Grow. Connect. Advance.
An integrative programme for R2 postdocs
Grow. Connect. Advance. is a new format, developed especially for postdocs in the first three years after completing their PhD. The programme lasts 6 months (September 2025 – February 2026) and consists of three building blocks: building skills, connecting and exchanging with peers, and career development. Grow. Connect. Advance. includes workshops on site and online, peer coaching formats and individual career counselling.
What is it about?
This professional development programme will bring together a group of 14 R2 postdoctoral researchers who want to move through their current career phase with more clarity and agency and be prepared for their next career step. You will explore how to cultivate self-awareness and use your time in a way that supports your wellbeing and goals, build meaningful professional relationships, navigate diversity and potential conflict, and strengthen your ability to negotiate needs and boundaries effectively.
The workshop sessions build on each other and combine self-reflection, peer dialogue, real-life case work, and practice with tailored tools. You will be encouraged to apply what you learn between sessions and bring your insights and questions to the next module and/or to the peer-coaching sessions. The peer-coaching sessions are designed as hands-on learning labs allowing you to further explore and practice your leadership communication skills. The individual career counselling sessions will help you gain clarity on your own competencies, values and interests and support you with exploring and preparing for your next career steps. The group will meet informally for lunch as an opportunity to connect and exchange in person.
Programme:
24.09. 09.30-16h Kickoff event: Workshop: Career planning (in Adlershof)
16.10. 09-13h Workshop: Career Clarity, Postdoc Wellbeing, and Good Enough Time Management (online)
30.10. 09-11h Peer coaching (online)
13.11. 09-13h Workshop: Building Nourishing Relationships: From Weak Ties to Long-Term Mentorships (online)
27.11. 09-11h Peer coaching (online)
11.12. 09-13h Workshop: Navigating Diversity and Potential Frustrations – For More Successful Collaborations (online)
15.01.2026 09-11h Peer coaching (online)
29.01. 09-13h Workshop: Negotiate – Achieving Your Goals When You Depend on Others’ Cooperation (online)
12.02. 09-11h Peer coaching (online)
26.02. 13-16h Closing event (Adlershof)
- Individual career counselling on site/online (dates will be scheduled individually)
- Informal lunch meetings in Adlershof (optional)
Eligibility
Eligible for applying are R2 postdocs who are:
- in the first 3 years within completing their PhD
- working at the Faculty of Mathematics and Naturals sciences or at the Psychology department and
- based in Berlin Adlershof.
Application
Apply with a CV and short letter of motivation in a single PDF to petya.jordan(at)hu-berlin.de by July 16th.
The letter of motivation should address the following questions:
- Why are you applying for the programme?
- What are your expectations from the programme?
- What are your current career plans/ ideas for the next steps?
- Confirmation that you are available on the planned dates and are committed to participation.
Candidates will be selected based on their motivation and commitment to participate in the programme. If the number of strong applications exceeds the available spots, the spots will be allocated randomly through a lottery system to ensure a fair selection process.
Attendance
Participation is free of charge, with an expected attendance rate of 70% of the workshops and the peer coaching sessions (10 events in total). If attendance falls below this threshold without a valid reason, a no-show fee of 100 EUR will apply.
Certificate
All participants who complete at least 70% of the programme will receive a certificate of completion.
Contact
For further questions, please contact the programme coordinator: petya.jordan(at)hu-berlin.de