To support you in this challenging phase of your scientific career, a TUBAF Posdoc Programme has been developed to meet your needs.

The TUBAF Postdoc Programme consists of three pillars:

1. Workshops and short workshops

You can register here for the workshops planned for winter 2025/2026.

2nd Postdoc Month

In the Postdoc Month, postdoctoral researchers and leaders of junior research groups have the opportunity to exchange ideas and receive further training in a concentrated and short period of time. The programme includes workshops, lectures, pitches and discussions with experts from the Humboldt Foundation network.

3rd Postdoc Network

In addition to the ongoing workshops and the Postdoc Month, regular postdoc fireside chats take place, in which either an emeritus Excellence Professor or a recently appointed professor enriches the Postdoc Network round to talk about challenges and moments of success, exchange ideas and learn from each other.

Participation in the TUBAF postdoc programme is open to all postdocs and heads of research groups at TU Bergakademie Freiberg.

You can register here for the planned fireside chats in autumn 2025.

In difficult situations, be it when you are challenged as a junior research group leader and conflicts arise in your own research group, when you are supervising students with psychological stress or when you yourself reach the limits of your own ability to cope with stress and need to find your bearings: At the Graduate and Research Academy, you will find contact persons who can advise you in individual cases. You are welcome to make an appointment for a personal consultation.

Dr Theresa Wand
+ 49 3731 39 3366
theresa [dot] wand [at] grafa [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (theresa[dot]wand[at]grafa[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)

Dr Kristina Wopat
+ 49 3731 39 3026
wopat [at] tu-freiberg [dot] de (wopat[at]tu-freiberg[dot]de)

The English-language brochure "Welcome to TUBAF - Guide for Refugee Scientists" has been developed for refugee scientists who are new to our university. It provides an overview of important steps after arriving in Germany - from administrative tasks and support services to finding a job.

Contact person:
Prof. Dr Myo Min
Prüferstr. 2, Room 2.409
+49 3731 39-3347
Myo [dot] Min1 [at] grafa [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de

Science communication

Good science communication is becoming increasingly important - in research, in society and in the media. People want to understand what is being researched - explained in an understandable, exciting and relevant way.

As part of the WISNA programme, we will be offering you individual coaching on science communication over the next few months.

In the coaching you will learn

• how to present your research topic in an understandable and exciting way for different target groups
• which formats suit you
• how classic media work and how you can use them for yourself
• how to integrate science communication into funding applications
• what opportunities for science communication there are for you at TUBAF

In addition, we can discuss your research topic together with the colleagues:interns from Department 5 - University Communication for press and public relations work.

The coaching is an individualised support process that is geared towards your personal interests and areas of focus. As a guide, we suggest 3 to 4 meetings over three months. However, a one-off appointment would also be possible. The coaching is free of charge for you.

Take the opportunity and get in touch as soon as possible, as we can unfortunately only offer the coaching until April 2026 due to the limited funding period.

Contact person

Claudia Kallmeier

+49 3731 39 3040
claudia [dot] kallmeier [at] tu-freiberg [dot] de (claudia[dot]kallmeier[at]tu-freiberg[dot]de)

TUBAF Postdoc Network offers a scientifically diverse and multidisciplinary environment in which potential is developed and promoted. Postdocs and heads of research groups can benefit from the network with the aim of personal development, mutual support and a constant exchange of experience.

You can register for the TUBAF Postdoc Network here:

Registration

_{What does the TUBAF Postdoc Network offer?}

• Networking: Network with postdoctoral researchers and heads of research groups as well as other scientists at TUBAF
• Visibility: Represent the interests and make the needs of postdocs and heads of research groups at TUBAF visible.
• Exchange: Exchange ideas with each other and with the invited professors and experts on exciting topics.
• Information: Support and inform each other as a group and share your experiences with others.

In order to give you the opportunity to join other external postdoc networks and to benefit from the constant exchange and offers, we have put together a series of external postdoc networks for you:

• Postdoc-Support-Network

• German Postdoc Network

There are various funding options and scholarship programmes for postdocs. Some support a stay abroad, others a return from abroad, others support a habilitation or a research project and others are specifically designed for women.

