In order to optimize the support it offers to early-career academics, the University of Bremen has expanded its former “ProUB” graduate center and given it a new name: It is now called BYRD, which stands for Bremen Early Career Researcher Development. “BYRD builds on the successful work of the ProUB Graduate Center formed by the University in 2010”, explained the Professor Andreas Breiter, Vice President Research, at this week’s opening event. ProUB was supported in the frame of the Excellence Initiative. BYRD is a service provider for all the graduate schools, research training groups and support units for early-career researchers at the University of Bremen.
So what’s new?
Besides offers for Ph.D. candidates, BYRD maintains its own program for postdocs at all stages of their careers – from their doctorate up to their first professorial appointment. BYRD is therefore the main contact point for Ph.D. candidates and postdocs as well as more established early-career academics. Its offers of training, networking, information and counseling in the form of workshops, individual coaching, and seminars are free of charge.
Opening up non-university career prospects
Early-career academics are increasingly opting for careers outside academia, and the support offered to them while still at the University must take this into account. There therefore has to be a new focus on preparing them for jobs in the economy and public service. As Vice President Breiter explains, “Most university graduates won’t stay in academia so we have to train them for other areas of employment”. It is important to sensitize them for jobs outside university teaching and research. In addition to this, BYRD will enhance the international visibility of the University of Bremen and make it more attractive for young international academics. Professor Breiter points out that it is also important to offer support to their supervisors. “After all, professors also need opportunities to talk to people about their work”.
Senator praises the promotion of young academics at the University
At the BYRD opening event, Bremen’s Senator for Science, Professor Eva Quante-Brandt, said: “The University of Bremen has a long and successful tradition of promoting young talent.” For instance, several years ago it was among the first German universities to establish the junior professorship. The University’s central research development has for many years also been providing targeted support for early-career academics. “All of you here are doing a great job”, said Senator Quante-Brandt.
Register for workshops now!
There is still time for postdocs to register for some of the BYRD workshops which will start in August. The topics dealt with include training for job-applications in the private sector (market analysis, self-presentation, C.V. feedback), science journalism, and peer counseling for postdocs. Online registration and information under www.uni-bremen.de/byrd/veranstaltungen.
You can find more information about BYRD under www.uni-bremen.de/byrd
If you would still like to have more information on this topic, feel free to contact:
University of Bremen
Staff Unit 12 – Research and Young Academics
Dr. Julia Sievers (Unit Leader)
Phone: +049-421 218-60320
email: jsieversprotect me ?!vw.uni-bremenprotect me ?!.de
