Academia. Career Day. Friday, December 4 th, 2015 DKFZ, Communication Center. #acadcareerday

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1 Career Day Academia Friday, December 4 th, 2015 DKFZ, Communication Center Supported by the DKFZ PostDoc Network (PDN), PhD Student Council, Advanced Training & Career Service :00 Registration :10 Habilitation & Co: Options in Academia Professorship Appointment Process #acadcareerday Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, Heidelberg :50 Between PhD and Professor Universities, Institutes and Hochschulen :00 Workshops in Parallel Networking Grants in the EU How to choose a lab for my PostDoc? :10 Beyond Professorships Core Facilities, Tech Transfer :45 Keys to Successful Careers in Academia Work-Life Balance, Grant Management :15 Framework for your Career Planning What s up with the 12-year Rule? - Get-together -

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3 Post your questions & Follow us on Twitter: #acadcareerday Tweet directly from your mobile devices:

4 Welcome Address Dear PhD students and PostDocs, It is a great pleasure for me to welcome you to the DKFZ Career Day Academia. The Career Day aims to offer as much information and advice as possible so you can make an informed decision that leads to a successful academic research career. The program will provide important information on the required qualifications, job possibilities, major steps involved in an academic career and obstacles you might have to face in Academia. Representatives from the Heidelberg University and DKFZ will equip you with insider knowledge and practical information in a number of interesting talks and workshops. Since their inception, the DKFZ Career Days have become an excellent opportunity to provide PhD students and PostDocs with a deep insight into the variety of career paths open to scientists. Thus, I would like to thank the DKFZ PostDoc Network (PDN), Career Service and all contributors for their engagement. I would like to encourage you to make use of the support and training given to you in order to successfully develop your career in Academia. I wish all participants an interesting and successful Career Day at the DKFZ. Kind regards, Prof. Dr. Michael Boutros Scientific Director (interim) P a g e 1 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

5 Editorial Dear PhD students and Postdocs, We would like to warmly welcome you to the DKFZ Career Day Academia, which will give you the opportunity to learn more about different career paths and perspectives in Academia. The career day will cover many aspects essential for a successful career in Academia: - Major steps in an Academic career - Skills and qualifications required for a successful career in Academia - Job possibilities in Academia - Obstacles along the Academic career path - The 12-year rule and why it is relevant for you In exciting presentations, interesting workshops and vivid round table discussions DKFZ Alumni as well as other experts will share their experiences of various academic career paths and provide you with information that will help you with your academic career. Today you will have the opportunity to directly interact with the invited speakers, ask about their career paths and discuss your future career. We are very happy to have so many excellent speakers and highly appreciate their effort to share their experiences. We are especially grateful to our sponsors, the DKFZ Management Board, the DKFZ Career Service and the PostDoc Network who make this Career day possible. We invite all participants to take the opportunity and discover what is required for classical and alternative academic careers, to connect with invited speakers and interact with peers. We wish all of you an exciting day and much success for your future careers. Kind regards, On behalf of the organisation team: Noemi Bender & Felix Geist (Project Coordinators of the Career Day Academia ) December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 2

6 Table of Contents Program 4 DKFZ Alumni Association 5 Academic Careers in Germany An interview with Barbara Janssen 7 DKFZ Advanced Training 12 Free Online Training and Information Resources 13 Stefan Gröschel Winner of the 2015 ERC Starting Grant 14 Speakers Info 15 Patent and Technology Transfer 30 Organizers 42 DKFZ Alumni Network A Treasure Box 46 The Postdoc Network (PDN) 47 DKFZ PhD Student Council 49 DKFZ Career Service 50 Save the Date Upcoming Career Days 51 P a g e 3 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

7 Program 8:30-9:00 Registration 9:00-9:20 Welcome Address (M. Boutros) 9:20-9:50 Your possibilities in Academia (H.G. Kräusslich) 9:50-10:10 Insight into the professorship appointment process (G. Stöcklin) 10:10-10:30 Coffee break 10:30-11:50 Session I: Between PhD and Professor - Classical career paths (J. Hoheisel, P. Kioschis-Schneider, B. Tews, O. Gruss) 12: Round Table Discussions I :00 Lunch 12:45-14:00 Workshops (meeting point: DKFZ 12:30) - Networking (B. Janssens/M. Gürth) - Grants in the EU (S. Kentner and J. Kapeller) - How to choose a lab for my PostDoc? (D. Kastelic) 14:10-15:10 Session II: Academic career options beyond Professorship - Possibilities in core facilities and more (F. Kern, A. Busch, M. Paulsen) 15:10-15:40 Round Table Discussions II / Coffee break 15:45-16:45 Session III: Keys to successful careers in Academia - Grants, work-life balance & challenges (R. Sotillo, V. Rosenstiel-Goidts, M. Hafner) 16:45-17:15 Framework for your career planning What s up with the 12-year rule? (S. Weg-Remers, B. Kimpe, B. Crispin) 17:15 Get-together December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 4

8 DKFZ Alumni Association The aim of the Alumni Association of the DKFZ is to support long-lasting personal and scientific relationships between present and former members of our center and to maintain the exchange of ideas and experiences in this ever growing world-wide community at the national and international level. A particularly important target group of the activities of the association are young scientists, especially those from abroad, currently or previously working at the DKFZ. Quelle: DKFZ, Foto: T. Schwerdt The activities of the association include Network with current and former DKFZ scientists Publication of a Newsletter which is widely distributed Scientific meetings at the DKFZ and abroad Supportive social and cultural activities for visiting scientists and members of the DKFZ A travel grant program for short-term visits of young scientist to the DKFZ An Alumni address for members Alumni Club Heidelberg (coordinated by Gerhard van Kaick) Contact among members is supported by the recently introduced and password-protected membership directory. The membership fee is voluntary (but sponsors are welcome). Alumni visiting Roche Mannheim Contact information Prof. Dr. Manfred Schwab (Chairman of the Board of Alumni DKFZ), phone: +49 (0) Elfriede Mang (Secretary Alumni DKFZ), phone: +49 (0) e.mang@dkfz.de Join the DKFZ-Alumni group on LinkedIn and stay connected! P a g e 5 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

9 The DKFZ Alumni Association During your time at the DKFZ you will have established contacts with many other scientists working here. These contacts can be helpful to you later both in your scientific career and also personally. The DKFZ Alumni Association was established in 2004 to facilitate members in maintaining these contacts, to keep you up to date with news from the DKFZ and for us to hear about your news. As a member, or former member of the DKFZ we therefore warmly invite you to join the DKFZ Alumni Association. Membership benefits are: continue to belong to the international DKFZ community establish long-lasting personal and scientific relationships between current and former scientists and staff of the DKFZ apply for a DKFZ Alumni address your.name@alumni.dkfz.de be listed in the DKFZ Alumni membership directory which will enable you to communicate with the other DKFZ Alumni members around the world receive information about the current scientific activities, press releases and publications of the DKFZ through the Alumni newsletters and other news Meet other DKFZ current members and alumni at o biannual Alumni General Meetings at the DKFZ, including free Welcome Dinner and Social Activities; Travel grants for foreigners, e.g. DAAD o smaller groups in the context of large scientific meetings e.g. AACR o International get-togethers in cities like Boston, San Francisco, Zürich, Copenhagen or London o regional Alumni Club Heidelberg events, where current topics in cancer research are introduced by DKFZ scientists, followed by lively discussions o trips to introduce current cultural and economic topics relevant to living and working in Germany Career Development o take part and/or receive information on quarterly DKFZ career days ( o advertise your job vacancies o support younger researchers in developing their scientific careers o find out about careers of other Alumni in our LinkedIn group ( For further information about the Alumni Association, please visit or the administrative coordinator of the Association, Elfriede Mang at alumni@dkfz.de. There are no formal membership fees, but your tax-deductible financial support for our activities and your benefits is always needed and most welcome. To join the Alumni Association, please complete the online form under the following link: I look forward to welcoming you as a member of the DKFZ Alumni Association! Prof. Dr. Manfred Schwab Chairman of the DKFZ Alumni Association December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 6

10 Academic Careers in Germany Interview with Dr. Barbara Janssens, DKFZ Career Service Felix Geist: Hello Barbara! You set up the Career Service for PhD students and PostDocs at the DKFZ. Could you try to explain the German academic system to us? Dr. Barbara Janssens: Of course, but I have to say Germany is a bit complicated as only part are regulated by the federal ministry of education (BMBF) and there are some differences between the 16 federal states of Germany and their respective universities. In a nutshell, the German academic research system is based on two main pillars: higher education institutions (around 110 universities and 220 universities of applied sciences or Fachhochschulen / Hochschulen für angewandte Wissenschaften), and four non-university research organisations (Helmholtz Association, Max Planck Society, Leibniz Association and Fraunhofer Society). or two postdoctoral positions (2-4 years) before moving to a position of Group Leader (or junior professor) where the researcher is fully independent, last author on publications and obtains funding for research. Group Leader positions are competitive (generally 10% of applicants succeed), usually require research experience abroad and will typically be financed for 5 years. After evaluation sometimes 2 further years are granted, or the Group Leader moves on to a fully tenured (i.e. permanent) Professorship. FG: What kind of funding possibilities are there for young researchers who want to start their own group? BJ: Next to internal funding of junior groups at universities with a tenure track system and institutes like the Helmholtz Association and Max Planck FG: Doesn t it get complicated when you consider different academic positions in each of these different institutions? BJ: It s not as complicated as it seems at first glance. The classical university path is quite generic and only differs slightly between institutions. After a PhD, researchers will usually have one institutes, there are several additional funding programs for young researchers such as the Emmy-Noether programme, the Kovalevskaja award, the Heisenberg program and the European Research Council (ERC) to name just the main ones. When you leave Germany there are other options, like the Marie Skłodowska-Curie actions (MSCA) P a g e 7 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

