Through the PACT Center, various mentoring programs are available to postdoctoral scientists at GEOMAR. These differ in target group, objectives and duration.
The GEOMAR Buddy Program is aimed at postdocs and associated scientists who would like to act as mentors and support doctoral scientists.
The Buddy Advanced Program is a new mentoring program developed especially for postdocs at GEOMAR. It offers postdocs the opportunity to benefit from the valuable experience of experienced colleagues and to receive targeted support for their professional development.
COMPASS is a mentoring program for postdocs and science managers (e.g., project coordinators) ready to engage in strategic career building and decision making. The program is a cooperation of the seven Helmholtz Centres in the research field Earth & Environment. The entire program will be conducted in English.
The via:mento and via:mento_international mentoring programs at Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel are aimed at female scientists who wish to pursue an academic career after successfully completing their doctorate.
GEOMAR Buddy Program
GEOMAR Buddy Program
The GEOMAR Buddy Program is designed for postdoctoral scientists who wish to mentor and support doctoral scientists while enhancing their skills and advancing their own careers through this experience.
Duration: October 2024 - March 2025, can be extended by mutual agreement
Effort: four one-hour mentoring sessions between mentors and mentees
02.10.2024: Buddy Day
09:30 - 11:00: Introductory Workshop for Mentors with Dr. Steve Hutchinson
11:15 - 12:15: Introductory Workshop for Mentees with Dr. Steve Hutchinson
12:30 - 13:15: Speed Dating for matching of mentor-mentee pairs
Support Sessions with Steve Hutchinson (dates to be announced)
Duration: October 2025 - March 2026, can be extended by mutual agreement
Effort: four one-hour mentoring sessions between mentors and mentees
26.09.2025: Buddy Day with introductory workshops for mentors and mentees
09:30 - 11:00: Introductory Workshop for Mentors with Dr. Steve Hutchinson
11:15 - 12:15: Introductory Workshop for Mentees with Dr. Steve Hutchinson
12:30 - 13:30: Speed Dating for matching of mentor-mentee pairs
Support sessions with Steve Hutchinson (as needed)
As mentees doctoral researchers will receive support in getting to know the research environment, identifying their objectives, and finding the best ways to pursue their personal and professional growth to make the most out of their time at GEOMAR.
Benefits for mentees
They are empowered and supported by respected members of the GEOMAR community in developing their potential.
It increases confidence in their work and future possibilities.
It gives them a greater awareness of their environment and current place.
It exposes them to new ideas and ways of thinking.
It helps them become more capable and effective decisionmakers.
It provides them with new strategies for dealing with personal and academic backlashes.
It expands their network.
Download the information sheet for the GEOMAR Buddy Program here!
GEOMAR Postdocs and associated researchers help doctoral researchers to become part of Team GEOMAR. They ensure them a smooth and productive experience during this challenging time of their research life.
Ideally, mentors devote time to at least one mentee (2 are possible); therefore, their commitment to the program will be at least 4 hours per six months plus individual time for regular supervision sessions.
Benefits for Mentors
They train their skills as a supervisor: they gain first handson experience without having the full responsibility of a doctoral thesis project supervision.
They can exercise new ways of giving constructive feedback.
They can improve and diversify their communication and personal skills.
They create and establish new connections within GEOMAR.
They are exposed to new approaches and perspectives.
It can encourage them to renew ideas and perceptions of their leadership role.
An official certificate of the mentorship activity will enrich their CV portfolio and highlight their leadership skills.
Download the information sheet for the GEOMAR Buddy Program here!
This is the link to register for the next round of the Buddy Program and the accompanying workshops on 02.10.2024. If you do not have time on the day, but would still like to participate in the Buddy Program, please let us know by email.
The Buddy Advanced Mentoring Program is designed for postdocs in the early to mid-career stage who are seeking tailored support for their personal and professional development and wish to benefit from the experiences of more experienced colleagues.
Mentors: Experienced scientists (more than 6 years after PhD), data scientists, science and project managers
Mentees: Postdocs
Duration: 6 months from the individual start date, with the possibility of extension by mutual agreement.
Commitment: at least 4 mentoring sessions of 1 hour each between mentor and mentee
Note: The pilot phase of the mentoring program started in autumn 2024. Interested mentors can register at any time to join the "Pool of Mentors" – either via the registration page or by email at pact@geomar.de. Postdocs can continuously register based on their interest or needs and will be matched with a mentor according to their selected preferences. Mentoring relationships can be initiated flexibly and individually at any time.
Interested mentors will first be gathered in a Pool of Mentors. Mentees (postdocs) will then be matched with a mentor from this pool based on their individually selected topics and interests. There should be no personal or professional connections between the mentor and mentee. A brief introductory meeting will take place at the beginning to ensure the fit is right – if not, we will find a new match together. If a sufficient number of mentees register for the pilot phase, we will organize a speed-dating event to facilitate and accelerate the matching process.
If you have any questions, please contact pact@geomar.de.
COMPASS Mentoring Program
COMPASS Mentoring Program
The COMPASS Mentoring Program provides support in active and goal-oriented career development for postdoctoral researchers and science managers (e.g., project coordinators). Participants are guided in creating their individual career strategy and in acitvely finding their own mentor.
Mentors can come from multiple professional fields, from academia as well as the industry, from public authorities or the non-profit sector.
An overview sheet with further information is available for download here.
Join the Q&A Session for the COMPASS Mentoring Program. Ask us your questions about the mentoring program and gain valuable insights from mentees of the previous cohort. Don’t miss out!
As a mentee of the COMPASS Mentoring program you will be supported in your active and goal-oriented career development. A framework program is specifically tailored to career situations in science and science management. The experts running the program will guide you to find a fitting mentor for your individual concerns. Mentors can come from any field, academia as well as the private sector, public authorities or the non-profit sector. Furthermore,you will have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with others at various events.
Mentees have to invest time and energy in the mentee-mentor relationship and in the program and need a contract for at least 12 months during the program period. Furthermore your leader/PI must has been informed and consents.
Download the information sheet for COMPASS mentees here.
As a mentor you support the mentees with your experience and knowledge to take their next career steps.
What is a mentor?
Someone who passes on their professional knowledge or experiential knowledge. COMPASS mentors can come from all professional fields, e.g. private sector, public authorities, the non-profit sector, freelancers and more.
A mentor…
invests time and attention for their mentee.
engages with the mentee's concerns and contribute to their self-exploration.
provides feedback on plans and goals, addresses risks and encourages the mentee to share their own experiences.
shares their experiential knowledge and makes implicit knowledge transparent
The program intents the participation of the mentors in one online workshop and 3 - 6 meetings with their mentees.
Download the information sheet for COMPASS mentors here.
The program is open to a maximum of 24 participants from 10 Helmholtz Centres. Three places are available for GEOMAR.
To apply for the program you need to fill in an application form and answer some guiding questions in Lime Survey until October 11, 2024.
The costs for the program will be covered by the PACT Postdoc Center (1700 €). Travel expenses need to be covered by the mentee's research division (ca. 600 €). Please, check with your PI in advance.
PACT Postdoc Center GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel Wischhofstr. 1-3 Building 5, Room 4.118/4.119 24148 Kiel Germany
Dr. Christel van den Bogaard Head of PACT Phone: 0431-600-2647 Email: cbogaard(at)geomar.de
Dr. Maren Wanke Phone: 0431-600-2620 Email: mwanke(at)geomar.de
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