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Support for early-career researchers

Support for early-career researchers is one of the central strategic fields of action at Heidelberg University. The goal is to prepare young researchers in an optimum way for a career in academia, or outside the university, to attract the best scholarly talents from all over the world to Heidelberg and to position Heidelberg University as well as possible in the international competition.

With targeted support for early-career researchers, the university creates attractive, self-managed research spaces and connects the knowledge and abilities of its members across the generations.

The promoting of outstanding young researchers starts by the emphasis laid on research-related teaching in their study courses at Heidelberg University.

The term early-career researchers includes everyone working on a postgraduate doctoral thesis, or engaged in postdoc research to acquire a further qualification. Here Heidelberg University has set up structures to continue developing excellent conditions for doctoral training (heiDOCS) and open up many different career opportunities for early-career researchers with a doctorate/PhD (heiTRACKS).

Infografik career development

Doctoral candidates

Gaining a doctorate is regarded internationally as the prime evidence of the ability to do independent scholarly, scientific work. At Heidelberg University, doctoral theses are completed in the framework of many different options, ranging from individual research to research training groups for doctoral students (Promotionskollegs and Graduiertenkollegs), graduate schools, or international training networks. With around 1200 doctorates completed each year, Heidelberg University is one of the leading addresses for doctoral candidates in Germany.

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Postdoc stage and qualifying for a professorship

Heidelberg University offers its doctoral graduates an excellent, innovative research environment. The postdoc stage (R2) focuses entirely on developing a personal research profile and finding orientation with respect to a future professional career. Qualifying for a professorship (R3) at Heidelberg University is possible via four equivalent career paths: heading a junior research group, becoming a junior professor (without tenure track), obtaining tenure-track professorial status and habilitation.

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Research Projects and Institutions of Research Training Groups

All Institutions of Research Training Groups