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Target group

  • Doctoral researchers
  • ​Academic staff interested in doing a doctorate but have not yet started
  • Students considering a doctorate

The Doctoral Researchers’ Day is aimed at individuals from all disciplines and experience levels within the doctoral career phase.

Doctoral Researchers' Day 2025

A Day for Networking, Orientation, and Exchange

On June 26, 2025, the first Doctoral Researchers' Day took place at Bielefeld University – organized by GrACe | Graduate Centre. The positive feedback from participants made it clear: the event was perceived as an inspiring and valuable opportunity for information, personal orientation, and interdisciplinary exchange.

The event targeted both prospective doctoral candidates and current doctoral researchers at various stages of their academic journey – and the concept proved successful. During the opening remarks by Vice-Rector Prof. Dr. Dario Anselmetti, the great interest in this new format was immediately apparent. An initial informal networking session set the tone, enabling participants to connect across faculty boundaries and laying the groundwork for a dynamic and informative day.

Thank you to all who joined and supported us - see you again in 2026!

About the day

Info Sessions

Parallel Info Sessions with Diverse Topics

A series of info sessions offered a wide range of content tailored to the needs and interests of the participants.
In the morning, the session “A PhD – the right thing for me?” provided an overview of the framework for doctoral studies at Bielefeld University, focusing on first steps, decision-making support, and possible entry paths.
The session “PhD Life in Balance” presented key findings on the mental health of doctoral researchers based on Bielefeld University’s survey data. Participants discussed common stress factors during the doctoral process and explored preventive strategies.
The third morning session, “Career Paths at the University: What’s in that Black Box?”, offered in-depth insights into academic career trajectories.
In the afternoon, three additional parallel sessions addressed practical questions related to the doctoral journey and future career planning.
The session “How to Finance Your PhD” gave a comprehensive overview of funding options.
“Skills for the Non-Academic Job Market” highlighted essential competencies developed during the doctoral phase and how to leverage them for careers beyond academia.
In “Teaching Hacks & Habits,” participants explored the challenges of teaching responsibilities during the doctorate. The session provided hands-on didactic strategies to help balance research, teaching, and other academic roles effectively.

Info Fair & Lunch Break

A highlight of the day was the Info Fair held at midday in the Student Services Center. Various doctoral programmes and science-supporting services presented their offerings, providing ample opportunities for informal exchange and one-on-one consultations - all accompanied by a light lunch in a relaxed setting.

Panel Discussion with the Rector to Conclude the Day

The event concluded with a panel discussion titled “Pathways in Academia”, where researchers shared personal career stories in conversation with Rector Prof. Dr. Angelika Epple, offering authentic insights into academic life and professional development.

Positive Feedback

The strong participation and overwhelmingly positive feedback encourage us to continue and further develop the format next year. Building on this year’s success, we aim to integrate new topics and once again create a day that opens up diverse spaces for connection, information, and personal growth.

Impressions of the Doctoral Researchers' Day on June 26th, 2025

  • Flyer Doctoral Researcher's Day 2025.
    © Universität Bielefeld
  • Casual conversation between two people.
    © Universität Bielefeld
  • Frontal view of the “Health Management” stand with three representatives.
    © Universität Bielefeld
  • Consultation situation at the “Doctoral Program” stand.
    © Universität Bielefeld
  • Bird's eye view from the BiSEd Graduate Network stand.
    © Universität Bielefeld
  • Semi-close view of the ZLL stand with three representatives.
    © Universität Bielefeld
  • Counseling situation at a stand.
    © Universität Bielefeld
  • Half close-up of two ZLL representatives with university didactic offers.
    © Universität Bielefeld
  • Oblique overhead view of the GrACe (Graduate Center) table stand with give-aways such as coffee mugs.
    © Universität Bielefeld
  • Half close-up of a representative of the BiSEd Graduate Network and a person to be advised.
    © Universität Bielefeld
  • Consultation situation at the stand “Doctoral Program”.
    © Universität Bielefeld
  • Half close-up of two representatives of the GrACe in front of their stand.
    © Universität Bielefeld

Programme & Info fair: participating institutions

Programme:

10:00 a.m. | S1-500 | Arrival and Registration
 

10:15 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. | S1-500 | Welcome (EN)

Prof. Dr. Dario Anselmetti, Vice-Rector for Education and Teaching, Bielefeld University
Carla Sauvigny-Wigge | Graduate Centre
 

10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | S1-500 | PhD Networking: Getting to know each other across disciplines (EN & DE)


11:15 a.m. - 12:15 a.m. | Parallel Info Sessions | Part I

  1. A PhD - the right thing for me? (EN) Room: S1-213
    An overview of the conditions, first steps, decision options and possible pathways of the doctorate process at Bielefeld University.
    Pia Ortwein | Graduate Centre
     
  2. PhD Life in Balance: Insights from the Bielefeld Questionnaires (EN) Room: B3-267
    This talk presents findings from the Bielefeld Questionnaires on Study and Working Conditions and Mental Health, shedding light on stressors and protective factors in the course of a doctorate, while also providing helpful support offers and contact points for (mental) health and well-being at Bielefeld University.
    Zita Deptolla, Mats Huwendiek | Health Management
     
  3. Career paths at the university: what‘s in that black box? (EN) Room: S1-500
    How do you get from PhD to professorship? Which skills will you need to develop, which players will you have to know? And is a professorship the only career option in science, anyway? An overview for navigating science in Bielefeld and Germany.
    Dr. Martina Pauli | GrACe | Centre for Advanced Researchers



​12:00 a.m. - 01:30 p.m. | Student Service Centre (UHG Gebäudeteil B Ebene 0) | Lunch break with an info fair featuring doctoral programmes and science-supporting services. (EN & DE)

 

01:30 p.m. – 02:30 p.m. | Parallel Info Sessions | Part II
 

4. How to finance your PhD (EN) Room: H15
An overview of the options for financing the doctoral process, from the traditional position as a research assistant to a full scholarship
Pia Ortwein | Graduate Centre
 

5. Keeping an eye on skills for the non-university job market during the doctoral phase (EN): Room: S1-500
Make the most of my time at university with the career service program. What skills can I acquire?
Dr. Julia Koppmann, Eva Osterloff | Career Service
 

6. Juggling multiple roles: Teaching hacks and habits for doctoral researchers (EN) Room: B3-267
In this session, we are acknowledging that doctoral researchers fulfil multiple roles alongside their research, one of the most prominent being the teacher role. We cast a light on the interplay of research and teaching roles and present basic didactic principles and teaching tips to ease teaching at the university.
Dr. Alessa Hillbrink, Dr. Gabriele Steuer | Center for Teaching and Learning (ZLL)

 

03:00 p.m. – 03:45 p.m. | H15 | Panel discussion with the rector Prof`in Dr. Angelika Epple: Pathways in Academia. Scholars in conversation about their career biographies. (EN)
Moderation: Dr. Ulf Ortmann | Graduate Centre


04:00 p.m. | End

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