GRADE - Goethe Research Academy for Early Career Researchers

🚀 What happens after a scientific breakthrough? How can cutting-edge research create impact beyond academic publications?

The iF Summer School 2026 offers doctoral researchers a unique opportunity to explore how scientific discoveries can be translated into real-world applications, innovation, and entrepreneurial opportunities. Over six intensive days, participants work alongside peers from different disciplines to examine emerging technologies through the lens of societal impact, market potential, and venture development.

The program is particularly relevant for PhD candidates working in physics, medicine, life sciences, medtech, engineering, innovation, or related fields who are curious about science transfer, entrepreneurship, technology commercialization, or non-academic career pathways.

Participants will engage with topics such as:
• Quantum technologies, biomedical imaging, and medtech
• Technology transfer and innovation ecosystems
• Market and application analysis
• Venture creation and opportunity development
• Interdisciplinary collaboration across science and business

💡 Whether you are considering a future in academia, industry, start-ups, or science management, the Summer School provides valuable insights into how research can create societal and economic impact beyond the laboratory.

📅 13–18 September 2026
📍 Hamburg (fully onsite)
🔗 Further information and application: https://lnkd.in/e3dbsrgy

⏳ Application deadline: 31 July 2026

🎓 Outstanding doctoral supervision shapes careers, fosters innovation, and helps researchers reach their full potential. To celebrate this commitment, GRADE is inviting nominations for the 2026 Award for Best Doctoral Supervision at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt.

💡Who made a lasting difference during your doctorate? Has your supervisor gone above and beyond by supporting your research, opening doors to new opportunities, and encouraging your professional growth? Now is your chance to recognize their dedication. Submit your nomination by 15 September 2026!

🏆 Nominations can be made by groups of at least three doctoral candidates and/or postdocs within one year of their dissertation defense. The award winners will be honored during a ceremonial award event on 30 November 2026 at Goethe University’s Campus Westend.

➡️ Submit a nomination: https://tinygu.de/nomsupervisor

➡️ Learn more: https://www.grade.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/57612445/Award_for_Best_Doctoral_Supervision?

📣 In 2026, the Rhine-Main Universities alliance (RMU) of Goethe University Frankfurt, Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz and Technical University of Darmstadt will once again present two awards in the RMU profile areas Health and Society.

🔬 Applications are now being accepted for the RMU Award for Pharmaceutical Research & Innovative Medical Therapies, sponsored by Frankfurt Foundation Quality of Medicines
Application deadline: 15 August 2026

🏆The aim of the award, endowed with 10,000 euros, wants to recognize pioneering, creative research ideas of RMU postdocs and make innovative research projects more visible.

Application is open to RMU postdocs at qualification levels R2 (Recognized Researchers) or R3 (Established Researchers).

🔗Further information on the awards and the application requirements: https://www.rhein-main-universitaeten.de/en/rmu-awards

Stay tuned: The nomination call for the Sybille Kalkhof-Rose RMU Award for the Humanities and Social Sciences will also follow soon. Information will be published here and on the RMU website!

RMU Awards | Rhein-Main Universitäten (RMU) RMU Awards Presented in the RMU profile areas Since 2025, the Rhine-Main Universities (RMU) have been presenting RMU Awards in two of the four profile areas in which the RMU pools its research. The four profile areas are Society, Health, Data, and Matter.In 2025, the following two RMU Awards were pr...

Networking on the water: RMU researchers on the Main River 🚤☀️

At the end of May, PhD candidates and postdocs from the Rhein-Main-Universitäten met in Frankfurt for a boat tour on the Main River as part of the RMU Social Welcoming Events.

Researchers from a wide range of disciplines, including biomedical cancer research, technical engineering, electronics and economics, used the afternoon to connect across fields and institutions. Conversations ranged from academic career paths and the challenges of fixed-term research positions to journal publishing and the growing role of AI in research and everyday academic communication.

With sunshine, views of Frankfurt’s skyline and plenty of time for conversation, the boat tour offered a memorable setting for exchange across the RMU network.

The RMU Social Welcoming Events are organized in rotation by GRADE (Goethe-Universität Frankfurt), INGENIUM (Technische Universität Darmstadt) and the Gutenberg Academy (Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz), bringing together early-career researchers from all three universities.

👉 The next opportunity to connect is already coming up soon: the RMU Postdoc Career Weeks will once again bring together postdocs from across the network for workshops, discussions and exchange on academic careers and beyond: https://www.rhein-main-universitaeten.de/en/rmu-postdoc-career-weeks-2026

✨ Postdocs at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt: ready to turn your research idea into your next big career step? The Fokus program is designed for outstanding postdocs within six years of completing their PhD who are preparing an independent external funding application based on an innovative research idea.

This is more than funding support. It is an opportunity to build momentum toward academic independence and strengthen your profile as an emerging research leader. With Fokus, you receive:
🔹 A hands-on grant writing workshop
🔹 Flexible research funding of up to €10,000 (up to €20,000 in justified cases)
🔹 Dedicated guidance from an experienced academic mentor

What this can mean for your career:
✔️ Space and resources to sharpen your project idea
✔️ Stronger positioning for competitive funding opportunities
✔️ Increased visibility and a clear signal of your future research independence

The goal: submit your own third-party funding proposal within 12 months and take a decisive step toward building your independent academic career.

📅 Application deadline: 16 July 2026
📩 Apply via: [email protected]
👉 Further information: https://www.grade.goethe-university-frankfurt.de/66410825/Early_Career_Researchers_in_Focus_engl?

