Career paths in research
In the early scientific career phase, career planning should be a conscious decision that is accompanied by realistic reflection on one's own opportunities, feedback and advice. For this reason, the UKE attaches great importance to promoting the early scientific career phases
For you as a researcher at the end of your doctoral phase and in the early postdoctoral phase, we offer targeted measures in the form of the EXPLORE, INTERACT and EXCEL modules to help you plan your career, regardless of whether you are aiming for a career in the academic sector or outside it. Our offers and orientation aids also refer to the extensive range of existing offers at other university institutions such as the Hamburg Research Academy (HRA).
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EXCEL
Depending on your career goal, EXCEL should refer you to suitable further training opportunities for your intended career path. The institutions listed below, in particular the Hamburg Research Academy (HRA), offer further targeted qualification formats.
EXPLORE
The aim of the EXPLORE series is to provide you with targeted information on possible career paths and to give you the opportunity to exchange ideas with representatives of specific professional fields. To this end, the Dean's Office offers an annual series of events on various job profiles. We would also like to refer you to other events with the same aim.
INTERACT
In the INTERACT series, activities are intended to support interdisciplinary networking between scientists in early career phases and with experienced researchers.
German courses for postdocs
If you’re a postdoc from abroad working at the UKE, you might be interested in improving your German language skills. To support you, the Dean’s office offers in-house German courses at various levels throughout the year. The courses run weekly for 6 to 12 weeks.
New courses are announced via channels such as the POM-newsletter, the research forum (Forschungsforum), the Dean’s office postdoc mailing list, and more.
In October 2026, new German courses at level A2, B1, and B2 will start. For further details please see below.
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Level A2
Course date: Thursdays, from 22 October 2026 - 21 January 2027 (12 sessions)
Course time: 4:30 pm to 6 pm
This German course at level A2 is aimed at international postdocs at the UKE who have prior knowledge of German. Participants will expand their German skills for everyday and professional life and have the opportunity to exchange ideas with other postdocs at the UKE.
Learning objectives: You will learn general communication skills in German and practice the four language skills — reading, writing, listening, and speaking — using an action-oriented approach. The course also gives you the opportunity to meet fellow postdocs and network with one another.
A textbook will be used during the course.
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Level B1
Course 1: Tuesdays, from 20 October 2026 - 26 November 2026
Course 2: Tuesdays, from 1 December 2026 - 19 January 2027
Course time: 4:30 pm to 6 pm
These two courses (each with 6 sessions) are aimed at postdocs who want to expand their German skills at level B1 in both speaking and writing. The courses have different content, but they do not build on each other. Therefore, it is possible to attend both courses or only one.
Topics - Course 1 (Oct - Nov)
- Introducing yourself and your work: speaking and writing
- Conducting conversations with colleagues: asking for information, offering help, arranging appointments
- Small talk and intercultural communication
- Review and application of relevant grammar
- Pronunciation and communication training
Topics - Course 2 (Dec - Jan)
- Workplace: vocabulary for workplaces, laboratories, clinics, and universities
- Communication with administration: understanding forms, writing emails, making phone calls
- Review and application of relevant grammar
- Pronunciation and communication training
The courses also give you the opportunity to meet fellow postdocs and network with one another.
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Level B2
Course 1: Tuesdays, from 20 October 2026 - 24 November 2026
Course 2: Tuesdays, from 1 December 2026 - 19 January 2027
Course time: 6:15 to 7:45 pm
These two courses (each with 6 sessions) are aimed at postdocs who want to expand their German skills at level B2 in both speaking and writing. The courses have different content, but they do not build on each other. Therefore, it is possible to attend both courses or only one.
Topics - Course 1 (Oct - Nov)
- Presenting research interests: introducing your research and answering questions
- Conducting professional discussions with colleagues
- Scientific vocabulary for everyday work at the UKE
- Reviewing and applying relevant grammar
- Pronunciation and communication training
Topics - Course 2 (Dec - Jan)
- Writing in a work context: professional emails; minutes/records
- Giving oral instructions: providing work instructions, guiding processes
- Talking about charts/diagrams
- Reviewing and applying relevant grammar
- Pronunciation and communication training
The courses also give you the opportunity to meet fellow postdocs and network with one another.
If you are interested in participating or if you have any further questions, please contact us .
Scientific Speed Dating - Networking meeting for young researchers
Are you:
- in search of new ideas, impulses and methods to include in your scientific work?
- in need of an expert for a certain scientific method or clinical issue?
- eager to present your skills and expertise? Would you like to: connect with fellow UKE researchers?
- expand your scientific network?
- head towards fruitful cooperations?
Then you should sign up for the Scientific Speed Dating event and get to know your fellow young researchers from various disciplines. Get in touch with each other in casual 7-minute chats and explore what the person opposite you is involved in scientifically or clinically. Take the time to enjoy a free pizza and you can figure out how to best connect your research and how your future work can benefit from your new contacts.
The next Scientific Speed Dating event will take place on Tuesday, 17 November 2026, from 5 to 7 pm. For further information and registration please contact us
The HRA offers female and male scientists target group-specific events and workshops to promote their scientific careers, opportunities for interdisciplinary qualification and pathways into other professional fields.
The ABK's offerings include courses on communication and personal development. Measures to promote teamwork, cooperation and networking, as well as knowledge of personal resources and development potential.
The department offers both individual and group formats for location positioning and career development.
Further information on the individual career paths
