Career Development
The promotion of junior scholars is a particular focus of the Max Planck Institute for Comparative and International Private Law. The institute has developed special offers for this purpose. (see also: Doctoral Students at the Institute and Events for the Promotion of Junior Scholars).
Individual questions from doctoral students regarding career development are discussed in one-on-one conversations as part of the structured doctoral student supervision.
The equal opportunities commissioner continues to be available to provide career-path advice, especially to female scholars.
The Max Planck Society offers additional opportunities for career development.
The Max Planck Research Groups are an excellent opportunity for junior scholars who have completed their PhD to obtain additional qualifications. The research groups are initially limited to five years, but can be extended. They utilize the infrastructure and administrative services of a Max Planck institute but have their own staff and resources. This makes it possible for the group leader to independently pursue a research project and thereby lay the foundation for a successful career.
There are two types of Max Planck Research Groups: so-called “institute specific” groups and “open topic” groups. While the institute-specific groups are usually tied to the respective institute and the lead position is advertised by the institute itself, the lead positions for the open-topic groups are advertised centrally by the Max Planck Society. In the latter case, individual project proposals can be submitted and the applicants can apply for the Max Planck institute of their choice.
In addition, the Max Planck Society has also established the following supports for female scholars:
The Max Planck Society has established a mentoring programme for its junior female scholars – from those completing their Diplom (master’s degree) to highly qualified researchers – which provides support tailored to every level of qualification. www.minerva-femmenet.mpg.de
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Together with the organization EAF Berlin, the Max Planck Society has developed the “Sign up! Career-Building” programme for female postdocs and academic staff. Sign up! includes training on topics such as networking, self-presentation, and leadership competence. www.eaf-berlin.de
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The Max Planck Society participates in the Robert Bosch Foundation’s AcademicaNet: the database maintains portraits of excellent female scholars in all disciplines, making women visible as a result; it can be used by research institutes and research bodies, journalists, and conference organizers, as well as for networking among the women themselves. www.academia-net.de
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