Welcome to science – University of Stuttgart welcomes new early career researchers

A career in science is both exciting and challenging. The University of Stuttgart supports doctoral students and postdocs with a wide range of services that promote professional and personal development. This includes the Welcome Weeks: In a total of 13 workshops and lectures over the coming weeks, young scientists will gain insight into topics such as project management, good scientific practice, tips for overcoming writing barriers, open access, and more.

“With the Welcome Weeks, we aim to make it easier for young researchers to begin their journey at the University of Stuttgart or in a new career phase, to provide them with guidance, and to create opportunities for exchange and networking across disciplinary boundaries,” says Dr. Jürgen Hädrich, head of the GRADUS Graduate Academy, which launched the Welcome Weeks initiative. "The Welcome Weeks are aimed at both those who are completely new to academia and postdocs who are starting a new phase in their careers. Whether someone is new to Germany or Stuttgart or has already studied here at the university, the 13 workshops offer useful information for everyone," adds GRADUS consultant Dorothee Baur.

This year's Welcome Weeks kicked off on October 23 with a colorful networking event featuring a panel discussion, information fair, and hands-on activities. “Our society needs bright minds like yours to shape the future,” said Prof. Judith Tonhauser, Vice President for Early Career Researchers and Diversity, welcoming the participants. She encouraged the young researchers: "The University of Stuttgart offers you a wide range of support services. Find out what kind of support you need – and get in touch with us.”

After her speech, she handed the floor to five experienced doctoral researchers and postdocs: Doctoral candidates Miriam Chacón Mateos (Institute of Combustion and Power Plant Technology) and Lukas Vosse (Stuttgart Center for Simulation Science), postdoctoral researchers Dr. Maren Scheel (Institute of Aircraft Propulsion Systems) and Dr. Floriment Klinaku (Institute of Software Engineering), and doctoral researcher Amatus Beyer, chair of the doctoral researchers representative body DoKUS. They shared insights about their paths into academia and offered the newcomers valuable advice for the future.

In the “foyer of possibilities,” participants had the opportunity to get to know the university better: 14 service facilities presented themselves and introduced their offerings for early career researchers. The consulting services ranged from research funding and entrepreneurship to personnel issues and health topics.

Experiences were shared during speed-dating sessions with doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, while the “Ask a Professor” format offered participants a behind-the-scenes look at scientific work at the University of Stuttgart. Professors Monilola Olayioye (Institute of Cell Biology and Immunology), Michael Sedlmair (Institute of Visualization and Interactive Systems), and Frank Allgöwer (Institute for Systems Theory and Automatic Control) answered questions from the audience.

Welcome Weeks 2025: Wide-ranging program throughout the semester
“Orientation, information, networking” is the motto of Welcome Weeks 2025. The series of events, organized by the GRADUS Graduate Academy, comprises a total of 13 workshops and lectures. Interested parties can attend individual workshops or participate in all of the offerings. Most of the events are held in English, so that international early career researchers can also benefit from the program.
An overview of the program