprozess.
Alumni:
- Dr. Fabian Germerodt ist promovierter Historiker und aktuell als Senior Projektmanager bei dot.Source SE beschäftigt.
- Dr. Angela Anding ist Erziehungswissenschaftlerin und promovierte im Bereich Erwachsenenbildung. Nach der Promotion trat sie 2003 die Stelle der Geschäftsführerin des Zweckverbandes Volkshochschule Oberes Nagoldtal in Baden-Württemberg an. Seit 2020 ist sie Leiterin der vhs Jena.
- Dr. Sophie Ruby ist promovierte Soziologin und war anschließend zunächst mehrere Jahre zunächst als Fachreferentin und später als stellvertretende Referatsleiterin im sächsischen Landesministerium tätig. Seit einem halben Jahr ist sie Co-Leitung des Bereichs Wissen | Beratung | Innovation bei der Bundesstiftung Gleichstellung.
Sprache: Deutsch
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2pm - 4pm: Your CV - The Key to Unlock Opportunities (Lecture)
The first impression a potential employer has of you comes from your CV — and it can make or break your chances. As recruiters with over 10 years of experience in high-tech talent acquisition, we’ll show you how to structure and tailor your CV to truly reflect your potential.
In this session, you will learn:
- How to structure and prioritize content in a strong CV
- Dos and Don'ts in a CV for Industry
- How to present your expertise and experience clearly and effectively
- Practical advice during a live Q&A to address your individual questions
You’ll walk away with viable insights on how to craft a concise and convincing profile — with focus on the private sector.
Speaker:
- Oliver Voigt is an experienced Consultant at JENPERSONAL, specializing in recruiting for high-tech industries such as semiconductors, optics, and energy.
- Adrian Fuchs is a Senior Consultant at Technology Recruiting Experts, specializing in placing highly qualified professionals in tech-driven industries.
Language: English
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2pm - 3pm: AI for Applicants - Clever Support for your Job Search (Lecture)
This talk will familiarize you with AI-based tools and show you practical use cases for your application phase. Expand your understanding of this innovative technology in the application context. In this session you will get to know various AI use cases with practical examples for applicants. This will not only save you time in the future, but also improve your impression on the recruiter. You get tips on how to optimize your prompting so that you get the right result quickly. Furthermore, you will find out how AI tools are used in recruiting.
- Presentation of AI use cases for applicants
- Tips for formulating prompts
- Problems and undesirable results of AI tools
- Use of AI in Recruiting
Speaker:
- Heidi Störr worked as a Recruiter for several companies. In 2012 she founded "Push Your Career" a specialised career consultancy for doctoral candidates and postdocs.
Language: English
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9am - 12am: Confident Communication in Job Interviews (Workshop)
You’re (almost) done with your PhD? Now it’s time to show potential employers what you bring to the table. In this session, we focus on how to communicate your strengths clearly and persuasively in job interviews. Whether you're aiming for a career in academia or exploring options beyond, you'll learn how to position yourself with confidence and clarity. We’ll discuss what interviewers are really looking for, how to handle typical and tricky questions, and how to speak about your research in an accessible, engaging way.
Key takeaways and guiding questions:
- How do I present myself authentically and convincingly?
- What makes a strong answer to common interview questions?
- How can I translate my academic experience into skills relevant to other sectors?
- What strategies help to stay calm and focused during interviews?
Trainer: Dr. Annika Bartsch (Karriereberatung für Akademiker*innen)
Language: English
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9am - 12am: Navigating the German Job Market: Impulses for International Scholars (Workshop)
Germany offers a wide range of career opportunities for researchers and scientists—but knowing how to access them can be difficult, especially for international scholars. This interactive workshop provides an orientation toward the German job market, both within and beyond academia. We will explore insights into typical career paths, institutional structures and key features of employment conditions. Particular attention will be paid to the challenges international researchers and scientists may face, such as language requirements, cultural expectations and limited access to professional networks. Through practical examples and group discussion, the workshop aims to equip participants with a clearer understanding of how to identify suitable roles and take the next steps with confidence.
Key Takeaways and Guiding Questions:
- Which career paths are available for researchers in Germany—both inside and outside academia?
- How do institutional structures and employment conditions affect international scholars?
