Young Professors Programme (YPP)

The Young Professors Programme accompanies assistant professors and junior research group leaders on their individual career path and provides support in the areas of personal development and everyday professional life.

The programme helps early-career academics master the myriad challenges of their jobs and take the next important steps on their career path. Our aim is to provide flexible, needs-oriented support. All of our programmes and support measures can be used individually or in combination with one another.

  • Programmes

    • introductory meeting with the coordinator to get to know each other personally. During this meeting, we present our programme and discuss the qualifications you wish to achieve. The meeting also serves as orientation for newcomers to the University. For example, we take time to introduce you to various facilities and services that could potentially be useful to you.
    • one-to-one mentoring with experienced colleagues from the University of Münster
    • specific advanced training opportunities and an overview of all relevant continuing education courses, as well as personal counselling, if desired
    • networking opportunities with other assistant professors, junior research group leaders and other experts
    • straightforward, personalised advice and support at all times to help you find the right service offices and contacts at the University of Münster

  • Events

    Participants are free to attend any event individually and at no cost. You can sign up at any time on our Professional Training portal, and after attending the event, receive written confirmation of participation. If you need advice or are looking for solutions that better fit your requirements, please contact the coordinator at any time. Subject-specific events can also be organised, if desired.

    Our programme of professional training events include:

    • topic-specific events for programme participants, e.g. concerning interim evaluations
    • events on arriving at the University of Münster (onboarding programme for all first-time and newly appointed professors)
    • events on leadership in science other relevant topics for assistant professors and junior research group leaders, e.g. compatibility, diversity and science communication

    Specific networking events for programme participants are offered as needed, e.g. as a lunch with expert input and exchange. Opportunities for networking are also offered as part of the Onboarding of Professors event series. And every year we organise a networking event for former and current participants of the YPP mentoring programme.

  • Mentoring

    This is what you can expect from YPP mentoring:

    • individual one-to-one mentoring with a flexible starting point
    • duration: 1 year
    • mentoring meetings approximately every 4 to 6 weeks
    • professional support during the mentoring process (materials, individual counselling by the coordinator on request)
    • additional services: solution-oriented peer mentoring, workshops for mentors (exchange and consolidation of mentoring skills)
    • annual networking event YPP-Mentoring Meet & Eat for current and former mentees and mentors

    Would you like to become a mentee?

    If you're interested in finding a mentor, please contact the coordinator any time to arrange an appointment for an information meeting. After the meeting, you are free to decide whether you would like to participate. The coordinator is responsible for matching mentees with suitable mentors from different faculties at the University of Münster. After your first meeting and feedback from you and your potential mentor as to whether the collaboration can succeed, you decide together on the starting point for your one-to-one mentoring.

    Would you like to become a mentor?

    • You can take advantage of opportunities to reflect on and expand your mentoring skills (materials, advice, networking, workshops).

    • You pass on your experience to young professors.

    • You will only be asked to be a mentor if your profile matches the topics and goals of a mentee.

    • You focus on one-to-one mentoring (no supporting programme).

    • You plan your mentoring in a targeted manner (duration 1 year, individual starting point).

    • You can take advantage of opportunities to reflect on and expand your mentoring skills (materials, advice, networking, workshops).

    If you have any questions or would like to arrange an appointment for an informational meeting, please feel free to contact the coordinator at any time. 

    We regard Young Professors Programme mentoring as an individual learning process with the following basic requirements:

    • Both mentee and mentor are independent of each other (no evaluation, no employment relationship).
    • Both take part voluntarily.
    • All goals and expectations are outlined in a transparent manner.
    • The collaboration is characterised by mutual goodwill, respect and confidentiality.

  • Other important support offices

    Counselling service for staff and management

    Dual Career Service

    International Office Welcome Center

    SAFIR Research Funding Support

    Family Service Office

    Centre for Teaching in Higher Education