In general, interested parties should inform themselves in advance about the conditions of the individual funding programmes. These sometimes contain very detailed requirements in terms of time frame, local particularities or specific disciplines. Some of the most important national scholarship programmes are listed below.

The following are the most important national funding programmes for postdocs:

• Daimler Benz Foundation Scholarship Programme for Postdocs and Junior Professors:

The scholarship is granted for a period of two years; the funding amount is €40,000.

• Emmy Noether Programme of the DFG

  The programme is for postdocs who already have at least two years of postdoctoral experience. The programme is intended for a six-year independent junior research group leadership as preparation for a professorship. The programme also aims to attract outstanding scientists back from abroad.

• Evonic Foundation

  Postdocs in the field of chemistry are funded for one year. The funding amount is decided on a case-by-case basis.

• Liebig Scholarship

  Funding is provided for postdocs up to three years after their doctorate in the field of chemistry and related fields for a period of three years with €3,400 per month plus €3,000 for the purchase of specialist literature and attending conferences and €50,000 for material resources.

• Fritz Thyssen Foundation

  The Fritz Thyssen Foundation's project funding is aimed at researchers from the humanities, social sciences and biomedicine. Young postdoctoral researchers are supported for one year within 1 to 2 years of completing their doctorate with €1,800 per month plus funds for the child.

• Hans-Böckler-Stiftung-Maria-Weber-Grant

  Hans-Böckler-Stiftung awards the Maria Weber Grant to outstanding researchers from all disciplines. Applicants can apply for a replacement for up to 12 months to take over some of their teaching duties in order to free up time for their research.

• HIDA Trainee Network

  With this funding programme, the Helmholtz Information & Data Science Academy (HIDA) provides targeted support for young, talented scientists to spend one to three months conducting research at another Helmholtz centre.

• Klaus Tschira Boost Fund

  The career paths of young scientists in the STEM subjects are promoted. Support for establishing international collaborations and networks. Funding of up to €80,000 for up to 2 years.

• Volkswagen-Stiftung-Lichtenberg Professorships

  Outstanding young scientists with 2 to 3 years of research experience after their doctorate as well as those returning from abroad are supported. It is a five-year grant with €0.8-1.5 million per professorship.

• Hermann Credner Scholarship (award)

  The scholarship is awarded annually for outstanding basic geological research to post-doctoral students or early career researchers. The scholarship is endowed with around €5,000 plus funding for conference participation.

The following are the most important national funding programmes for research abroad:

• DAD short-term scholarship

It offers monthly financial support of €1,750 for a period of between three and six months for a stay at a foreign host institute (plus, for example, foreign allowances, child allowances and childcare costs as well as contributions to material costs and travel allowances).

• Postdoctoral Researchers International Mobility Experience (PRIME) Programme of the DAAD

  This does not involve direct monetary payments; instead, the DAAD enables recipients to receive 18 months of employment instead of a scholarship through grant agreements with the host universities.

• Walter Benjamin Programme of the DFG

  This programme supports researchers in the early career phase after their doctorate for up to two years, regardless of whether they wish to complete their research projects in Germany or abroad.

• Feodor Lynen Research Fellowship from the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

  Funding is provided for 6 to 24 months of research abroad in all disciplines.

• NSTC Research Fellowship of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation

  Funding is provided for 3 to 12 months of research in Taiwan in all disciplines

• Alexander von Humboldt Foundation/Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS): Research scholarships for postdoctoral students to Japan

  Research stays of 1-12 months in Japan for doctoral students and postdoctoral students of all disciplines are funded.

• Leopoldina Scholarship

  Outstanding doctoral researchers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland are supported.

  The funding includes a personalised, individual full scholarship. This includes a basic scholarship, supplements if applicable (depending on marital status and host location), as well as a monthly budget of €250 for material and consumables (travel expenses, laboratory supplies, etc.). A stay at the host institute is supported for projects that can be worked on and completed in one to two years.