- How can you overcome language, cultural, and networking challenges to advance your career?
Trainer: Dr. Matthias Zach (Karriereberatung für Akademiker*innen)
Language: English
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12:30pm - 2pm: From Academia to Industry (Career Talk)
Are you thinking about leaving academia after completing your PhD or postdoc? You are not alone. The majority of PhD candidates do not stay in academia for their entire career. In this talk, three STEM alumni, who have successfully transitioned from academia to a career in industry, will share their experiences. They will give valuable advice on job hunting and application processes, career development and working outside of academia.
Alumni:
- Dr. Kim Lammers did her PhD at the Institute for Applied Physics in Jena. Afterwards she worked as a physicist in research and development at Dr. Johannes Heidenhain GmbH in Traunreut before taking up her current position as an optical designer at Jenoptik.
- Dr. Andrea Müller did her PhD in chemical ecology and currently works as Compliance Manager Manufacturing at Rentschler Biopharma SE.
- Dr. Moritz Köhler did his PhD in polymer chemistry and currently works as Requirements / Supply Chain Manager at IBU-tec advanced materials AG.
Language: English
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2pm - 4pm: Im Bewerbungsgespräch überzeugen: Einblicke einer Recruiting-Expertin (Lecture)
Wie beantworte ich die Frage nach meinem Wunschgehalt? Und ist Perfektionismus wirklich die ideale Schwäche? Mit diesen oder ähnlichen Themen beschäftigt man sich in Vorbereitung auf ein Bewerbungsgespräch. Aber was sagt eigentlich jemand dazu, der jahrelang als Personalreferentin im Recruiting unterwegs war? Jana Mahnken hat in einem großen deutschen Unternehmen über 1500 Bewerbungsgespräche mit Fach- und Führungskräften unterschiedlicher Fachrichtungen geführt. In ihrem Vortrag behandelt Sie die folgenden Themen:
- Typischer Ablauf eines Vorstellungsgespräches
- Optimale Vorbereitung
- Reaktion auf knifflige Fragen
- Dos und Don’ts
Auch Sie als Teilnehmende sind herzlich eingeladen, ihre Fragen zum Thema Bewerbungsgespräch mitzubringen.
Referentin: Jana Mahnken ist Referentin für außerakademische Karrierewege im Postdoc-Zentrum der Universität Kiel. Davor war sie über 10 Jahre als Personalreferentin bei Ferchau tätig.
Sprache: Deutsch
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2pm - 4pm: Staying in Jena after the PhD: Reaching the finishing line and mastering the career transition (Lecture)
Jena and its surroundings combine high quality of living with a large variety of exciting career opportunities offered by international companies like Schott Zeiss and JenOptik, but also by numerous start-ups and smaller companies. This talk explores options open to everyone who considers staying in the region after finishing their PhD (or Postdoc) at the Friedrich Schiller University. It focuses especially on international researchers but is open for everyone.
It will tackle the following questions:
- What are your options regarding financing and Residence Act (for non-EU-citizens)?
- What employment chances do you have in Jena?
- How does the Jena employers’ landscape look like and which branches could be relevant for you?
- Which channels can you use for your job search in Jena and who can support you on the way to employment?
Speaker:
- Dr. Alexander Schwarzkopf studied biology in Tübingen. During his doctorate, he investigated plant resistance mechanisms against plant-sucking insects at the MPI for Chemical Ecology in Jena. Today, he works at the Graduate Academy of Friedrich Schiller University in Jena and is an expert in the field of internationalization of the doctoral and postdoctoral phase. His daily business moves between individual counseling, institutional development, and international higher education policy topics.
- Cornelia Meyerrose is Head of Skilled Employee Service at Jena Business Development. She advises companies on how to attract and retain skilled professionals and supports international talents in navigating their next career steps. With her own career path bridging academic study, career transitions, and relocation, she understands the unique challenges faced by PhD students nearing the end of their doctoral journey — and offers insights on how to master this crucial step toward a fulfilling career in Jena.
Language: English
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9am - 12am: Werbung in eigener Sache - Werkzeuge für die Selbstbewusste Kommunikation eigener Stärken (Workshop)
Im Workshop lernen Sie Recruiting aus neuer Perspektive kennen und erarbeiten Handwerkszeug für eine selbstbewusste und chancenorientierte Strategie für Ihr „Marketing in eigener Sache“ mit Promotion.