11 Academic Careers in Germany Some Possible Group Leader Positions Junior Professorship The junior professorship was introduced in 2002 by the Federal Ministry of Education (BMBF) in order to offer outstanding young scientists the opportunity to teach and conduct research at university without a habilitation. They are now funded exclusively by the federal states and universities: In Baden- Württemberg, there are few of these Junior Professorships but for example in Bavaria these are quite common. There is a council for Junior Professors, who lobby for better perspectives. They claim that by the end of a junior professorship only 20% become tenure track and another 15% have a follow-up position without tenure track. Emmy-Noether The Emmy-Noether program for young researchers leading an independent junior research group is financed by the DFG, the largest independent research funding organisation in Germany. S. Kovalevskaja Award The Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) offers the Kovalevskaja Award which allows researchers to spend five years building a working group at a German research institution of recipients own choice. It currently requires at least 10 years working experience outside Germany. University Tenure Track In Munich the TUM and LMU offer W2 tenure track to excellent young researchers, for example who have received ERC grants. At the Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) tenure track is offered in collaboration with the TUM in Munich, and is called the Mößbauer Fellows. Non-university research groups Funding for non-university research groups can be provided directly by the institutes or centrally announced. For example Helmholtz Junior Groups receive up to 250,000 per year for five years. Max Planck research groups are also funded for 5 years. Heisenberg-Programme The Heisenberg-Programme is financed by the DFG and aims to promote and maintain young outstanding and highly qualified researchers to give them incentives to continue their careers in science and research. Outstanding researchers, who have fulfilled all requirements to receive tenured professorship, are able to apply for a Heisenberg Scholarship, in order to prepare for a leading researcher position. European Research Council (ERC) The ERC Starting Grants support researchers of any nationality with 2-7 years of experience after completion of their PhD and a scientific track record showing great promise (requiring at least one publication without the PhD supervisor). Grantees can receive up to 1.5 million for up to 5 years. December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 8

12 Academic Careers in Germany FG: What happens after this group leader position? Are there different kinds of Professorships? BJ: The German system basically offers W1 (i.e. assistant), W2 (associate) and W3 (full) Professorships. A W2 or W3 Professor is appointed by a University, or jointly appointed with a non-university research institute (then sometimes called Extraordinary Professorship). A Humboldt Professorship is an award of 5 million EUR by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) to finance candidates coming from abroad for the first five years of a W3 professorship. An endowed Professorship (Stiftungsprofessur) is financed with private equity, donated to a researcher or Research Institute. Often the financial donation covers 5 years, after which the Research Institute agrees to continue financing. Famous ones are for example the Lichtenberg Professorships or, recently at the DKFZ one Professorship was financed by Eventim. FG: Is it different for Professorships at Fachhochschulen? BJ: Yes indeed, these professorships are slightly different in some aspects. For instance the teaching commitment is higher, but over last few years is being reduced. For teaching German language is often required, but nowadays the first years can be in From The procedure for the appointment of Professors (Berufungsverfahren) is the same at all German universities. [ ] According to the provisions of the Federate State laws, at least nine individuals must participate in the procedure. A "sufficient number" of opinions are collected from experts who do not have a personal relationship with the candidates and who have an established academic reputation in the academic community. These experts are asked to provide comparative evaluations of all the candidates. According to the normal appointment procedure, the appointment committee sends a ranked list to the university senate, which is free to modify the list before it is submitted to the ministry*. The ministries cannot easily justify ignoring the lists but they are free to appoint one of the three candidates. It happens that the ministry disregards suggestions emanating from the faculties. An important feature of German Academia is that with the exception of Junior Professors, habilitated academics usually cannot obtain a W3 professorship at their own university. This is specified in the Higher Education Act (HRG) and is called internal promotion prohibition. * note that this might change in near future. P a g e 9 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

13 Academic Careers in Germany From The official Habilitation process in the relevant faculty can be made conditional upon the submission of a thesis or a series of academic publications. Depending on the faculty a number of hours of teaching ( Semesterwochenstunden ) have to be shown. A teaching credential is then issued which grants the holder permission to instruct at a German university, to bear the title "Privatdozent" and to supervise doctoral candidates. It can be issued for the subject that is to be taught by the university's executive body upon request by the person undergoing the Habilitation process. The Habilitation process is governed by a faculty or a joint commission according to the rules and regulations of the so-called Habilitationsordnung. In this process, all professors in a faculty have the right of collaboration and approval. Preconditions are regulated by the statutes of the local state Hochschulgesetz currently in effect. The latest editions of the Habilitationsordnung are available from the dean of each faculty. English. Research is encouraged but third-party financing is usually harder to get. To give you some numbers, I found statistics from 2012 (Statistisches Bundesamt) that the cost for a Professorship at a Fachhochschule is on average 172k Euro compared to 580k Euro for Universities. The formal requirements for W2/W3 Professorships at universities of applied sciences are having a PhD and at least 5 years of non-university experience. In some cases, this can be industry experience, but sometimes also research at a more applied nonuniversity research institute. Thus in principle one can qualify for these Professorships relatively soon after graduation, provided some applied experience. FG: That is really interesting, thank you! You mentioned habilitation a few times do I need this to become Professor or is that a myth? BJ: Indeed, it s good to inform yourself about what it means before embarking on this journey. There is no obligation to do the Habilitation for an academic career, but many scientists still choose to take this highest academic degree after their doctorate. Formally Habilitation determines whether a person is sufficiently suited as a scholar and a teacher to be a university Professor in a specific field. Historically Habilitation was required for the Berufung to become a university Professor, but since 2002 selection committees have the right to appoint professorships without Habilitation, if they consider the candidate has equal teaching, publication and third party funding credentials. Still Habilitation was not abolished and about 10% of doctoral holders in Germany still obtain the Habilitation. Although there are exceptions, usually one cannot be recruited as a Full Professor at the university where you did the Habilitation, and also in Heidelberg there are faculty-specific regulations for Habilitation. For example for the Faculty of Medicine you will need formal training in didactics (Hochschuldidaktische Kurse or Dozentenschulung). FG: Are there any options other than the classical career path from PhD via PostDoc and Group Leader to Professor? December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 10

14 Academic Careers in Germany BJ: There are other options in Academia! The most common positions are in core facilities (microscopy, technology transfer, sequencing, clinical trials etc.) and science administration or management. Within research groups and/or cooperative research networks, researchers can become lab manager, grant manager, project coordinator or even deputy head. In Germany it is very rare but not impossible to work as a dependent researcher. In exceptional cases scientists can obtain a position if they are responsible for permanent long-term tasks. A position is considered scientific if at least 50% of the tasks are scientific. There is a so called 12-year rule which limits the total number of years a scientist can be employed with fixed-term contracts. FG: Thank you so much for the interview Barbara. Could you give us some internet sources with info about the academic career track? BJ: Here is where I found useful information about different pieces of the academic career puzzle : research-in-germany.org Interview conducted by Felix Geist (DKFZ). To receive an electronic copy: careerday@dkfz.de P a g e 11 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

15 DKFZ Advanced Training and information options PhD students and Postdocs at the DKFZ can choose from many advanced training and information options. Please check the HCM Portal or in the Advanced Training book 2016 for a list of all trainings. For further information, please sign up with the DKFZ Postdoc Network (PDN) all-postdocs@dkfz.de or contact c.cziepluch@dkfz.de. Grant Writing a hands-on training, Jan 2016 Trainers: Julia D. Staykova, PhD, Scriptorium Founder and Director. Susan Kentner, PhD, DKFZ department Administrative Project Management (APM). This 2-day workshop encompasses four major sections. Postdocs will provide feedback on each other s grant proposals and practice their writing skills. an introductory session about European and other funding possibilities, specifically tailored by and for DKFZ scientists a high profile reviewer will provide the reviewers perspective a professional writer will train how to structure a grant section including project aims, research background, and innovation and significance, and will highlight the importance of a strong summary, and the use of short and convincing language. If you are working on a grant application, you can initiate registration/selection via the HCM- Portal (Look for AA Workshops with selection). Participants will be selected based on information to be provided by you at the time of registration. Postdoc Perspectives New Short (1h max.) and interactive information seminars deal with several topics of interest to postdocs. Topics range from the dkfz postdoc qualification program, grant possibilities to habilitation and 12-year rule. These seminars are organized by DKFZ Advanced Training and Career Service. Some upcoming seminars: Focus on grants 10 Dec 2015, 1pm Speaker: Dr. Susan Kentner, DKFZ department Administrative Project Management (APM) Writing grant applications and getting funded is an important success factor in Academia. In this interactive information seminar, Dr. Susan Kentner (DKFZ, APM) will give an overview on funding agencies, opportunities for postdocs, and the big points to consider when writing a grant application. Focus on Good Scientific Practice (GSP), 17 Feb 2016, 4pm Speaker: Prof. Stefan Eichmüller, DKFZ Get informed about the do s and don ts in science and discuss the grey zones. In this interactive seminar, Prof. Stefan Eichmüller will give an overview on the state of the art in Good Scientific Practice and discuss questions around this important topic. Please note: This seminar is obligatory for participants in the Postdoc Qualification Program. Focus on Postdoc Qualification Program, 17 Feb 2016, 5pm Speaker: Dr. Celina Cziepluch Information will be given and questions will be answered with respect to the Postdoc Qualification Program. December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 12