• Max Buchner Research Foundation (Dechema e.V.)

  The foundation supports young scientists by awarding travel grants. Habilitation students and junior professors at non-university research institutions are supported with €10,000 for one year.

• Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft: Forschungsstipendium

  Funding enables young researchers to carry out a research project at a location of their choice abroad.

The following are the most important national funding programmes for women:

• Zia-Visible Women in Science and Humanities

  The one-year fellowship programme of ZEIT Verlag supports 25 female scientists from all disciplines every year. The aim of Zia - Visible Women in Science and Humanities is to promote and network female scientists and make their achievements more visible.

• Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard-Stiftung

  Foundation is aimed at female doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in a subject of experimental natural sciences or medicine. Funds are made available to relieve the burden of household chores and childcare. These funds can be used, for example, to hire domestic help, purchase appliances such as dishwashers or washing machines and additional childcare (e.g. babysitters in the evenings or while travelling to conferences). The funds are not used to finance the living expenses of the scholarship holder and her family.

• Re-entry Scholarships Saxony

  The Free State of Saxony provides scholarships for re-entry into science for women who have taken a break from scientific work to fulfil family responsibilities. Funding is available for female academics from all disciplines with the aim of a doctorate or habilitation.

The following are the most important European/global funding programmes for postdocs:

• The Marie Curie Fellowship (MSCA)
• Azrieli International Postdoctoral Fellowship
• EMBO Postdoctoral Fellowships
• European Research Council (ERC) - ERC Starting Independent Research Grants and ERC Advanced Investigator Grants
• Human Frontier Science Programme (HFSP) - Postdoctoral Fellowships
• Society in Science - The Branco Weiss Fellowship

Are you planning a research stay abroad, would you like to take part in an international summer school or present your research at an international conference? TU Bergakademie Freiberg will support you!

The funding programme for the internationalisation of doctorates, postdoc phases and habilitations provides doctoral candidates with financial resources for their first international steps on their academic career path. Take the opportunity to gain international experience and sharpen your research profile.

You can find all information on the funding programme at the following link:

https://tu-freiberg.de/grafa/mobilitaetsfoerderung

UNIWIND: Promotion of internationalisation in early academic career phases

Guide to the postdoc phase

Dear postdocs, dear leaders of the junior research groups,

our 1st postdoc network meeting in December 2024 marked the successful launch of our TUBAF postdoc programme. The kick-off meeting focussed on personal exchange and the identification of central needs and objectives for the postdoc phase - especially with regard to qualification offers on the way to a professorship. From this, focal points were derived that are to be implemented in the course of 2025. The postdoc programme for 2025 was then developed in concrete terms and a dedicated postdoc website was set up. The programmes for the first half of the year were published there as early as February 2025.

You can access the postdoc website here: https://tu-freiberg.de/grafa/postdocs-der-tubaf

The three pillars of the TUBAF Postdoc Programme:

• Workshops
• Network meetings/fireside chats
• Postdoc Month

Workshops and network meetings take place throughout the year. A special highlight is the Postdoc Month in May: every week, participants can look forward to numerous short workshops, guest lectures, fireside chats and a final get-together.

Review of the first half of 2025

March 2025:

The first workshops on Conflict Management and Sharpening Your Research Profile were very well received. Participants highlighted these formats as particularly valuable and suggested them as a "compulsory programme".

May 2025 - Postdoc Month:

Different events took place every week, including

• Fireside chat with a newly appointed TUBAF professor: Challenges on the path to a professorship
• Short workshops on scientific communication and personnel and team management
• Lecture by Prof. Yvonne Joseph on the topic of appointment procedures

Also in May, the 2nd network meeting took place under the motto "Postdoc pitches". Here, postdocs had the opportunity to present their research field in 5 minutes, followed by a 10-minute discussion on possible synergies and collaborations.