Durch die ausführliche Beschäftigung mit Ihren Stärken, Ihrer Motivation und Ihrem Begeisterungsvermögen werden Sie Sicherheit für Ihre Präsentation beim potentiellen Arbeitgeber gewinnen und Vorstellungsgespräche souveräner angehen können.
Inhalte:
- Was interessiert potentielle Arbeitgeber besonders, wenn sie Promovierende einstellen möchten?
- Was braucht es für eine wirksame Selbstmarketing-Strategie?
- Wie kann ich meine Motivation und Begeisterung für mein Fach und meine Promotion kommunizieren?
- Welche Kompetenzen habe ich mir im Rahmen meiner Promotion angeeignet?
- Wie stelle ich klar dar, dass ich Berufserfahrung mitbringe?
- Wie bereite ich mich auf ein anspruchsvolles Interview vor?
- Wie finde ich heraus, ob die Stelle zu mir passt, welche Fragen stelle ich?
Referent: Wolfgang Leybold (Leybold Strategy Consultants)
Sprache: Deutsch
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9am - 12am: Die schriftliche Bewerbung für den außerwissenschaftlichen Arbeitsmarkt (Workshop)
Sich zu bewerben ist eine anspruchsvolle Tätigkeit, die den wenigsten Menschen leichtfällt. Eigene Fähigkeiten und Erfahrungen müssen bilanziert, mit Stellenprofilen abgeglichen und kommuniziert werden. In diesem Impulsworkshop erfahren Sie, was Sie bei schriftlichen Bewerbungen für den außeruniversitären Arbeitsmarkt beachten sollten und wie Sie typische Fehler vermeiden können. Sie lernen, mit welchen Kompetenzen Sie punkten können und wie Sie Ihr Profil in Bewerbungsverfahren authentisch und überzeugend kommunizieren.
Schwerpunkte:
- Übung zur Identifikation von Kompetenzen
- Die wichtigsten Bestandteile der Bewerbung
- Das Anschreiben – Kurz und trotzdem aussagekräftig formulieren
- Lebenslauf – Das eigene Profil passend zur Stelle präsentieren
Referentin: Evelyn Hochheim (Karriereberatung für Akademiker*innen)
Sprache: Deutsch
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12.30pm - 2pm: Karrierewege im Wissenschaftsmanagement (Career Talk)
Sie überlegen, nach der Promotion oder Postdoc-Phase ins Wissenschaftsmanagement einzusteigen? Damit sind Sie nicht allein. Viele Promovierte entscheiden sich für eine Laufbahn jenseits der klassischen Forschung und übernehmen verantwortungsvolle Aufgaben in der organisatorischen, administrativen oder strategischen Unterstützung von Hochschulen und Wissenschaftseinrichtungen.
In diesem Gespräch berichten drei Alumni, die sich im Wissenschaftsmanagement etabliert haben, von ihren Erfahrungen und geben Einblicke in ihre aktuellen Tätigkeiten. Sie erhalten wertvolle Tipps für die Bewerbungsphase und die Karriereentwicklung und haben auch die Gelegenheit, Fragen zu stellen.
Alumni
- Dr. Anna Späthe studierte Biologie an der Universität Jena und promovierte 2013 am Max-Planck-Institut für chemische Ökologie. Nach ihrer Promotion übernahm sie die wissenschaftliche Koordination verschiedener Doktorandenprogramme. Seit 2016 ist sie Koordinatorin an der Abbe School of Photonics und seit 2019 Finanzkoordinatorin der Max Planck School of Photonics.
- Dr. Andrea Stiebritz promovierte 2008 im Fach Anglistik an der FSU Jena. Nach der Leitung des Dezernats 1 Studierende der Uni Jena ist sie nun Leiterin des entsprechenden Dezernats der Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München. Darüber hinaus war sie von 2009 bis 2019 als Wissenschaftlerin an der Universität Heidelberg und der Universität Würzburg sowie im Non-Profit-Bereich bei einer großen deutschen Privatstiftung tätig.