16 Online Resources You want to inform yourself about how to develop your career? Here are some online resources you might find useful: Naturejobs is the world s leading dedicated science jobs board. The Naturejobs blog aims to be the leading online resource for scientists in Academia and industry who seek guidance in developing their careers. The blog delivers a mix of expert advice and personal stories to help readers review, set and achieve their career goals. Science Careers offers a wide variety of content designed to assist scientists of all disciplines, backgrounds and experience levels navigate their career path. This includes thousands of job listings that are updated daily, thousands of career advice articles written by the Science Careers editorial staff, graduate program information, meetings and event information, and a Career Forum where scientists can join a community of experts and peers engaging in real time discussions around career issues. Bioscience Careers is a Blog by Sarah Blackford, an academic careers specialist with particular interest in supporting researchers. She publishes much of her ongoing advice, services and resources on this blog. Coursera is an education platform that partners with top universities and organizations worldwide, to offer courses online for anyone to take. It provides universal access to the world s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online. Founded by Harvard University and MIT in 2012, edx is an online learning destination and MOOC provider, offering high-quality courses from the world s best universities and institutions to learners everywhere. You have put a lot of time and effort into pursuing your PhD degree. Now it's time to focus on how to leverage your expertise into a satisfying and productive career. An individual development plan (IDP) helps you explore career possibilities and set goals to follow the career path that fits you best. P a g e 13 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

17 Stefan Gröschel Winner of the 2015 ERC Starting Grant Dr. Stefan Gröschel from the Department of Translational Oncology (Prof. Dr. Christof von Kalle) at the NCT is the only winner from the DKFZ of the ERC Starting Grant funding period He was so kind to share his experience about this highly prestigious grant. The ERC Starting grant selection process consists of two parts. Having passed the first step, in which your written proposal is reviewed, you will get invited to the ERC agency in Brussels. The entire review and interview process comes across highly organized and professional. The interview part is crucial. About 40% of all invited candidates will get funding in the end, so ~10% in total. Overall, I got a thorough feedback from 5 international reviewers. Before you apply, you should try to find out which ERC evaluation panel is the most appropriate for your proposal. It is absolutely necessary to prepare well for the interview. Depending on your panel, you will give a 10 min presentation (and no longer..), followed by 15 min of discussion, in which the panel members definitely will get to the bottom of your plans and reveal the weak parts of your proposal. It helps to try anticipating the most obvious questions aiming at the weaker parts of your application. It was also a good recommendation to again review the current and your cited literature. As suggested by most of the former applicants and ERC experts that I talked to, a good preparation for the interview and practicing your talk with colleagues and friends a number of times can make the difference. I took the preparatory courses offered by the "Kooperationsstelle EU der Wissenschaftsorganisationen (KoWi) and the Helmholtz Society. I do recommend attending either one of them. How much effort did you invest in writing the grant application? In retrospect, it is advisable to start writing early, obviously. I began from scratch after completing my post-doc and in the middle of moving countries and changing jobs. I would not do it again. Take a day off grantwriting and avoid to think of grant-writing. That is when I probably got the best ideas. Even if you do not begin with the actual writing process, you can sort out a lot of things well beforehand as long as you know the title or the rough scope of your grant proposal, e.g. try to familiarize yourself with the specific requirements of the program you re applying to, collect support letters from collaborators and mentors, certificates, quotes from companies, etc. It can get stressful trying to take care of this with a deadline approaching. Did you get support from your team or cooperation partners? Yes, I had two or three people who I felt read the proposal quite thoroughly and who provided valuable judgment, particularly with regards to plausibility and how easy it reads for non-experts. I think that it is quite important to have someone not involved with your particular type of research read your proposal. What made your approach special and thus successful in your eyes? At the ERC I think the focus is highrisk/high-gain, so they encourage out-ofthe-box thinking, as long as you can still convince that you can conclude most of your goals. Elsewhere, I felt it was more important to give a detailed explanation of the feasibility of your experiments and the most likely results, which then favors nearfinished projects. How many grants have you applied to before and were they successful? I have applied to three smaller grants before, they were successful. A bigger grant proposal to the DFG failed in the interview stage, although you could say it was rather similar to the ERC proposal. Having 5 international experts review your proposal plus the composition of the interview panel was quite impressive, and I guess that is where the ERC is differs from most of the other funding agencies. Where did you learn to write grants? Writing papers and reading other people's proposals helps, however, I never attended a course successful grant-writing. December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 14

18 Speakers Profile Dr. Michael Boutros Scientific director of the DKFZ DKFZ Welcome Session SCIENTIFIC VITA Studies in Biology, RWTH Aachen Studies in Biochemistry, University Witten/Herdecke Fulbright Exchange Program, SUNY Stony Brook, USA Diploma thesis research, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, USA PhD., European Molecular Biology Laboratory, Heidelberg MPA., Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University, USA Postdoctoral research, Harvard Medical School, USA Independent Group leader (tenure-track), DKFZ Head of Division, DKFZ 2015: Acting scientific director of the DKFZ AWARDS Fellowship of the Studienstiftung des dt. Volkes Fulbright Fellowship Predoctoral Fellowship of the Boehringer Ingelheim Fonds McCloy Fellowship, Studienstiftung des dt. Volkes 2000 Ph.D. Prize of the Heidelberg Gesellschaft für Molekularbiologie 2000 Elisabeth Gateff Ph.D. Prize of the German Society for Genetics 2003 Member of the Junge Akademie of the Berlin-Brandenburgische Akademie der Wissenschaften and the Leopoldina 2005 EMBO Young Investigator Program 2006 GO-Bio prize from the German Ministry of Education and Research 2007 Johann-Georg Zimmermann Prize for Cancer Research P a g e 15 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

19 Speakers Profile Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Kräusslich Full Professor, Head, Director, Dean Heidelberg Medical Faculty, BioQuant, Cell Networks, etc Welcome Session Main Message: Your possibilities in Academia Abstract Prof. Dr. Hans-Georg Kräusslich is head of department of virology at Heidelberg University since 2000 and Director of the Department of Infectious Diseases since After his MD in experimental virology (Munich 1985) he did a postdoc at Stony Brook (New York) and then joined the DKFZ as a group leader in He obtained his Habilitation in 1990, declined offers for full professorships in Münster (1993) and Ulm (1994) before accepting a professorship at the Heinrich-Pette-Institute in Hamburg (1995). In 2000 he came back to Heidelberg as Full Professor and Head of Department of Virology. He is cofounder of BioQuant, Director of Cell Networks, Dean of Research for the Medical Faculty and has directed two collaborative research centers (SFB). He will head the Center for Integrative Infectious Disease Research (CIID) which is currently being built in the Neuenheimer Feld. Public profile: Contact via: December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 16

20 Speakers Profile Dr. Georg Stöcklin Junior Group Leader DKFZ & ZMBH Welcome Session: Insight into the professorship appointment process Main Message: "Life is a journey, not a destination" (attributed to Ralph Waldo Emerson) Abstract After almost 10 years as a junior group leader, I recently accepted a Professorship at the Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University. In my presentation, I will speak about the turning points in my academic career, reflect on the way I made critical decisions, and discuss the relationship between "life", "science" and "career". Brief history of career path Medical School, University of Basel, Switzerland Ph.D. thesis with Christoph Moroni, Institute for Medical Microbiology, MD/PhD Program, University of Basel, Switzerland Postdoc with Christoph Moroni, Institute of Medical Microbiology, Switzerland Postdoc with Paul Anderson, Brigham and Women s Hospital, Boston, USA Instructor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA Junior Group Leader, DKFZ 2013 present Junior Group Leader, DKFZ and ZMBH Appointed Professor for Biochemistry, Medical Faculty Mannheim of Heidelberg University What was the biggest hurdle to obtain a professorship position? It is a game with many variables, many of which are not in your hands. Which are the most critical factors when choosing a PostDoc, if your aim is a position such as a Professor? Define your research interest, choose a very good lab, make sure your PI is supportive, widen your skills (model organisms, bioinformatics, etc.), develop a unique scientific profile, become an active member of the scientific community in your field Is there something you would do different (concerning your career path) if you could do it again? I would recommend not to think about this question, rather look forward! Contact via: , ResearchGate; Phone: or P a g e 17 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

