Regulations and Contacts at HHU
Postdoc at HHU
Welcome at Heinrich Heine University!
Doing a postdoc is part of the qualification for a future independent research career. As a postdoc you develop your own scholarly competence working under the supervsion of HHU faculty members. You build a scientific network and learn additional subject specific methods and technics.
JUNO likes to provide guidance and support for you in order to promote attractive and sustainable (research) careers!
Postdocs are researchers who obtained a doctorate. They are employed for a limited period of time in order to gain further qualifications. Generally, they aim for a career in science. In the course of the postdoc phase, a reorientation may take place for positions outside academic academia, for example in business or industry, in science management (also scientific infrastructure) or in culture, politics and society. Characteristic for the postdoc phase is the autonomous development of one's career and the setting of the course for one's further career path. Postdocs are in the R2 phase according to the EU phase model (European Commission Directorate General for Research & Innovation 2011). („recognised researcher, PhD holders or equivalent who are not yet fully independent“(1).
(1) Research profiles descriptors | EURAXESS (europa.eu), Whereas we classify junior research group leaders, persons with ERC Starting Grants, Heisenberg professorships, junior professorships, habilitation candidates in the later stages, etc. as being in the advanced professional development, i.e. the R3 phase. (Established Researcher, Researchers who have developed a level of independence).
By providing the appropriate research environment HHU wants their postdocs to be able to
- extend their knowledge on methods and techniques as well as gaining additional scientific work routine
- have an annual review that includes input by the postdoc and the mentor with a focus on productivity and feasible career goals
- use support in writing grant applications and developing an own strategic research profile
- get coaching while setting up an own research group and developing own leadership competencies
Moreover, HHU wants to support their postdocs
- in setting up own networks of research colleagues and get connected on campus
- so they can present their work at international conferences and meetings
- with regard to having a good work-life balance. In addition, HHU supports young parents in finding child care.
On behalf of the Junior Scientist and International Researcher Center (JUNO) we welcome you as a postdoctoral researcher at HHU. This
Postdoc Primer
serves as an overview of the support structures for postdocs and aims to bundle all the relevant information together for a smooth start at HHU.
The following guidelines are intended to provide a productive and inspiring working environment as well as good research conditions and opportunities for personal development for HHU postdocs.
HHU Postdoc Guidelines
Supporting documents:
Template for a possible target agreement for the postdoc phase
Recommendations for postdocs to prepare a feedback meeting
Postdoc career guide (also see below)
The joint process for developing the postdoc guidelines took place in 2023/2024 and is documented here.
Career guide for Postdocs
Whether you are looking for an academic career or a non-academic career: In any case, concrete goals and planning are an important basis for a career path that suits you. Our career guide helps you to take a look at your own career development in good time. Your personal career plan developed in this way can then be the starting point for further discussions and conversations with mentors and colleagues.
Contact points and information for HHU researchers
- Deutsche Gesellschaft Juniorprofessur (German Society Junior Professorship)
- Die Junge Akademie (The young academy)
- Deutscher Hochschulverband (German Association of University Professors and Lecturers)
Legal framework for academics
In order to do justice to the framework conditions in academic education, there is a special regulation for academics* - the Act on Temporary Employment Contracts in Science (Wissenschaftszeitvertragsgesetz, WissZeitVG).
More information on Academic employment law
Further information on working conditions in science:
- Euraxess information plattform for mobile researchers
- Guidelines for good employment conditions for staff at universities of NRW (in German)
Representations for scientific staff:
According to the provisions of the NRW State Personnel Representation Act (LPVG), a separate staff representation body must be set up for academic staff at universities. The Staff Council for Academic Staff at Heinrich Heine University advises and represents academic staff from all faculties at the university.
Complaints Office pursuant to Art. 13 General Act on Equal Treatment
The purpose of the German General Act on Equal Treatment (Allgemeines Gleichbehandlungsgesetz – AGG), which entered into force in 2006, is to prevent or stop discrimination on the grounds of: Race or ethnic origin, Gender, Religion or belief, Disability, Age or Sexual orientation. Legislators have explicitly stipulated that employees have the right to lodge complaints.
Complaints Office at HHU
Support programmes for scientists with families:
- For Women in Science - for female researchers with children - Loreal Foundation
- Support for female researchers with children - Christine Nüsslein Vollhardt Foundation
Information on Mentoring
- Mentoring: The perspective of Nobel Laureates
- The role of mentorship in protégé performance
- Mentoring Resources for Scientists - Nature Careers Article Summary
MyNRMN is a powerful social networking platform for students and researchers across the biomedical, behavioral, social, and clinical sciences to connect with one another for anything from general questions about research and professional development as a scientist to scheduling more formal mentorship appointments one-on-one or as a group.
→ SelmaMeyerMentoring für weibliche Wissenschaftler*innen an der HHU
Concerning conficential matters you have several contacts within and outside of university who will support you.
HHU-internal contact persons
- Ombudsperson of HHU
- Counselling during graduate education at the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences
via Interdisciplinary Graduate and Research Academy Düsseldorf (iGRAD) - Counselling for early career researchers and supervisors at the Faculty Arts and Humanities
via the graduate academy philGRAD
Contacts outside of HHU
Network against Abuse of Power in Science
Counselling in the event of attacks and unobjective conflicts in scientific communication
For iGRAD members: counselling for career planning, career development, and employment applications
Which criteria are important for me in the choice of my future career? Which career paths are compatible with these criteria? What do I need to know now, if I intend to follow an academic career? Which interdisciplinary skills/qualifications are required and by whom? How can I coordinate my strategy for advanced professional education with my career choice? Where can I find relevant job vacancies and how do I read the advertisements? Where can I find useful advice and tips about applying for a position? In addition to the offers that are an integral part of its workshop program, iGRAD offers information and counselling related to many aspects of career planning, career development, and job applications to its members who are doing their doctoral research. These offers range from an evaluation (based on the “career anchor” concept) of individual needs and priorities related to career decision, through advice and tips for job applications, to planning advanced training that harmonizes with career targets (focussed competence development).
More information on the iGRAD Website.
For philGRAD members: Consulting and Coaching
The Coordination Office of the Graduate Academy philGRAD is happy to advise its members and all interested parties in all matters concerning membership and the qualification, counselling and mentoring programme that is currently being set up. We are also available as contact partners in case of conflict. More information on the philGRAD Website.
Career councelling for postdocs of all research areas
By career we mean the development in a professional activity that is in line with personal interests, values and competencies. We would like to support you in ensuring that your employment at HHU has a long-term positive influence on this development and helps you to progress personally. We offer individual career advice and support you in the development and formulation of career goals. More information is available on the JUNO Websites.
Contact
Dr. Uta Brunner
Junior Scientist and International Researcher Center (JUNO)
Universitätsstr. 1Building: 16.11
Floor/Room: 00.48
40225 Düsseldorf
+49 211 81-13564
