Career options for postdocs
If you decide to stay in science or research after completing your doctorate, there is a wide range of career options open to you. Whether you come to Germany as a postdoc, a junior professor or a visiting researcher, German universities, non-university research institutes and companies offer young international researchers excellent opportunities to gain research experience and qualify for the next step up the career ladder.
Typical career paths in Germany:
The way to a professorship
Different routes lead to a university professorship in Germany. Though the habilitation process is still common, there are now additional recognised ways of qualifying for appointment as a professor.
Postdoc positions
Universities, non-university research institutes and companies offer research jobs or grants to support young postdoctoral researchers.
Research group leader
Working as a research group leader at a university or non-university research institute not only provides experience of managing a research team and conducting research on your own project; it also offers an opportunity to work independently and take responsibility for staffing and budgets.
Junior professor
A junior professorship has become an established alternative to habilitation. The focus here is on early independence in research and teaching.
Researcher in industry
Do you enjoy a challenge and finding solutions to practical problems? Postdocs will find many interesting positions in research and development at German companies.
Research stays and visits
A research stay or visit will not only enable you to establish first contacts in Germany and gain an understanding of the research and higher education system; it can also make it easier to decide in favour of a research career in Germany.
International collaborations
Realising your own research idea with an international partner broadens horizons and enables new experiences. German universities, non-university research institutes and companies are excellent cooperation partners.
Dual careers
Highly qualified couples who are both planning a career in Germany can receive targeted support from dual career networks at universities.