As a result of these formats, new initiatives were launched:

• OPAL course for postdocs: Exchange platform for presentations on your own scientific research field as well as workshop materials

  You can find the OPAL course here: TUBAF Postdoc Programme

• "Institute Tour": Quarterly guided tours of institutes with insights into laboratories and technical equipment. The first tour took place in June 2025 under the direction of Dr Sven Eckart. Further dates are planned for the autumn.

In addition, a equipment list is currently being drawn up, in which all research equipment worth €10,000 or more is listed - including the responsible contact persons. This is intended to create transparency, utilise resources efficiently and avoid duplicate equipment. It will be compiled by 4transfer and is scheduled to be completed by the end of August.

July 2025:

Prof. Yvonne Joseph gave another lecture on Applications and interviews in the appointment process - also with a very positive response.

Preview: Events in the second half of 2025

📅 10 September 2025
Short workshop: Application process, consortium formation and project coordination for EU projects

Further information and registration can be found here:

https://blogs.hrz.tu-freiberg.de/grafa/workshopuebersicht/kamingespraech-eu-projekte/

📅 23 October 2025
Fireside chat with Prof. Hiller: Challenges on the path to a professorship

For more information and to register, click here:

https://blogs.hrz.tu-freiberg.de/grafa/workshopuebersicht/kamingespraech-mit-prof-daniel-hille/

📅 7 November 2025
Workshop with Dr Kristina Wopat: Mental calm and inner freedom in high-stress situations

For more information and to register, click here:

https://blogs.hrz.tu-freiberg.de/grafa/workshopuebersicht/mentale-ruhe-und-innere-freiheit-in-hoch-angespannten-situationen/

📅 11 December 2025
Fireside chat with Prof. Dr habil. Jürgen Bast: Experiences and challenges in the course of an academic career

Further information and registration can be found here:

https://blogs.hrz.tu-freiberg.de/grafa/workshopuebersicht/kamingespraech-mit-prof-dr-habl-juergen-bast/

Other

Mobility support

The TU Bergakademie Freiberg specifically supports young researchers in their first international steps with the Funding programme for the internationalisation of doctorates, postdoc phases and habilitations. Doctoral candidates, postdocs and habilitation candidates receive funding to gain international experience and further develop their research profile. The programme is aimed at doctoral candidates at TU Bergakademie Freiberg - regardless of whether they are employed or funded by a scholarship -, postdoctoral candidates up to six years after completing their doctorate (with the possibility of extension in the event of parenthood or caring responsibilities) and habilitation candidates.

Funding is provided for international research stays and unpaid internships in industry abroad in connection with the doctorate, postdoctoral phase or habilitation. In addition, participation in scientific summer and winter schools or comparable training formats is eligible for funding. Active participation in conferences, meetings, workshops or working meetings abroad can also be supported - especially if doctoral candidates have limited financial resources. Active participation is deemed to be in particular an own speech or poster presentation.

Detailed information on funding amounts, cost coverage and requirements can be found in §3 of the Regulations for the Promotion of Internationalisation of Doctoral Studies, Postdoc Phase and Habilitation at TU Bergakademie Freiberg dated 30 May 2025. Applications can be submitted on an ongoing basis at the end of each month. The documents must be sent as a PDF to international [at] grafa [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de. Please only use your official TU Bergakademie Freiberg e-mail address for this purpose. The last possible funding date is 30 April 2026.

More information can be found here: https://tu-freiberg.de/grafa/mobilitaetsfoerderung

"New OPAL course - "Designing good teaching"

In the new OPAL course of university didactics, you will now find news, useful materials and methods for your teaching as well as the opportunity to exchange ideas with each other and with the lecturers for university didactics at TU BAF.

You can access the OPAL course here: Designing good teaching - TUBAF internal - OPAL

For questions, please contact Ms Doris Geburek (Doris [dot] Geburek [at] bwl [dot] tu-freiberg [dot] de (Doris[dot]Geburek[at]bwl[dot]tu-freiberg[dot]de)).

If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the postdoc programme, we look forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,

GraFA team