Core Event: Career Day for Doctoral Researchers

Next Career Day: 29 January, 2026

Registration: Click here! To register, you will need an account in the booking software of Humboldt Graduate School (OpenCampus).

Venue: Humboldt Graduate School, Luisenstr. 56, 10117 Berlin-Mitte 

Livestream: Large parts of the event (marked with a * above) will be streamed. The link will be published here. The stream will be accessible without registration.

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Program

• 09:00 Welcome Note I (organizing team) *
• 09:05 Welcome Note II: "On Academic and Non-Academic Careers" (Sabine Hunke)
• 09:15 Talk: “The view for Internationals – careers paths inside and outside academia” (Philippa Cook) *
• 10:00 Panel Discussion: "Artificial Intelligence" *

AI is not just for coders. In this panel, professionals from research, startups and large companies, ranging from AI engineers to product owners, share how they entered the field and what their day-to-day work looks like. Discover how people with and without a computer science background can find their own path in the fast-evolving world of artificial intelligence.

• 10:00 Panel Discussion: "Academia" 

You want to stay in academia but are not sure about the next steps? Then come and join us to learn more about career paths in academia. Whether you plan to continue your research at a university or at a research institution: Here you will get insight into key steps to pursue an academic career and explore possible chances and challenges of this career path. Apart from the valuable advice you will receive from the speakers, you will also learn how to transfer your academic skills to the job market.

• 11:30 Panel Discussion: "Industry & Startups" *

How can today’s doctoral researchers turn their research expertise into real-world innovation? This panel explores the growing opportunities for PhD students to build the entrepreneurial and industry-ready skills needed to launch startups, drive innovation, and transition confidently into industry careers. Join founders, academics turned entrepreneurs, as they share practical insights on navigating the journey from academic research to market-ready impact. From identifying commercial potential in your work to gaining the right skills, networks, and mindset, this session highlights the pathways that empower doctoral students to shape the future—both inside and beyond academia. Discover how your PhD can become your competitive advantage.

• 11:30 Panel Discussion: "Research Management" 

Science management is the bridge that connects research with the real world, linking academia, industry, and policy to drive innovation. In this panel, hear from experts both inside and outside of academia who navigate these connections, turning ideas into impactful solutions. Learn not only how science management plays a key role in shaping the future of research but also the pathways you can take to enter this dynamic field — all without being in the lab.

• 12:30 Info Corner: M.Sc. Wissenschaftsmanagement, TU Berlin | Young Entrepreneurs in Science | Transfer & Startup Support in the Universities, including Humboldt Innovation, Science and Startups
• 13:30 Panel Discussion: "Teaching" *

Academics are experts in their field, and more often then never they teach others about it. Many have taught and graded bachelor students. Thus, teaching practice is familiar to quite a few doctoral students already. This panel presents careers in which teaching is the clear focus. Speakers represent three different sectors: One has become a high school teacher after several years as a postdoc. Others are still working at universities, but not in research roles: One is a freelance trainer for critical reasoning and logic and as such is booked for workshops across disciplines, and one has an unlimited contract as an English teacher at a university of applied sciences.

• 13:30 Panel Discussion: "Communication"

Journalists, editors, and professional communicators turn complex ideas into compelling stories for the public. Without knowledge transfer, the gap between research and the world it aims to improve only widens. At our panel on science communication, we’ll explore how academic expertise can thrive outside the institutional sphere. Learn how your scientific background can open doors in publishing and media!

• 13:30 Panel Discussion: "Policy Advising & Freelance Speaking"

Want to turn your PhD expertise into real-world impact? Join our panel on Policy Advising and Freelance Speaking to hear from researchers who transformed their academic training into influential careers. From shaping public debates, advising decision-makers, to building an independent profile. Hear about their daily work, the paths that led them there, and get inspired for your own.

• 15:00 Talk: "Pitch Perfect: Writing Application Documents with Your Audience in Mind" (Birte Seffert) *
• 15:45 Wrap-Up
• Whole day: Short Individual Career Counseling Sessions (BUA Network Career Counselling) - slots will be allocated before the event 

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Career Day - General Information 

Organizers

A group of doctoral researchers co-organizes the Career Day under the professional supervision of Humboldt Graduate School. The Career Day was established by Humboldt Graduate School in 2014, and since 2020 has been a part of Graduate Studies Support Program at Berlin University Alliance.

Objective: Get to Know Professional Career Paths!

The Career Day is an annual event organized by the Berlin University Alliance. It is designed for doctoral candidates in Berlin who are looking to expand their horizons and learn about the various career options available to them. It is an excellent opportunity for doctoral candidates in Berlin to explore future perspectives and meet exciting guests.

Whether you’re looking to pursue a career in academia or outside the academic world, the Career Day offers a chance to connect with individuals who have chosen these paths and can provide valuable insights into the different paths available to you.

Participants

We welcome doctoral students from all research fields. It is organized by the Graduate Studies Support Program of Berlin University Alliance.

Free of Charge

The Career Day is free of charge for all doctoral researchers. Every registered participant is welcome to join lectures and panel discussions and to register for career counselings. 

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Retrospective

Career Day 2025: 

The program included panels on academia, science management, communication, consulting, policy making, patent law, and startups. In addition, a large number of participants checked in for sessions on career consulting and CV checks.

The Career Day 2025 was organized by Karolin Sengebusch (Humboldt Graduate School) and a team of doctoral researchers: Anita Kowalczyk, Edyta Motta, Julia Ablle de Freitas Sampaio, Mary Makyao, Sefine Oksal Kilinc.

Career Day 2024: Event page 2024 at Humboldt Graduate School

Career Day 2023: Event page 2023 at Humboldt Graduate School