According to a study by the Federal Statistical Office, 85% of doctoral graduates do not remain in the academic system and pursue non-academic careers. But which skills and characteristics are actually helpful for getting on well in these careers, finding your way and performing accordingly? 

Classic academic training at universities and non-university research institutions rarely leads to these career paths and many questions about personal and professional suitability and potential remain unanswered. In the new series “TUC-PostDoc PRAXIS online”, various scientists with doctorates have their say and report from practice. 

The series is a joint offer by graduate institutions at the Leuphana University of Lüneburg, the University of Münster, the TU Clausthal and the Leipzig Science Network -.

Next Sessions:

Tuesday, 5 May 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., (in English) online via Zoom (link provided after registration)
Alumni Talk: From Academia to Industry (Friedrich Schiller University Jena)

Are you thinking about leaving academia after completing your PhD or postdoc? You are not alone. The majority of PhD candidates do not stay in academia for their entire career. In this talk, three STEM alumni, who have successfully transitioned from academia to a career in industry, will share their experiences. They will give valuable advice on job hunting and application processes, career development and working outside of academia.
Language: English; Organiser: Jena Graduate Academy, Contact person: Gabi Schopf (gabi.schopf@uni-jena.de)

Monday, 1 June 2026, 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., (in English), online via Zoom (link provided after registration)
Coffee conversation “special”: How to Write a Non-Academic CV

Trainer: Dr. Matthias Zach

This interactive talk offers advice on how to write a persuasive CV for non-academic job applications and also allows you to raise your relevant questions and concerns.

Aspects covered include:

• Relevant differences between applications in and outside academia
• How to read a job advertisement, and how to customize your application dossier
• How to organize the writing process
• How to design and structure the CV
• How to present competencies and fit in the CV

The login-link to this online event will be provided to registered participants a few days prior to the event. The talk takes place from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m.: please feel free to bring a suitable lunch! Dr. Matthias Zach counsels researchers and scientists on all relevant aspects of their careers, with a special emphasis on strategic communication.
 

Tuesday, 15 September 2026, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. (in English) online via Zoom (see link below)
“From postdoc to innovation: science meets entrepreneurship – a male and female founder report” (University Leipzig)

How do you make the transition from science to entrepreneurship? In this “coffee conversation”, two founders talk about their personal journeys between research, funding and start-up development – authentically, approachably and with plenty of room for questions.
To kick things off, Dr. Christian Sonnendecker, co-founder of ESTER Biotech, will talk about his current transitional phase: still employed at Leipzig university and funded by EXIST Research Transfer, his team is already working intensively on the spin-off. He will provide insights into how a scientific idea becomes a company – and what opportunities and challenges this transition holds.
A female founder (to be announced) will add to the perspective and show how one example for how female scientists are shaping their path to self-employment. The event offers scientists considering to leave academia, interested in founding or just in general the opportunity to talk directly to these two role models and ask their own questions.

Organizer: Akademische Personalentwicklung, Universität Leipzig, Contact person: Dr. Nicole Koburger (nicole.koburger@zv.uni-leibzig.de)

Meeting link: https://uni-leipzig.zoom-x.de/j/69202951761?pwd=2XCTM3YsDbJl4h9YvlNSFS1O2UZZbz.1, Meeting-ID: 692 0295 1761, Kenncode: 843895