Networks

Make new contacts

Networking is key for doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers. Interdisciplinary and subject-specific networks are just as useful as social ones, and one often leads to the other. We offer plenty of networking opportunities at FAU.

Networking events and programmes at FAU

FAUariadnementoring programmes

The FAUariadnementoring programmes are aimed at talented and motivated women who are interested in pursuing an academic career. Participants are allocated a suitable mentor, have access to many professional networking opportunities and are able to take part in a variety of events.

Further information

Meet-ups for doctoral candidates, mailing lists and student initiatives for specific subjects at FAU

Applied mathematics

Life sciences

Political Science

English, American and Anglophone Studies

Do you know of any other meet-ups that are not listed here? Please let us know so we can add them to the list.

Interdisciplinary meet-ups for doctoral candidates

Newcomers' Club at FAU's Faculty of Medicine

Are you a guest researcher or have you recently joined FAU or Universitätsklinikum Erlangen? Have you moved to the region with your partner? Would you like to get to know the region better and make contacts? Or perhaps you have been living here for a while and would like to help newcomers settle in? Then the Newcomers’ Club at FAU’s Faculty of Medicine is perfect for you.

FAU career talks – alternative career paths with a doctoral degree

The career talks on alternative career paths with a doctoral degree which are organised by Alumni Management, the Career Service and the Graduate Centre at FAU are held once or twice a year. You can find the date of the next talk on Young Academics at FAU, the Graduate Centre’s blog, and you can register for the event free of charge.

The speakers, who are all FAU alumni, explain the paths they have taken in careers outside of academia. They are very diverse and often unexpected. The talks are an interesting opportunity for doctoral candidates to learn about the wide range of different professions discussed. They also provide a chance to benefit from the alumni’s experience of topics such as applications, balancing an academic career with family life, and the importance of a doctoral degree for a career in industry. After the presentations there is an opportunity for doctoral candidates to talk to the alumni over a drink and a snack.

THESIS e.V.

THESIS e.V. is Germany’s only national interdisciplinary network for all those who are pursuing an academic career.

It is a network of over 600 doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers which organises a wide range of activities.

Contact: Atilla Karabag

Erlangen-Nürnberg branch of Gewerkschaft Erziehung und Wissenschaft (GEW)

https://www.gew-bayern.de/bezirks-und-kreisverbaende/mittelfranken/kreis-erlangen

Contact via e-mail

National and international networks for doctoral candidates

There are a range of national and international networks that can help you make and maintain contacts, and can be useful if you have questions related to your doctoral degree or your subject.

  • THESIS e.V. – interdisciplinary network for doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers
  • KISSWIN – information and consulting for academic careers
  • EURODOC – European Council of Doctoral Candidates
  • ResearchGATE – scientific network

Network for international doctoral candidates

Scholars at Risk Network

FAU has been a member of the Scholars at Risk Network (SAR) since the beginning of 2015. The network supports researchers who are put under political pressure, threatened or persecuted because of their research. Further information is available on the SAR websites.

Social activities programme for international doctoral candidates at FAU

Are you a guest researcher or have you recently joined FAU or Universitätsklinikum Erlangen? Have you moved to the region with your partner? Would you like to get to know the region better and make contacts? Or perhaps you have been living here for a while and would like to help newcomers settle in? You are welcome to join the Newcomers’ Club at FAU’s Faculty of Medicine

Networks supporting young researchers

UniWiND

The German University Association of Advanced Graduate Training (UniWiND/GUAT) is a network of currently 51 members who share a commitment to encouraging young researchers at their universities. UniWiND is dedicated to ensuring that doctoral candidates and scientists just starting out on their postdoctoral research enjoy the best possible training from the outset, giving them the best possible opportunities for future careers either at a university or another institution. FAU is a member of UniWiND, which offers doctoral candidates and postdoctoral researchers the option of attending a wide range of events at reduced rates for members.

BayAK

The ‘Arbeitskreis Nachwuchsförderung an bayerischen Universitäten’ (Working Group for Encouraging Young Talent at Bavarian Universities) (BayAK) is made up of representatives from central institutes responsible for graduates at Bavarian universities. The purpose of the working group is to provide networking opportunities and the chance to regularly discuss topics of relevance to young researchers. In addition, the working group hopes to boost the professionalism of research management, in particular as far as encouraging young researchers is concerned.