“We’re the central point of contact for PhD candidates, postdocs, and their supervisors,” explains team member and ECAS deputy head Barbara Plunien. “Our work is diverse: We offer workshops, career counseling, and create opportunities for exchange and networking."
A key component is the PhD Training Program, which is specifically tailored to the needs of PhD candidates. It includes both mandatory and optional workshops, ranging from communication and presentation training to time and project management and career orientation. In addition, participants can attend courses on topics such as mental health, networking, or negotiation strategies. The workshops are offered in close collaboration with the Scientific Writing and Presentation (SWAP) team at CISPA.
A special highlight for newcomers to CISPA are the PhD Kickoff Days which are held twice a year. These events provide new PhD candidates with essential information about internal points of contact, the center as a whole, and topics such as good scientific practice, intercultural collaboration, and research ethics. “The Kickoff Days are often the first contact between our team and the Phd candidates,” says Isabel Keller, head of the ECAS team. “Various departments introduce themselves, and participants gain an initial overview of topics relevant to pursuing a PhD at CISPA.”
Career development is another central focus. Within the framework of four career tracks—Academia, Public Sector, Private Sector, and Entrepreneurship—external experts offer insights into possible career paths. “Sometimes representatives from governmental institutions or companies share their experiences, at other times, the focus is on strategic career planning within academia,” Barbara explains.
The team also offers individual consultations. “We’re not a psychological counseling service,” Isabel emphasizes, “but we listen, provide support with everyday challenges, and refer people to the right services when necessary.” An important aspect of their work is recognizing the diversity of the PhD community. “Our PhD candidates come from very different cultural backgrounds. That’s a tremendous asset, but it can also pose challenges,” Barbara adds. “We aim to raise awareness of these issues and foster intercultural competencies.”
Barbara recalls the first PhD and postdoc retreat organized by ECAS with particular enthusiasm: “It was wonderful to see so many PhD candidates and postdocs coming together and engaging beyond their research groups.” In addition to expert talks academic presentations, the event included playful formats and valuable networking opportunities.
Isabel summarizes her motivation for her multifaceted role: “I know from my own experience what it’s like to pursue a PhD. For me, it’s deeply meaningful to support Phd candidates and postdocs in developing their skills and planning their careers as well as to explore possible paths together.”
In this way, the ECAS team at CISPA builds bridges between research and administration, strengthens early-career researchers during a crucial phase, and helps ensure that PhD candidates and postdocs not only conduct successful research but also grow and thrive in the long term.