21 Speakers Profile Dr. Jörg Hoheisel Head of Division DKFZ Session I: Between PhD and Professor Classical Career Paths Main Message: - Be flexible and try to achieve as much occupational satisfaction as possible rather than to insist on pursuing only one of several possible career options. - While constant comparison of oneself to others is counterproductive and should be avoided, evaluate your own capabilities fairly and realistically and not biased by your dreams and adapt your plans accordingly. - Once you have made up your mind about what you would like to do, do not wait for it to happen, but pursue it actively. The more engagement you put in, the better are the chances of actually getting there. Abstract A career toward a professorship or PI position cannot be planned long-term, since there are too many aspects involved, which come about at relatively short notice and are frequently beyond one s control. Also, one should really consider whether pursuing a professorship is the best possible career path in the first place. Always look at and consider the options available. They much depend on personal preferences, such as flexibility about location, income expectancy, willingness to take the risk of failure, actual ability to work independently, and the willingness of being responsible. A mostly uncontrollable factor is the availability of appropriate position(s) or job(s), for example. Brief history of career path While my CV may look like a direct path to my current group leader position studies in Konstanz > postdoc in London > PI in Heidelberg it was not, as I will briefly show in my talk Studies at the University of Konstanz, faculty of biology Diploma in biology; title of the diploma thesis: "Z-DNA in Plasmids" Thesis work at the Department of Physical Biochemistry on the "Analysis of Different, Topologically Induced DNA Structures" 1988 Receipt of Ph.D. (University of Konstanz; grade: summa cum laude) Postdoc as an EMBO-fellow at the Imperial Cancer Research Fund (ICRF), London, United Kingdom Research Scientist at ICRF Head of Group (Molecular-Genetic Genome Analysis) at DKFZ. since 1998 Head of Division (Functional Genome Analysis) at DKFZ. December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 18

22 Speakers Profile What was the biggest hurdle to get to the position which you are holding Luckily, there never was a real hurdle. Instead, there were always different options. Thus, the main hurdle was for me to decide, which way to proceed. What skills have been really important for you to get to this position? Enjoying science, therefore being able to deal with frustration. Being good at science and able to pursue my scientific interests independently early on. Picking positions on the basis of my personal interests. In your opinion, how important is getting a PostDoc abroad? There is no absolute need to go abroad. However, seeing how science is done elsewhere and learning about a different perspective on many things in science and beyond is very helpful indeed. I very much recommend spending some time (> 1 year) abroad. Contact via: , Linkedin or talk to me P a g e 19 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

23 Speakers Profile Prof. Dr. Petra Kioschis-Schneider Professor of Molecular Biology, Dean of Graduate Studies Hochschule Mannheim University of Applied Sciences Session I: Between PhD and Professor Classical Career Paths Main Message: To provide an overview of requirements for obtaining a professorship at a University of Applied Scienes and insights into the job role. Abstract When scientists think about their career path in Academy they are usually not aware of the possibilities at the University of Applied Sciences. What requirements does a person have to fulfill to get a position there? In this talk I will share my own experience and career path, which brought me to the Professorship at the University of Applied Sciences. Furthermore I will give insights into the different elements of the position that encompass teaching, research and service. I will discuss teaching loads as well as specific research funding opportunities. Brief history of career path : Study and Diploma degree of Biology at TU Kaiserslautern; : PhD student at DKFZ (Division Molecular Genome Analysis; Prof. Poustka); Graduation to Dr. rer. nat.; : Several, short research stays at Imperial Cancer Research Fund, London, Prof. Dr. Hans Lehrach; : Postdoc DKFZ / German Resource Center for Genome Research (RZPD) at DKFZ Heidelberg and MPI MG Berlin; : Senior research associate (permanent position) at DKFZ Heidelberg, in parallel lecturer at Mannheim University of Applied Sciences; since 2000: Professor of Molecular Biology at Mannheim University of Applied Sciences; Teaching focus: Molecular Biology, Molecular Medicine, Cell-based assay technologies; Research focus: Cell model and cellular assay development for human diseases; high resolution microscopic analysis (FRET/FLIM; 2-Photon-Microscopy); : Member of the Academic Senate, University of Applied Sciences Mannheim; since 2005: Member of several evaluation boards (eg. BMBF/ ProfUnt-Programm, MWK- BaWü; Österreichische Forschungsförderungsgesellschaft FFG / FHplus in COIN- Programm, Forschungsministerium Nordrhein-Westfalen; DFG-Großgeräte); : Course Leader, Bachelor of Science (BSc) Program Biotechnology; : Member of Research Council / Evaluation Board Forschungsbauten, Wissenschaftsrat WR; since 2009 lecturer for professional development in animal cell technology at LMU Munich; since 2010: External PhD reviewer of Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark; since 2010: Dean of Graduate Studies Master of Science (M.Sc.) Biotechnology, at Hochschule Mannheim and member of Faculty Directory December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 20

24 Speakers Profile What is your most important advice for scientists who consider their career at a University of Applied Sciences? The requirements are PhD- level and a minimum of five years professional (Postdoc) work experience in the respective field of which at least 3 years must have been at a nonuniversity research institution or industry (R&D) (including publications); teaching experience is of value; habilitation" (postdoctoral degree with lecturing qualification) is not a prerequisite but can be helpful; experience in university-industry cooperation is of value; interest in teaching (should not be treated as a necessary evil ). In your opinion, what is the biggest difference between University and University of Applied Sciences? University of Applied Sciences: smaller student classes and thus, direct and better contact; good cooperation with industry and research; higher teaching load!; less basic funding per student; no institutional right to confer doctoral degrees; less well-established researchinfrastructures. Why did you decide to choose the career path which you have taken? Career step from Postdoc to professorship; job autonomy and better contract conditions; personal interest in matching teaching and research activities; personal interest and high motivation to educate and support young students; Specific for Hochschule Mannheim: international (english) study programs; very good research cooperations with local research institutions and companies. Contact via: , ResearchGate P a g e 21 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

25 Speakers Profile Dr. Björn Tews Group Leader DKFZ Session I: Between PhD and Professor Classical Career Paths Main Message: Find your niche and develop resilience. Abstract The invasive nature of glioma cells mainly accounts for their resistance to current treatment modalities, as the diffusely infiltrating tumor cells, which evade surgical resection and survive treatment, inevitably give rise to reoccurring tumors. Mechanisms of glioma invasion in the brain are not comparable with general mechanisms of tumor invasion. Why did we choose to work on this question? Besides being of strong scientific and medical relevance this question also offers the possibility of establishing a scientific niche, allowing us to develop novel concepts off the beaten path. Brief history of career path I received my diploma in Biology from the Justus-Liebig-University in Giessen in 2002 where I did my diploma thesis in biochemistry in the lab of Prof. Alfred Pingoud. I then joined Prof. Peter Lichter s lab at the DKFZ for my PhD thesis where I identified tumor suppressor- and oncogenes in tumors of the central nervous system (2006). During my PhD thesis I received a scholarship from the Studienstiftung des Deutschen Volkes. After a postdoc at the DKFZ I moved to Prof. Martin Schwab s lab at the ETH Zürich, leading a neurobiochemistry subgroup until My research was focused on the role of myelin inhibitory proteins and their receptors in neuronal plasticity and regeneration. I hold a Master s degree in clinical trial management. Since 2012 I am heading the CHS Junior Research Group Molecular Mechanisms of Tumor Invasion at the DKFZ. In your opinion what was the most important step in your career? Switching between scientific fields to learn new concepts and methods after each career step (Diploma, PHD thesis, postdoc) was essential for me. I think that a constant input of new information prevents you from getting routine-blinded. It also enables you to look at problems from various angles. This helped me in defining my scientific self. Why did you decide to choose the career path you have taken? Passion for what I am doing and independence to follow my passion. For you as a group leader, what do you consider as major challenges? Securing funding to secure the future of your people as well as your own future. Contact via: , LinkedIn, ResearchGate, tewslab.com, dkfz.de/de/tumorzell-invasion/ December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 22

