Postdoc

Postdocs meet Alumni

GRADE helps RMU postdocs get in touch with alumni.

On May 16, 2025, the event "Postdocs meet Alumni" happened for the first time in the Renate von Metzler Hall on the Westend Campus. It's a new format of the Goethe Research Academy for Early Career Researchers, which specifically supports postdocs of the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) in their career orientation.

New perspectives on how career pathways develop

The focus was on personal exchange: Some of the former postdocs from Goethe University shared there career pathways and what they're up to these days. It's pretty diverse — they're working in universities, ministries, museums, science communication, industry, and coaching.

Even during the short introductions, it was clear how different postdoc careers can be, both in and outside of academia. The alumni chatted about their experiences, including changes they'd made, detours they'd taken, and their desire to make a social impact.

An eye-level exchange

During the open networking phase, participants had the chance to chat with the alumni. They talked, asked questions, listened, and got inspired at different topic tables. The coaches Dr. Sarah Weber and Dr. Grażyna Jurewicz were there too. They were the ones running the show and they also gave some input of their own.

The atmosphere quickly became trusting, thanks to the openness of the alumni. They shared not only their professional stations, but also their personal decisions, challenges, and success strategies. We talked about balancing family and career, choosing a location, and personal strengths, and we shared some very practical tips.

Finally, Coach Sarah Weber asked everyone to do a short reflection exercise with the "wheel of possibilities." This activity helped people see their individual wishes, goals, and potential.

All postdocs will then have the chance to take advantage of a free one-on-one coaching session to turn the energy from the event into real next steps.

A Successful Start

With "Postdocs Meet Alumni," GRADE is creating a new space for exchange, orientation, and networking, especially for postdocs in an important yet often challenging phase of their careers. The positive response shows that this is a valuable resource. Thinking outside the box is worthwhile and can give you the courage to forge your own path.


We would like to thank everyone involved, especially the dedicated alumni, for their openness and for sharing their experiences!

Coaching

During the event, participants had the opportunity to sign up online for a 1:1 coaching with one of the coaches:

The Alumni

We thank all participating GU alumni for sharing their experiences:

  • Dr. Annika Busch-Geertsema, consultant for “Mobility, Logistics, Inland Navigation” at the Hessian Ministry of Economics, Energy, Transport, Housing and Rural Areas | formerly faculty 11
  • Prof. Dr. Mériem Diouani-Streek, Professor of Social Work at the UAS Frankfurt (trainer for education, Hessian Child Day Care Office); Professor of Communication and Counselling with children and adolescents | formerly faculty 04
  • Dr. rer. nat. Lisa Döring, middle shool teacher in Munich | formerly faculty 15
  • Dr. Ursula Grünenwald, Manager in the PR Department at the PRIF Leibniz Institute for Peace and Conflict Research | formerly faculty 09
  • Dr. Annette Hilscher, research assistant in the BMBF project “Between Career Planning and Care Responsibility (KaSo)” and joint project coordinator in the BMBF joint project “Science and Care (WiSo)” at the UAS Frankfurt; previously managing director at the Association of Binational Families (iaf.e.V.)| formerly faculty 03
  • Dr. Grażyna Jurewicz, freelance coach and trainer; previously: lecturer in the field of Jewish studies and philosophy, including as junior professor of Jewish religious and cultural history at the University of Potsdam | formerly faculty 06
  • Prof. Dr. Marcel Kern, Professor for Work and Health at Ruhr University Bochum (junior professorship) | formerly faculty 05
  • Dr. Annika Klein, Head of Department "Politics and Society" at the VHS Wiesbaden | formerly faculty 08
  • Dr. Sebastian Lotzkat, Consultant for Science Communication, Education; Freelancer in Mediation and Speaker, Guide, Trainer at the State Museum of Natural History, Stuttgart | formerly faculty 15
  • Dr. Barbara Lubich, freelance filmmaker, artist, historian and developer of cultural projects as well as board member of Zentralwerk Kultur-und Wohngenossenschaft eG | formerly faculty 08
  • Prof. Dr. Milena Noll, Professor for Child Protection in Social Work, Frankfurt UAS | formerly faculty 04
  • Dr. Sarah Oelsner, founder and managing partner of Scitaris GmbH Co. KG | formerly faculty 14
  • Dr. Niko Schenk, Staff Engineer Algorithm Research at NIO (Developer with focus on Natural Language Understanding for NOMI - NIO's intelligent in-car speech assistant) | formerly faculty 12
  • Prof. Dr. Sebastian Schipper, Heisenberg Professorship for Geographical Urban Research | formerly FB 11
  • Prof. Dr. Stefan Simm, Professor of Bioinformatics at the Coburg University of Applied Sciences | formerly faculty 15
  • Dr. Florian Sochor, Head of Production and Department Head of the Fibrinogen Production Plant at Biotest AG | formerly faculty 14