Call for applications IZKF-PostDoc-Programme

Dear PostDocs of the Faculty of Medicine,
Dear Professor,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Please find enclosed the first call for applications for the newly established IZKF PostDoc-Programme. Applications from postdocs at the Faculty of Medicine can be submitted to the IZKF for the first round of calls until 30.11.2024. Please forward this call to suitable young scientists at your institutions.


Background and aims of the programme

While the Clinician Scientist Programmes provide adequate further training opportunities for clinically active scientists, there is no comparable, specialized career-promoting programme for natural scientists with a doctorate who are in an early but pioneering phase of their career.

A PostDoc programme is to be set up that is specifically designed to support and promote academic careers immediately after the doctorate. This programme not only focuses on specialist training, but also offers a package of mentoring, coaching, targeted networking opportunities and strategic career development. With its focus on career-promoting measures towards academic independence, it clearly distinguishes itself from existing initiatives such as Life@FAU.

Our aim is to create a platform that prepares postdocs for the challenges of an academic career and allows them to make important contacts and thus strengthen their position in the scientific environment of the Faculty of Medicine. The participants’ own active involvement is also a prerequisite for success.

The aims of the programme are as follows

  • Promotion of career development from doctorate to academic independence (e.g. habilitation/professorship)
  • Development of leadership skills
  • Communication and networking through the organization of joint meetings, mailing lists and working groups


Application requirements

An application via the IZKF application tool (FlexAP) is required for admission to the programme.

Eligible applicants are

  • Scientists (not physicians: a comparable programme is already available to them with the Clinician Scientist Programme) with a completed doctorate from clinics, institutes and departments of the entire Faculty of Medicine (submission of doctoral certificate)
  • who can provide evidence of at least 1 original publication as first author in a respected peer-reviewed journal,
  • who are working on their own research project
  • and whose own contract has at least 12 months to run (state current end of contract)

The programme is aimed in particular at postdoctoral researchers in an early career phase. In principle, no candidates can be accepted who have already been in the habilitation process for more than two years or for whom the interim evaluation by the specialist mentorate has already taken place.


Application documents

  • Written application for participation in the programme/letter of motivation and indication of the contract period (please on letterhead with signature)
  • Proof of completed doctorate
  • Curriculum vitae/research profile incl. list of publications (at least one original publication as first author in a renowned peer-reviewed journal should be available). Please use the template. 
  • Abstract of the research project and already established methods (will be presented on a platform of the programme for generating collaborations, 1-2 pages)
  • Reference/letter of support from the head of the institution (clinic, institute, department)
  • The application documents must be submitted in English.


Selection procedure

A formal examination of the applications will take place. If the number of applicants exceeds the number of places available on the programme, the IZKF will make a selection.


Programme duration

The program is scheduled to start on 01.01.2025. The active phase of the programme covers a period of 18 months, after which further participation in network meetings etc. is possible as an associate member.


Programme modules

Module Description/ Requirements
Mentoring At least 1 mentor with the right to award doctorates, usually selected from among the IZKF members at the start of the project
Meetings The meetings should take place at least every 2 months and be organized by the spokesperson of the programme. The participants are responsible for designing the programme.
Subject-specific and interdisciplinary further training Seminar programme on career-relevant topics, such as research funding, leadership skills in everyday clinical and scientific work, time and resource management, publication strategies or scientific communication


Active participation is a prerequisite. It is not planned to keep a study book or similar.

 

Kind regards

Prof. Dr. M. Wegner
Vorsitzender des IZKF

 

Contact:
Anne Reichel
IZKF Administrative Office
Telefon 09131/ 85-46843
Fax 09131/ 85-35903
anne.reichel@uk-erlangen.de
www.izkf.med.fau.de