26 Speakers Profile Prof. Dr. Oliver Gruss Professor of Genetic at Heidelberg University University of Bonn Session I: Between PhD and Professor Classical Career Paths Main Message: I was very recently appointed Professor for Genetics at the University of Bonn. An outstanding publication record is certainly the ground for any scientific career. However without endurance, visibility in my research field and a good network e.g. within the German Society for Cell Biology and the international cell biology community, I would Abstract Not have reached my aim. As in the North-American system, science in Germany becomes increasingly career driven. I.e. to obtain a life-time position in science is competitive and statistically unlikely. Planning a successful scientific career is therefore of outstanding importance. Success in science is a combination of different factors. It certainly depends making the right scientific moves and asking the right questions, which is not always predictable. However, a successful scientific career also depends on a number of additional factors, which are more predictable than usually thought. Brief history of your career path After my PhD at the Zentrum für Molekulare Biologie der Universität Heidelberg, I moved to the laboratory of Iain Mattaj at EMBL. I started to work on nucleocytoplasmic transport and then found out quite soon afterwards that transport factors provide a molecular link between nuclear import in interphase and spindle formation in mitosis. This research was done using cell free extracts derived from Xenopus, which I am still using since then. The system is not only an excellent in vitro reconstitution tool for all basic cell biological processes. It also provided me with a unique label, which helped a lot to become visible in the cell biology community. Only a handful of laboratories in Germany are working with cell free lysates of Xenopus oocytes. After my postdoctoral studies, I returned to the ZMBH and first became a group leader and afterwards non-permanent professor of the faculty of biosciences. For the last 1.5 years in Heidelberg, I also took over the position as scientific coordinator of the excellence-funded graduate school HBIGS, which manages more than 350 PhD students in the life sciences at Heidelberg university. This allowed me to still do research beyond the deadline of my limited contract and to finish a number of publications in due time to become competitive for a professorship in Germany. In Nov. 2015, I was appointed as permanent professor for Genetics at the faculty of mathematics and natural sciences in Bonn. In your opinion what was the most challenging step in your career? To apply for permanent professorship outside Heidelberg while trying to stay in the race for a permanent position here at the same time. P a g e 23 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

27 Speakers Profile Why did you decide to choose the career path you have taken? I always wanted to do science and could not think of doing anything else. What would you recommend young PhDs or PostDocs if they want to pursue an academic career? Be open and flexible and believe in your own ideas. Contact via: , Xing, December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 24

28 Speakers Profile Prof Dr. Ivo Wolf Professor at the Mannheim University of Applied Sciences HS Mannheim Round Table DIscussion I: Between PhD and Professor Main Message: As a professor you should love your research - and to teach! Abstract I will talk about my experience with a professorship in computer science (more precisely: in medical image analysis) at a University of Applied Sciences (Hochschule für angewandte Wissenschaften (HAW), formerly Fachhochschule). How is life as a professor here? What are the prerequisites to become one? How easy is it to find a suitable position? How does the appointment procedure look like? How are the first years after becoming a professor? How easy is it to conduct research at a HAW (in computer science, with a glance at biotechnology and chemical engineering)? What are (dis)advantages? Brief history of career path I received my diploma degree in physics (Dipl-Phys.) and a PhD degree (Dr. sc. Hum, 2003) in medical computer science from the University of Heidelberg. I have been with the Division of Medical and Biological Informatics at the DKFZ and, since 2008, a Professor of medical image computing at the Mannheim University of Applied Sciences, Department of Computer Science. My research interests include algorithms for image registration and segmentation and their application in interactive software environments for diagnostic and intraoperative support of physicians. What were the biggest changes for your professorship at the HS Mannheim compared to your scientific work at the DKFZ? The biggest change was that the main focus of a University of Applied Sciences is teaching (nominally 18x45min/week). Why did you choose the HS Mannheim instead of university? The position did exactly fit my field of research (medical image analysis), it is part of a joint research institute (Institute for Medical Technology) with the University of Heidelberg, Medical Faculty Mannheim, and the DKFZ is close by. What was the biggest challenge for you becoming a professor? There are not many suitable positions available in medical image analysis. Contact via: , ResearchGate, Xing, P a g e 25 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

29 Speakers Profile Dr. Susan Kentner EU and international funding programs DKFZ Workshop: Grants in the EU Main Message: EU grant opportunities for post-doctoral scientists: EU research projects provide stimulating opportunities to collaborate with partners from all over the European Union and sometimes beyond and to see how science works in different countries and working contexts. EU grants can be competitive, but they are a great way to acquire new knowledge, learn new scientific methods, further your career or make new contacts and extend your professional networks. Brief history of career path Dr. Susan Kentner is now in the DKFZ department Administrative Project Management with special responsibility for advising scientists on EU and international funding programs. After 20 years experience in medical and scientific publishing, including stints with Springer- Verlag in Heidelberg, VCH-Wiley in Weinheim and 12 years as managing director of her own medical publishing company Palatium Verlag, she joined the Helmholtz Association in 2002 as the Scientific Officer for the Helmholtz research area Health in Brussels, and became head of the Helmholtz Brussels Office, where she worked until June Susan also has a record as a successful trainer in communication skills and has taught workshops and lectured on subjects relating to research management in health and life sciences, EU affairs and collaboration opportunities. What are the challenges in your job? Working with many different kinds of people is probably the most challenging, but also the most enjoyable part of my job. Why did you decide for an alternative career path in Academia instead of becoming a group leader? My jobs in scientific publishing and as a lobbyist in Brussels were not active choices on my part, but rather unexpected opportunities which I grasped with enthusiasm because they opened up new whole horizons for me, gave me the opportunity to do work that is useful to society and contributed to my own personal development. Do you have any special advice for young scientists who want to pursue a career in Academia? Keep an open mind, actively seek out new contacts and experiences, and don t settle on one path too soon. December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 26

30 Speakers Profile Dr. Barbara Jansen and Marion Gürth Career Service DKFZ Workshop: How to plan your scientific career beyond your PhD? In fact, one could put this the other way around and ask successful scientists in Academia how they planned their careers: Often they will say that their career just happened. But of course we all know some factors do play a role in career development. How can you make informed decisions at each career step? Where can you get information and make up your mind? Thereby active networking is a powerful tool. During this workshop you will have the chance to learn about how to network efficiently at various occasions and what talking to and getting connected with people, like e.g. professionals in your field, alumni etc. will bring to your personal career development. From P a g e 27 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

31 Speakers Profile Dr. Damjana Kastelic Freelance trainer and consultant Self employed Workshop: How to choose a lab for my post-doc Main Message: Know your career goals and align them with the postdoctoral choice. Abstract Do I really want to do a postdoc or is it that I just don t know what to do after my PhD? It s easy to lose sight of the bigger picture or also motivation in a maze of possibilities. Knowing your goals when choosing a laboratory, project and a supervisor is crucial and should not be like playing the lottery, since it will have a major impact on your career. Brief history of career path Damjana Kastelic obtained her PhD in 2009 jointly from the University of Paris XI and University of Ljubljana in biological sciences. During three years of postdoc in Cambridge, UK, she worked on the establishment of high-throughput antibody screening systems as part of an EC FP7 consortium. Afterwards, she decided to pursue an independent project in cancer research at DKFZ in Heidelberg, where she leads a project investigating the use of nanobodies (a special type of naturally occurring antibodies with unique properties) for diagnostic and therapeutic applications. She s passionate about teaching, and apart from lecturing at Heidelberg university she is running highly interactive workshops for students, scientist and lecturers as a freelance trainer and consultant. What skills have been really important for you to get to this position? During my scientific career I have worked in 6 different laboratories in 4 different countries and for me, every time the most important was a careful choice of mentors and supervisors who taught me how to do good science and give me freedom to pursue my own scientific projects where I could be the most creative and innovative. In your opinion, how important is getting a PostDoc abroad? A PhD gives you endless possibilities to work all over the world - a luxury that not so many professions can offer. International exchange and mobility should be a mandatory step for a training scientist, bringing priceless benefits on both professional and personal level. What do you like best about your position? What are the major challenges? Since I am working as a scientist, lecturer and running my own business it is often challenging to juggle with different priorities. Contact via: , LinkedIn December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 28

32 Speakers Profile Dr. Frieder Kern Vice Head of Technology Transfer Office and Senior Licensing Manager at DKFZ Session II: Academic Career Options Beyond Professorship Main Message: Technology Transfer Manager needs a solid science background, but in addition skills regarding intellectual property, law and spin-off companies. Further steps in career are possible: patent attorney or positions in a company in departments such as business development and in-licensing. Abstract Technology Transfer Professional with more than ten years advanced experience as vice head of the department managing all aspects of a Technology Transfer Office. In particular expertise in patenting and licensing and spin-off activities. Proven ability to combine strategy with management in the organisation. Strong record of increasing profitability improving licensing negotiation as well as enforcement of Intellectual Property. Brief history of career path Biologist with a doctorate in chemistry (both at University of Erlangen, Department of Chemistry) and further postdoc at Universities of Würzburg and Bayreuth. With Feodor Lynen scholarship of the Alexander von Humboldt-Stiftung postdoctoral research at the Cornell University, Ithaca, NY, USA, at Professor Dr. Jerrold Meinwald laboratories in the Department of Chemistry. Certificate of Post-Graduate BioBusiness received from University of Heidelberg 1998 with the main topics: Financial Accounting, Accounting System, Marketing, Project Management, Patent and Trademark Law, GMP, QM, Drug Safety, Regulatory Affairs, Start-up Companies, Financing, Business Plan. Member of the Pharma Licensing Club Deutschland (PLCD). Registered Technology Transfer Professional (RTTP) since Since February 1999 Vice Head of the Office of Technology Transfer at DKFZ and since 2013 Senior Licensing Manager with these main tasks: Patenting and Licensing / Marketing and Business Development / Exhibition and Partnering at international trade fairs / Spin-off companies / IP Seminars for researchers at DKFZ, but also as speaker abroad. Why did you decide to choose the career path which you have taken? Basic research is interesting. However, it is better to explore and identify in addition the application for the research results. Since exploitation of new finding is the main idea of technology transfer it was most fascinating for my career. P a g e 29 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