- Dr. Oliver Pänke studierte Chemie an der TU Berlin und promovierte dort im Bereich Biophysik. Nach Stationen als Postdoc in Osnabrück, Potsdam und Leipzig sowie einem eigenen Gründungsprojekt wechselte er ins Wissenschaftsmanagement und leitet heute den Bereich Transfer am Servicezentrum Forschung und Transfer der Universität Jena.
Sprache: Deutsch
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2pm - 4pm: Your Entrepreneurial Career (Lecture)
For many students and researchers, career choices often seem limited to academia or industry. But there is a third path: entrepreneurship. This session invites you to explore entre- and intrapreneurship as an alternative career option. You will gain insights into the entrepreneurial mindset, reflect on your own strengths and blind spots, and discuss which skills and processes are essential to move from ideas to action. Together, we will examine what it takes to actively shape your own entrepreneurial journey.
Key questions and learning goals:
- How do entrepreneurship and intrapreneurship differ – and what do they share?
- What opportunities and challenges come with an entrepreneurial career path?
- How can I connect my academic expertise with innovation and market needs?
- Which mindset and resources support me on my journey?
Speaker: Kristin Hesche is a startup advisor at Friedrich Schiller University Jena (K1 Start-up Service). With many years in international companies and her own founder experience in Jena, she supports students, researchers, and alumni on their journey from idea to startup—covering validation, funding, and networking—while championing inclusive, practice-oriented entrepreneurship.
Language: English
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2pm - 4pm: Academic Careers in Germany: Positions, Career Paths, and Strategies (Lecture)
Do you want to pursue an academic career after your PhD? Do you want to know about career opportunities and long-term positions in the German academic system?
In this talk, you will learn about the different possibilities for long-term positions in academia. Since the main option in Germany is a professorship, we will talk about routes to get there (i.e. research and teaching positions, junior research group leadership, Junior professorship and Tenure Track positions, and also Habilitation or equivalent). You will get information on the requirements for a professorship, the selection process and advice on how to improve your career chances in academia to find your individual career strategy.
Key questions and learning goals:
- What are the options for academic long-term positions in Germany – and how do they differ?
- How does the German Academic system work, what are its specifics? – facts and figures
- What are the different paths towards professorship in the German academic system?
- What are the skills and qualifications I need to pursue my academic career? What are criteria for success in German academia?
Speaker: Anne Dünger is a science coordinator and manager at Graduate Academy. She currently coordinates postdoc and career counsellings, as well as information and qualification events for postdoctoral researchers.
Language: English
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6pm - 8pm: Get in Touch with Industry – Networking with Alumni
A strong network is a valuable asset for a successful career in industry. During this event, we would like to invite doctoral candidates and postdocs to get to know different career options outside of academia and, at the same time, expand their network.
In an interactive discussion format, four PhD-Alumni of the University of Jena from different companies will talk about their career paths and experiences in the industry. They will share valuable insights into application processes, daily work routines, and the specific requirements for professionals and executives in various industries. Additionally, they will give practical advice for a successful transition from academia to industry.
Afterwards, you may continue the conversations in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy drinks and finger food. This is an opportunity to expand your professional network and gain a deeper understanding of the various career opportunities available.
Alumni:
- Dr. Juliane Fischer did her PhD in microbiology and is now working as a marketing manager at Dynamic24 GmbH in Jena, a company specialised in organ-on-chip technology. Before this, she worked as an Application Specialist at the Cambridge-based company Dolomite Bio.
- Dr. Daniel Heine did his PhD in analytical chemistry / natural chemistry at the University of Jena followed by a two-year postdoc at the John-Innes Centre (UK). Since 2017 he works as a Group Leader Regulatory Product Chemistry at BASF SE.
- Dr. Manuela Scheibe did a PhD in pharmacy and currently works at Sandoz as a technical CMC teamlead, developing generic respiratory products.
- Dr. Andreas Schoepe holds a doctorate in physics and works as the team lead of the energy data and process management at the Stadtwerke Energie Jena Pößneck GmbH.
Host: Yvonne Siewert
Language: English
Place: Auditorium of the Graduate Academy (Johannisstr 13)
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Networking eventOn the evening of November 13, the event “Get in Touch with Industry – Networking with Alumni” will take place in the auditorium of the “Zur Rosen” building.
Graduate Academy
Johannisstr. 13
07743 Jena