If you are developing an ambitious research project and planning your next move, this could be the right moment to invest in it 🪴

🚀 𝗣𝗿𝗶𝗼𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘇𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗯𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿! 🚀

This year, two interactive mental health workshops are part of the RMU Postdoc Career Weeks – designed to help you thrive, not just survive, in academia.

Whether you’re aiming for tenure, industry, or something in between – your mental health is your greatest asset.

🧘‍♀️ 𝗠𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗶𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗮 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗴𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲
Learn practical strategies to manage stress, overcome perfectionism, and build self-compassion – all while navigating the academic marathon.
📅 Tuesday, June 9 | 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm CEST | online (workshop held in English)
👉 Register here: https://eveeno.com/200248168 (registration deadline: 1 June 2026)

🧠 𝗚𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝗹𝗲𝗶𝗯𝗲𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗲𝗻𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗮𝗳𝘁: 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗲 𝗚𝗲𝘀𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗵𝗲𝗶𝘁 𝗲𝗿𝗵𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘂𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘇 𝘀𝘁𝗮̈𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗻
Tauchen Sie ein in Themen wie psychische Belastbarkeit, Stressbewältigung und emotionale Stabilität – mit der Möglichkeit, sich in einem unterstützenden und geschützten Umfeld mit anderen Forschenden auszutauschen.
📅 Thursday, 11 June | 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm CEST | online (workshop held in German)
👉 Register here: https://eveeno.com/256926306 (Frist: 25. Mai 2026)

Both workshops are limited in capacity – secure your spot early!

Full program & registration: https://www.rhein-main-universitaeten.de/en/rmu-postdoc-career-weeks-2026

💡 The RMU Postdoc Career Weeks are aimed at Early Career Researchers at the Rhine-Main-Universities Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz and Technische Universität Darmstadt, their partner alliances Unite! University Network for Innovation, Technology and Engineering! and FORTHEM Alliance and all others interested in research and career opportunities within the RMU.

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💼 Der Weg zur Professur bringt viele neue Fragen mit sich – insbesondere rund um Berufungsverhandlungen: Was kann verhandelt werden? Was ist üblich? Und worauf sollte man achten?

Die GEW Hessen bietet hierfür ab sofort ein neues Beratungsangebot für ihre Mitglieder an: Unterstützung und gewerkschaftliche Beratung bei Berufungsverhandlungen im Zuge eines Rufs auf eine Professur.

🎯Das Angebot richtet sich insbesondere an Wissenschaftler*innen in der Postdoc-Phase, die sich auf den nächsten Karriereschritt vorbereiten und sich über Rahmenbedingungen, Verhandlungsmöglichkeiten und Erfahrungswerte informieren möchten.

👉 Interessierte GEW-Mitglieder können sich mit ihren Fragen direkt an [email protected] wenden und werden an erfahrene Kolleg*innen vermittelt.

🔗 Weitere Informationen bei der GEW Hessen:

Gewerkschaftliche Beratung bei der Berufung auf eine Professur GEW Hessen startet probeweise ab sofort mit einem neuen Beratungsangebot

🏙️ Discover Frankfurt: Guided Visit to the Historisches Museum Frankfurt 🏛️✨

Join us for a special visit to the Historisches Museum Frankfurt and explore the rich history of , from medieval times to the present day. The guided tour in English offers fascinating insights into the city’s development, culture and identity.

📅 Date: May 2

🕚 Meeting point: 10:50 AM in front of the museum

🎧 Guided tour starts: 11:00 AM

📍 Location: Saalhof 1, Frankfurt (Römerberg / Main riverbank)

💬 Language: English

🎟️ Participation is free of charge

The event is part of the PhD Activities & Excursions by the Goethe Welcome Centre at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt.

📩 Please note that places are limited to 25 participants. Kindly register by April 29 via email to: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there!

🚀 Calling all Postdocs & Early Career Researchers at Goethe-Universität Frankfurt! 🚀

Looking to explore your next career step, expand your network, and gain valuable insights inside and outside academia? Don’t miss the RMU Postdoc Career Weeks!

✨ What to expect:
🔹 30 talks, discussions & workshops
🔹 Career paths in academia and beyond
🔹 Insights from established researchers & career experts
🔹 Skills development opportunities
🔹 Social & networking events to build lasting connections

👩‍🎓 Who can join?
Designed for researchers in the doctoral phase (R1), postdoctoral phase (R2), and qualification phase for professorship/equivalent (R3) from:
• Goethe University Frankfurt
• Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz
• TU Darmstadt

Researchers from partner alliances UNITE and FORTHEM, as well as other institutions interested in RMU opportunities, are also welcome.

💻 Most events are online via Zoom
📍 Some on-campus events take place in Mainz

📝 Registration:
✔️ Open events: one registration for all open sessions
✔️ Closed events (workshops/social events): separate registration required, limited places available

🎯 Participation is free, but spaces are limited — register early!

Learn more: https://www.rhein-main-universitaeten.de/rmu-postdoc-career-weeks-2026

🏛️ Discover the History of Campus Westend – Guided Tour for International Researchers & Staff

Did you know that Alois Alzheimer made his groundbreaking discovery on today’s Campus Westend? Or that the iconic main building was originally commissioned by one of the world’s largest chemical trusts of its time and later served as the headquarters of the US Army in Germany after World War II? These and many more fascinating stories await you during a special guided campus tour.

This event is proudly organized and hosted by our colleagues from the Welcome Centre of Goethe-Universität Frankfurt, who warmly invite all interested members of the university community to join.

📅 23 April 2026

🕒 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

📍 Goethe University Frankfurt

Whether you are new to the university or would simply like to learn more about the remarkable history of one of Germany’s most beautiful campuses, this is a wonderful opportunity to connect, explore, and discover.

📩 Registration: [email protected]

We look forward to seeing you there!