33 Speakers Profile What do you like best about your position? What are the major challenges? Every day is different and also each project. The hurdles are everywhere (involved persons; patents; licensee; infringement; etc.) and your challenge is to find the best solution for each individual case. There is a simple measurement of your success: Is your product launched or does your spin-off reach the exit? How important do you think is it to get additional education and qualifications for an academic career like yours? Additional education (i.e. intellectual property and law) is absolutely necessary as well as soft skills like communication. Contact via: , LinkedIn ( Xing ( Why is technology transfer important for your Academic career? As the term technology transfer indicates, the aim is to facilitate further development via licenses of material or intellectual property (patents, copy rights) from an academic institute to industry for the mutual benefit of both parties. In almost any case, this transfer process presupposes that your ideas have been protected for instance by patenting. Fact-Box Patents: Patents are granted for any invention that: Is New (has not been disclosed by publication, poster, talk, conference abstract ) Is Non-Obvious (e.g. entailing more than just a combination of existing knowledge) Solves a technical problem In addition by patenting your inventions or participation in industry sponsored research, you show that you are aware of problems arising during the transfer process of your research findings into products or services on the market. That s why, being inventor on a patent can be as important as publications during an application process, especially when you apply for a job at institutes focusing on applied research, but also in industry. The department of Technology Transfer at DKFZ also assists you with invention disclosures, license agreements, confidentiality disclosure agreements (CDA), industrial cooperation agreements, material transfer agreements (MTA), technology marketing and spin-off companies. Contact: Stabsstelle Technologietransfer Tel: , Fax: December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 30

34 Speakers Profile Dr. Anke Busch Bioinformatician Institute of Molecular Biology Mainz (IMB Mainz) Session II: Academic Career Options Beyond Professorship Main Message: Pick up skills wherever you can. Work focused, but don't forget to live. Abstract For my current work at a bioinformatics core facility I need many different skills starting from understanding biological concepts over writing scripts for data analysis to applying statistics on the data. I started learning structured thinking and mathematical concepts as an undergraduate student and improved them developing algorithms as a PhD student in bioinformatics. Being an embedded bioinformatician in a molecular genetics lab as a postdoc, I learnt how to communicate efficiently with wet lab scientists and focused on data analysis rather than tool development. The summary of those steps brought me to where I am today. Brief history of career path After graduating from university as a (economical) mathematician, I slightly changed my career path and started a PhD in bioinformatics in the group of Prof. Dr. Rolf Backofen at the Albert-Ludwigs-University in Freiburg. Being trained in structured thinking and applied math was an excellent starting point for my work as an algorithm developing bioinformatician. After graduating with a PhD, I went to Leipzig for a one-year postdoc in the bioinformatics group of Prof. Dr. Peter Stadler. I used this year as a transition phase in two ways; first I learnt many new scripting skills and ways to analyze data and second I took the time to apply for a DAAD postdoc fellowship. Being awarded the fellowship, I moved to California for my second postdoc. At the University of California, Irvine, I again slightly changed my path from being an algorithm developer to being an embedded bioinformatician in the molecular genetics lab of Dr. Klemens Hertel and being mainly focused on data analysis and applying tools. After 3.5 years I returned to Germany and started my current position at the Bioinformatics Core Facility at the IMB in Mainz mostly analyzing NGS data supporting wet lab scientists. What do you think are the challenges as a Bioinformatician in Academia in comparison to wet lab scientists? One big challenge probably every bioinformatician faces is the communication with wet lab scientists. Not only understanding what lab scientists ask for or are interested in, but also making oneself understood can be challenging. Frequently, bioinformaticians and lab scientists speak different languages. Furthermore just as much as lab scientists, bioinformaticians have to keep up with the latest developments and research in their field (e.g. new methods to analyze a certain type of P a g e 31 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

35 Speakers Profile data). But in addition, bioinformaticians also have to keep up with new wet lab techniques (e.g. sequencing methods or protocols) in order to be able to understand and properly interpret the data they get and are working with. In your opinion, how important is getting a PostDoc abroad? To me a postdoc abroad is/was a very big and fundamental step on both; my career path as well as my personal path in life. I not only learnt how to work in a new environment and how to speak English all day long, but more importantly, I broadened my horizon on a personal level. Learning to live in a foreign country and finding my way around, meeting new people with different stories helped me first of all to grow personally and second to become fluent and comfortable speaking a foreign language. Why did you decide to choose the career path which you have taken? I always liked logical thinking and math. Thus, I started studying math at the university. All subsequent steps were not really planned. These were opportunities that came along and that I took up, following my basic interest in research and logical as well as analytical thinking. The decision to work at a core facility is mainly based on the fact that I very much enjoy and always enjoyed research in an academic environment, but I never liked worrying about money and temporary contracts you usually have as a postdoc, PI or group leader in Academia. Since also working in industry was not an attractive option for me, I looked for something more permanent in an academic environment. Contact via: , LinkedIn, ResearchGate December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 32

36 Speakers Profile Dr. Malte Paulsen Manager of the Flow Cytometry Core Facility EMBL Heidelberg Session II: Academic Career Options Beyond Professorship Main Message: Careers in core facilities are a fulfilling and versatile alternative to the classic job path in Academia or industry. Core facilities become evermore important for high pace science and thus the job opportunities at different levels within the job profiles are plenty and increasing. Abstract Core Facilities are a great career path for scientists with a profound interest in technology and the skills to deliver services to fellow researchers. The expectations of facility leads are similar to regular PIs, but the focus of success is based on performance and usability of the unit. Facility operation is quite different according to the country though the common goal is always quality and perfection. Facilities have been a niche for pro-technology postdocs in the past, but the ever-increasing pressure on research efficiency and speed gave rise to a broad community of facilities around the globe with a clear career path and ample of opportunities. Brief history of career path My scientific career took off when I did my PhD with Christof Niehrs at the DKFZ from 2006 to During my PhD, I had the great chance to learn Flow Cytometry with wonderful help from the DKFZ FACS core facility. Although my project involved flow to a very limited extent, Steffen Schmitt and Klaus Hexel were so kind to share their knowledge with me. While finishing my PhD, I got the chance to start a small high-end FACS core facility at the newly founded Boehringer-Ingelheim Foundation Instutute (IMB) in Mainz and to learn the business of heading a core facility from the core facility Director Bernhard Korn. Summer 2013 saw my change to the department of Medicine at the prestigious Imperial College in London. This was a great opportunity to learn how differently core facilities operate in the Anglo-Saxon hemisphere. Since summer this year, I ve returned to Heidelberg taking over the Flow Cytometry facility at the EMBL. What is your one tip for scientists who might be considering a move to this sector? You need to enjoy working with very different types of users and you need to be precise in your work. Reliability is the key to success. For the rest: have fun! P a g e 33 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

37 Speakers Profile Why did you decide for an alternative career path in Academia instead of becoming a group leader? I liked the technical aspect of science and enjoyed helping colleagues with my skills. It is just much more fun in the end. The postdoc/pi career path did not excite me. I gave this option a serious thought and then searched for an entrance into the core. What are the differences that you observed between the German and English academic system? The English academic system allows for more midlevel positions, such as lecturer or reader. The chairs of units are full Professors, but a very good postdoc can become a tenured lecturer/reader without going through the tedious election process for professors. For core facilities, the biggest difference is that they are in most places real businesses that have to operate under full economic costing conditions. This of course results in much more competition and requires very prominent management skills. Contact via: , LinkedIn December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 34

38 Speakers Profile Prof. Dr. Rienk Offringa Head of the Div. of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Cancers DKFZ, NCT Round Table Discussions II: Keys to successful careers in Academia Brief history of career path Current position (2011 present): K.H.Bauer-endowed professor Head Div. of Molecular Oncology of Gastrointestinal Cancers, DKFZ Head of the Div. of Pancreas Carcinoma Research, European Pancreas Center, Dept. of Surgery, Heidelberg University Hospital Head DKFZ-Bayer Joint Immunotherapeutics Development Lab, National Center for Tumor diseases (NCT), Heidelberg Research focus: pancreatic cancer, immunotherapy, drug development, biomarkers. Past positions: ( ): Principal Scientist, Immunology Discovery, Genentech Inc., South San Francisco, USA : Head Tumor Immunology Group, Dept. of Immunohematology & Blood transfusion, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. Contact via: , P a g e 35 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

