Take off with CERes: Give your (new) career phase a boost!

© CERes

Target group: doctoral and postdoctoral researchers

Information – Networking – Training

Are you at the beginning of your qualification phase as a doctoral or postdoctoral researcher at the University of Münster, or guiding someone on this journey? We would like to support you with the diverse programme of the CERes Take-Off Days!

This multi-day event offers a balanced mix of information, networking and hands-on workshops – both on-site and online and mainly in English. Thanks to its flexible structure, you can select and book the individual programme elements according to your needs and interests.

Take this opportunity to get to know the University of Münster and other doctoral and postdoctoral researchers as well as supervisors!

Detailed descriptions and objectives for each session may be found below.

Objectives:

  • A friendly welcome and better orientation for new doctoral and postdoctoral researchers 
  • Extending interdisciplinary networking  
  • Actively shaping a doctoral culture characterised by openness, curiosity and solidarity

Diese Veranstaltungsreihe findet in englischer Sprache statt. // This event series will be held in English.

  • Tue, 3 Nov 2026, 9:30–12:00 / Official welcome, keynote & discussion – Feedback ↔ Feedforward

    Target group: doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, (formal and informal) supervisors for doctoral researchers, mentors for postdocs

    Join us for a warm welcome to the CERes Take-off Days! Following an opening address and a brief introduction to university services, Dr Róisín Astell (University of York) will deliver an insightful talk on feedback in academia. This is complemented by a panel discussion on giving and receiving feedback from different perspectives, before participants continue the conversation in breakout sessions. Key insights will be shared in a final plenary session.

    Objectives:

    • A friendly welcome for (new) doctoral and postdoctoral researchers as well as supervisors

    • Learn about university services for early career researchers and supervisors

    • Reflect on different approaches to feedback in academic contexts

    Facilitators: CERes team
    Venue: Zoom

  • Wed, 4 Nov 2026, 10:00–13:00 / Jump-start your doctorate: The whats, whys and wheres on the way to the degree

    Target group: doctoral researchers

    This orientation workshop jump-starts your doctoral journey by offering clarity on the key stages and academic procedures involved in pursuing a doctorate. You’ll explore the ‘what’ and ‘why’ behind common crisis phases and exchange experiences and strategies that may help you navigate them. Together, we’ll take a closer look at factors that may be consuming the time you would prefer to dedicate to your research. The workshop also supports you in mapping out the ‘where’ – identifying helpful opportunities to develop the competencies you need to thrive as a researcher on your path to earning your degree.

    Objectives:

    • Outline the key stages and procedures of a doctorate
    • Identify common crisis phases that doctoral researchers typically experience
    • Analyse factors that may reduce the time available for doctoral research
    • Identify opportunities to develop generic competencies

    Facilitators: Dr Iva Ognjanovic, Sabine Schneider (CERes)
    Venue: CERes, Schlossplatz 6, room 001

  • Thu, 5 Nov 2026, 11:00–12:00 / Walk & Talk: Insights from experienced peers at the University of Münster

    Target group: doctoral and postdoctoral researchers

    This outdoor session invites you to learn from experienced peers while exploring both the opportunities and challenges of (post)doctoral research. Participants are encouraged to bring their own questions, engage in guided reflection, and gain practical insights into making the most of this phase at the University of Münster.

    Objectives:

    • Reflecting on individual expectations, concerns and plans regarding the doctoral/postdoctoral phase by engaging with more experienced peers
    • Building and strengthening cross-disciplinary networks

    Facilitators: Rebecca Meier, Sabine Schneider (CERes)
    Venue: CERes, Schlossplatz 6 (meeting point), Botanical Garden

  • Thu, 5 Nov 2026, 12:15–14:00 / Luncheon: Aligning expectations in research careers and supervision

    Target group: doctoral and postdoctoral researchers, (formal and informal) supervisors for doctoral researchers, mentors for postdocs

    This luncheon brings together supervisors, mentors, and doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to reflect on how expectations in research supervision can be clarified and aligned. Dr Helen Jäckel, the Next Generation Research SuperVision project coordinator, will introduce practical strategies for developing strong supervisory relationships. Building on this, Dr Iva Ognjanovic will facilitate conversations and interactive activities.

    Objectives:

    • Identify key expectations of both supervisors and supervisees, making implicit assumptions in research supervision explicit
    • Develop an understanding of ways to manage expectations and recognise the role of clear communication in supervisory contexts
    • Gain insights into methods for building rapport

    Facilitator: Dr Helen Jäckel, Dr Iva Ognjanovic (CERes)
    Venue: CERes, Schlossplatz 6, room 001 & 101
    Lunch and refreshments will be provided free of charge.

  • Fri, 6 Nov 2026, 9:00–12:00 / Navigating postdoc pathways: New roles, new career strategies?

    Target group: postdoctoral researchers, doctoral researchers transitioning into the postdoc phase

    This workshop supports you in navigating the transition from doctoral researcher to postdoc. Through guided self-reflection and interactive exercises, you will explore shifting roles, expectations, and opportunities within academia. You will leave with increased clarity and an individual career development strategy for your early postdoctoral career.

    Objectives:

    • Gain an overview of the overarching requirements for postdocs and the career opportunities available to them within the German academic system
    • Analyse their (academic) strengths and identify areas for growth
    • Create a personalised roadmap of next steps to plan their professional future

    Facilitator: Rebecca Meier (CERes)
    Venue: CERes, Schlossplatz 6, room 001

  • Fri, 6 Nov 2026, 14:00–16:00 / Essentials of doctoral supervision: roles and realities

    Target group: postdoctoral researchers and professors

    This workshop is designed for those new to doctoral supervision and offers a practical introduction to key roles, expectations, and realities. It provides an overview of relevant institutional structures, policies, and resources, as well as the broader national context of doctoral supervision.
    Through guided reflection and interactive exchange, participants will explore what constitutes effective supervision across different phases of the doctorate and consider their own role and experiences as supervisors. The workshop places particular emphasis on sharing perspectives with peers.

    Objectives:

    • Gain an overview of key institutional and national structures and resources related to doctoral supervision
    • Reflect on their role as a supervisor and analyse what constitutes effective supervision across different phases of the doctorate
    • Identify opportunities for further development and available support for supervisors and doctoral researchers

    Facilitator: Dr Helen Jäckel (CERes)
    Venue: CERes, Schlossplatz 6, room 001

Registration

If you would like to participate in this event and it is already marked as fully booked, you are welcome to join the waiting list. It often happens that registered participants cancel their attendance, which creates available spots. Free spots are allocated in the order of waiting list registrations. If spots become available within 72 hours before the event starts, we will notify several registrants simultaneously. These spots will then be allocated on a 'first come, first served' basis.