The "Academic Career Development Office" at Paderborn University is now called the "Paderborn PhD & Postdoc Support Office". By changing the name, the university is taking greater account of the organisation's focus and target group. The previous name did not adequately reflect the service function and clear focus on doctoral students and postdocs.
The new name makes the centre's mission clearer: it is the central and interdisciplinary point of contact for doctoral candidates and postdocs at Paderborn University. "As the Paderborn PhD & Postdoc Support Office, we now also show by name what we stand for: We support doctoral candidates and postdocs on their individual career paths – personally, strategically and at eye level," says Dr. Alexandra Wiebke, Head of the Paderborn PhD & Postdoc Support Office.
Networking, counselling and guidance for diverse career opportunities
The Paderborn PhD & Postdoc Support Office offers a wide range of information, counselling and networking formats. At the start of the new semester, all new doctoral students are invited to the "Welcome to the Doctorate" event. There they have the opportunity to get to know other doctoral candidates and find out about central offers relating to the doctorate. The next event will take place on 14 April from 12 noon in the Mensula.
PhD students can also take part in peer coaching sessions and the monthly PhD lunches. These formats offer space for exchange, networking and mutual support with current challenges in everyday doctoral life.
PhD students and postdocs can also take advantage of offers for strategic career planning. Both individual career planning sessions and the "Career Spotlights" event series highlight different career paths within and outside academia. The Paderborn PhD & Postdoc Support Office is also the right point of contact for planning stays abroad during your doctorate.
In addition, the annual day event “Possibility PhD – To do, or not to do, a doctorate?” offers prospective doctoral candidates help in deciding for or against a doctorate. The next theme day will take place on 28 April.
From the "Jenny Aloni Centre" to the "Jenny Aloni Network"
The "Jenny Aloni Centre for Early-Career Researchers" is also being renamed and is now called the "Jenny Aloni Network for Early-Career Researchers" (JANE). The new name emphasises the network character: JANE strategically brings together all specialist and interdisciplinary support services for doctoral candidates and postdocs at Paderborn University and strengthens cooperation between the participating institutions.
With the new names, the structure of support for academics in early career phases at Paderborn University is more clearly visible – with the same proven offers.