39 Speakers Profile Prof. Dr. Rocio Sotillo Head of Division DKFZ Session III: Keys to successful careers in Academia Main Message: Personal view of a scientific career. What is important to focus on? Brief history of career path I received my BSc in Pharmacy from the San Pablo-CEU University and my PhD from the Autónoma University in Madrid (Drs. Mariano Barbacid and Marcos Malumbres at the Spanish National Cancer Center, CNIO). In 2003 I joined the laboratory of Robert Benezra at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center where I investigated the mechanism of tumor formation as a result of overexpression of mitotic checkpoint proteins. This work resulted in 4 first author publications in Cancer Cell, PNAS, Nature and Nature Reviews in Cancer. During my studies I obtained funding from the Spanish Association for Cancer Research, Spanish Ministry of Health, and the Caja Madrid, Charles Revson and Thomas G. Labrecque Foundation. In 2008 I received the MSKCC Research Fellow Award. I joined the EMBL in Monterotondo in 2010 as a Staff Scientist. In 2012 I received an ERC Starting Grant, an HHMI International Early Career Scientist award, a Marie Curie re-integration grant and a research grant form the Italian Association for Cancer Research. In 2015 I joined DKFZ as W3 Professor and Head of Division Molecular Thoracic Oncology. What are the challenges in your job? Managing people! You don t get trained for this. You can be very passionate about doing certain experiments but you need to motivate the people to perform them. What skills have been really important for you to get to this position? I don t think I have a particular set of skills that gave me this job. But I am persistent and I do not give up easily. If a really want something I go for it full power. Which are the most critical factors when choosing a PostDoc, if your aim is a position such as a Professor? The atmosphere in the lab is very important. Be surrounded by intelligent people from whom you can learn. Choose a lab where you can develop your independence. Contact via: , LinkedIn, ResearchGate December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 36

40 Speakers Profile Dr. Violaine Rosenstiel-Goidts Head of a DKFZ Junior Research Group DKFZ v.goidts@dkfz.de Session III: Keys to successful careers in Academia Main Message: Have a clear plan of what you want to do in academia. Find the tools and get in touch with people who will help you to reach your goal. Be organized. Abstract Determined to pursue a career in Academia since my diploma thesis time in Boston, I joined the DKFZ in I am a DKFZ Junior Research Group Leader since September 2015 and also the mum of two children who are now 4 and 7 years old. Brief history of career path In 2003 I finished my studies in Biology at the University of Namur (Belgium). During that time, I had the chance to study at the University of Uppsala (Sweden) thanks to an Erasmus exchange. This experience motivated me to do my diploma thesis abroad and I joined the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston (USA) for 6 months. I got the opportunity to start a PhD at the University of Ulm in the Department of Human Genetics (Prof. Dr. Hameister). In 2006, I received a postdoc position from the DKFZ and joined the Division of Molecular Genetics headed by Prof. Dr. Peter Lichter, in the group of Dr. Bernhard Radlwimmer. In 2007, I received a Young Investigator Award from the Medical Faculty of Heidelberg, allowing me to develop a certain level of independency. In 2008 I gave birth to my first child. In 2010, Peter Lichter gave me the chance to develop my own group within his Division. I acquired funding for my research and my group. In 2011, I got my second child. Since this Summer I have my own DKFZ Junior Research Group. What was your biggest challenge in combining an academic career with To not forget yourself. As parent aiming for a career, I realized that a perfect organisation is the key to success. However, one should not forget to include time for yourself in the tight planning of the day. You have to learn to do a split between family and career, which is rather challenging, especially in a society that does not always support your choices. What skills have been really important for you to get to this position? Determination and commitment to this type of career. Self-confidence. Focus and organisation. Ability to cope with failures, disappointment and stressing situations and still enjoying science. Why did you decide to choose the career path which you have taken? During my master thesis, I had the opportunity to work with excellent researchers who gave me the passion for research. Since then, I knew I wanted to do a career in Academia. Contact via: , ResearchGate, Xing ( P a g e 37 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

41 Speakers Profile Prof. Mathias Hafner Head of Institute, Dean University of Applied Sciences Mannheim Session III: Keys to successful careers in Academia Brief CV , Chemistry at Heidelberg University , Biology at Heidelberg University , PhD project at Marine Biological Laboratory (MBL) Woods Hole, USA and Dept. of Cell Biology, DKFZ (Dir. W. W. Franke) 1987 Promotion Dr. rer. nat. (scl) , Post-doc Hopkins Marine Station (Prof. Dan Mazia), Stanfort; Group Leader, Dept. of Molecular Pharmacology, Knoll-BASF AG, Ludwigshafen since 1993 Professor of Molecular Cell Biology, Faculty of Biotechnology, University of Applied Sciences Mannheim (UASM) 1998 Habilitation and venia legendi for Molecular Biotechnology, Medical Faculty Mannheim, Heidelberg University Vice-Dean Faculty of Biotechnology; since 2000 Professor, Center Medical Research (ZMF), Medical Faculty Mannheim since 2008 Director, Institute for Biomedical Technology, Heidelberg University & UASM; since 2014 Dean, Faculty of Biotechnology; incoming Vice President for Research & Technology Transfer Fields of interest: e.g. 3D-cell culture, calcium signalling, life cell imaging; > 90 Pubmed entries (e.g. Nature, Science, PNAS, JCS, JBC, Oncotarget) What was the biggest hurdle to get to the position which you are holding To convince the appointment committee that research is fundamental to academic education (nowadays that has changed). What is your most important advice for scientists who consider their career at a University of Applied Sciences? Pronounce the applied aspect of your research and don t be afraid of cooperative projects with industry. Is there something you would do different (concerning your career path) if you could do it again? Not really, won t miss my excursion into industry. December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 38

42 Speakers Profile Dr. Susanne Weg-Remers Administrative Manager DKFZ; Cancer Information Service (KID) Session IV: Framework for your Career Planning Brief history of career path Susanne Weg-Remers is Head of the Cancer Information Service ad the DKFZ in Heidelberg. She holds an MD PhD degree and a Masters degree in Public Administration. After graduation, she has worked in internal medicine and in both clinical and basic cancer research. Together with her colleagues at the Institute for Toxicology and Genetics (FZK, Karlsruhe), she described for the first time, a signaling pathway, regulating alternative splicing in T-lymphocytes. As of 2004, she turned her career towards science management with stations at FZK and as Head of Strategy at DKFZ. Here, she initiated several prominent initiatives, among them the National Cohort, which she held the position of the administrative coordinator until the establishment of a legal entity. As of 2012, Susanne Weg-Remers has taken on the lead of the Cancer Information Service, a unit which offers evidence-based, quality-secured cancer information to patients, relatives and the general public. This unit is dedicated to develop to a National Reference Center for Cancer Information in the coming years opening up its information sources particularly to health professionals. What skills have been really important for you to get to this position? Besides of having the particular professional background (clinical medicine, biomedical sciences and management), I had to be persistent. What is your one tip for scientists who might be considering a move to this sector? Just start with a beginner s position - I will tell you, how to identify them. If you are doing a good job, the perspectives are excellent. Why did you decide to choose the career path which you have taken? To provide evidence-based, quality proved information to cancer patients, the general public and to health professionals is an important task. In addition, I was attracted by the possibility to shape the service according to future needy and developments. What do you like best about your position? What are the major challenges? I enjoy most to interact with numerous interesting people. The biggest challenge is to focus the activities of a big team towards a limited number of well defined aims. P a g e 39 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

43 Speakers Profile Bérénice Kimpe ABG and the Franco-German University ABG Paris, France Session IV: Framework for your Career Planning Main Message: The grass may not be greener on the other Rhine side! Abstract The talk will present the specificities of the Higher Education and Research landscape as well as the academic career path after a PhD in France. Some statistics and information will be given to understand the challenges researchers in France are facing. Brief history of career path Bérénice Kimpe studied foreign languages applied to business. After her education, she joined a training institute to be in charge of European programmes for socially disadvantaged young people, with the conviction that a professional experience abroad accelerates their personal development. She was then recruited by an association to promote the bilingual education in schools and thus increase the future employability of young people. Since Sept. 2009, she has been working for ABG and the Franco-German University to help PhDs to implement a smooth transition out of Academia. She moderates European career workshops and writes some advisory articles on career strategy. Her activities are focussed on the international mobility of researchers. URL of home page or public profile: December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 40

44 Speakers Profile Bettina Crispin Head of Human Resources DKFZ Session IV: Framework for your Career Planning Main Message: The talk gives a short overview on the planned modifications of the law. Abstract In 2007, the Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz (Academic Fixed-Term Contract Law) came into force. The law outlines the regulations for the temporary employment of scientific, research and artistic staff at higher education institutions and research facilities. It allows fixed-term contracts during the qualification phase ( 12-Jahres-Regelung ) and within third party funded projects. The Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz was evaluated in Based on the outcome of this evaluation the Federal Government submitted a draft amendment of the law to the German Parliament. It is planned that the law will be amended in Brief history of career path Academic qualifications: Law studies at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, 1991: first state exam; 1994: second state exam; Work experience: : Human Resources and Legal Affairs, DRK Blutspendedienst Baden- Württemberg; 1999: Assistant to the Acting Director of the German Opera at the Rhine; : Assistant to the Administrative-Commercial Director of the DKFZ; : Head of Unit Administrative Project Management DKFZ; since 2011: Head of Unit Human Resources DKFZ P a g e 41 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

45 Organizers CAREER DAY: ACADEMIA ORGANISING COMMITTEE STEERING COMMITTEE Dr. Barbara Janssens Dr. Celina Cziepluch Dr. Timo Kehl Marion Gürth DKFZ Career Service DKFZ Advanced DKFZ Biosafety DKFZ Career Service Training PROJECT COORDINATORS Noemi Bender (D015) Felix Geist (A010) December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 42

46 Organizers SPEAKERS TEAM Dr. Stephanie Hoppe (F130), Dr. Katharina Filarsky (B061), Dr. Oksana Voloshanenko (B110), Nathalie Bauer (G403), Jana Sonner (G160) MARKETING AND DESIGN TEAM Jingjing Shi (A190), Dr. Sreejith Rajasekharan (F020), Iman Meziane (C050), Dr. Elham Kharazmi (C050) P a g e 43 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

47 Organizers BOOKING TEAM Dr. Verena Katzke (C020), Alexander Haussmann (G110), Christin Schmidt (B062) ON-SITE TEAM Christina Lehrer (B070), Eric Dyrcz (B070), Danja Sarink (C020) December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 44

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49 DKFZ Alumni Network A Treasure Box A Treasure networking Box for More than Thousand and One Alumni by Barbara Janssens and Marion Gürth* With the aim of actively tracing back DKFZ Alumni and staying in touch with current DKFZ members, a DKFZ Career Network group on the professional social media platform LinkedIn was created two years ago. The most important advantage of group membership is that one can send messages to other group members without being 1st degree (direct) contacts. Even just browsing career profiles of former DKFZ members may be very inspirational for planning the own future. Also well esteemed is the access of group members to links on vacancies and job ads including the opportunity to post own ads for free! Have a look at current jobs and upload any vacancies you may have. The DKFZ Career Network group has proven to be a treasure box for the recruitment of speakers for the regular DKFZ Career Days. For example, at the Career Day on Publishing 9 out of 15 speakers were Alumni, while 12 out of 20 were hosted on the R&D Career Day. Despite the short runtime, the DKFZCareer Network group has already reached the milestone of 1,000 members in February 2015: of these, 43% are still currently working at the DKFZ, and the majority are Alumni properly speaking i. e. not working at DKFZ anymore. Half of these DKFZ Alumni have left Germany, and meanwhile hold responsible positions. An exceptionally active subgroup consists of Masters students from the DKFZ Major in Cancer Biology and other Masters programs many of them continue their career as graduate students, a fact that explains why a relatively high proportion of Alumni are still working in Academia. The growing Career Network group also consists of 43 people who worked as postdocs at the DKFZ and now feature various positions in Academia. Also outside Academia there is a long list of career opportunities as indicated on the personal profiles. Indeed, behind all these web profiles one will find people deeply committed to the networking idea. Many scientists are happy to stay in touch with former DKFZ colleagues. They readily provide information about their recent work experience, how they got into their new position and what is particular about their careers. Just check it out on DKFZCareer-Network In the LinkedIn Network Group 43 members did a postdoc at DKFZ and now occupy various functions in Academia. In this figure the number of researchers (x axis) is plotted against the year they did their PhD (y-axis), resulting in a typical age pyramid. Most professors did their PhD in 2006 or before, but one is still very young (PhD 2012). Hopefully, the Network group will grow with at least a few hundred members every year so don t hesitate to invite your friends and colleagues from the DKFZ to join the network, too. * With special thanks to our student assistant Jana Fehr for extensive data analysis and crunching. December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 46

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52 DKFZ PhD Student Council There are over 600 German and international PhD students who work at the DKFZ in Heidelberg. Amongst them, six people are annually elected to form the PhD Student Council. The members of the Council serve as representatives of the student body, coordinate scientific and non-scientific student life in various ways and foster exchange and networking between PhD students. The PhD Teams are an integral part. One in ten PhD students volunteers to help in one of the teams, which are coordinated by the Student Council. One of our aims is to make PhD life better for all students. An important part of this task is organising social events as an escape from the daily routine, where you can meet your peers and colleagues, make friends, exchange experiences and expertise or simply relax for a bit. The PhD Happy Hours, for example, are an excellent opportunity to get in touch not just with other PhD students, but also postdocs and master students in a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere to discuss science and everything else. In addition, the Social Events Team and Party Team plan and organise movie nights, sports tournaments, two walks in spring and autumn and several parties around the year. Furthermore, we would like to extend our repertoire: we plan to establish connections between people with shared interests and support hobby clubs. You want to play chess, act in a play or practice martial arts, and are looking for others who want to join you? You can almost certainly find someone who is just as enthusiastic about your hobby right here at the DKFZ! Besides creating networks and providing opportunities to forge social connections, we also have some other tasks. The The PhD Student Council 2015/2016 members (Front: left to right: Azer Aylin Açikgöz, Juliane Hafermann, Sara Ciprut; Back: left to right: Antonino Pane, Sebastian Kruse, Mahak Singhal) Welcome Team makes the two PhD selection rounds per year as pleasant and informative for the applicants as possible, and provides further help for newcomers once they have joined the DKFZ. The Retreat Team organises the two PhD Retreats that take place in Weil der Stadt each year. Both these teams cooperate closely with the Graduate Office. Together with other teams from various different institutes in Heidelberg, the Conference Team helps to organise the Heidelberg Forum for Young Life Scientists. The Communication Team keeps the website updated, conducts an annual survey among the PhD students and keeps everyone updated on upcoming events. Finally, the Student Council also serves as a liaison between the PhD students and the DKFZ Management Board, and represents your interests on a Helmholtzwide level in the Helmholtz Juniors. If you want to learn more and stay informed, have any questions, or wish to help, do not hesitate to contact us or check out our Facebook page: Phd-student-council@dkfz.de hd/ P a g e 49 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

53 DKFZ Career Service For Masters/PhD students/postdocs INTRANET CALENDAR of all events in Heidelberg INFO on FACEBOOK To receive updates with links to interesting events and pages (about 3 per week) please LIKE the page DKFZ PhD Careers. To join groups become a FRIEND NETWORK on LinkedIn For optimal career development connect to scientists with interesting jobs. Current and former DKFZ scientists are warmly invited to join, as well as collaborators and other interested scientists. DISTRIBUTION LIST jobs-for-phd: To receive relevant job ads, information and events register on intranet (externals can be added on request) WORKSHOPS AND COURSES: DKFZ PhD students and postdocs can participate in workshops on e.g. application skills, CV writing, Career Plan B/Life Work Planning, soft skills, business for scientists etc. Register on or per . JOIN THURSDAY 1 pm OPEN CAREER LUNCH For all interested scientists to discuss with a guest about his/her career moves we have career lunch (see calendar) SCIENCE & SOCIETY: Discuss your role as a Scientist, Science & Ethics, Talking to the Public, and Volunteering -> Interest Engagement Experience on your CV APPOINTMENTS for Coaching (45 min) and CV checks after Workshop (20 min) Wednesdays in TP4 and Fridays in the DKFZ main building (request doodle link per ). DKFZ Career Manager since 2011: Dr. Barbara Janssens. She is Belgian (PhD in molecular and cell biology from Ghent University), and after a postdoc in Paris she worked for five years as an Editor at Wiley-Blackwell. DKFZ Career Project Coordinator since 2013: Marion Gürth studied Biology at the TU Darmstadt and did her Diploma in Heidelberg in Marion supports Career Service projects and focusses on building up the DKFZ Career Network. careers@dkfz.de Tel: and 1762 Office H b (15b 6 th floor main building west) at the Graduate Program Office M070 December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 50

54 Save the Date for the Next Career Days Career Day Medical Physics & Computer Science Monday, 2 May 2016 Career Day Clinical Research Friday, 23 Sep 2016 Career Day Project management Friday, 2 Dec 2016 Would you like to gain hands-on project management skills? Organize a Career Day with us! Call for organizers! Joining the Organizing Team will give you a deep insight into project management and event organization. You will participate in a workshop on the necessary tools in project management and communication, followed by team building. For organizers the Career Day itself is acknowledged as a Hands-on Project Management Training Day, as part of DKFZ Advanced Training. A certificate for achieved project management skills will be issued after successful participation and wrap-up evaluation. If you are interested in joining the organizing team for any of these Career Days, register with careerday@dkfz.de using the keyword Career Day 2016 P a g e 51 Career Day: Academia December 4 th 2015

55 We sincerely thank our sponsors for their support! We also thank Science for providing informational material and Forschung & Lehre for advertising our event! We thank you for joining this event! December 4 th 2015 Career Day: Academia P a g e 52

56 YOUR FEEDBACK is important to us! Please answer a few questions at: Scan the QR code to access the survey! Contact us: Careers@dkfz.de PDN@dkfz.de