Getting started at TAM —
PhD in Marburg
Your guide to the most relevant services at Philipps-Universität Marburg and across TAM — organised by when you need them.
This page connects you to the right support at the right time. Start with the essentials in your first weeks, build your research profile in the following months, and use TAM's cluster-wide offers to expand your network and career options throughout your PhD. Not sure where to start? Contact the TAM TrainingHub Coordinator — see below.
Start Here
First 4 weeks — administrative setup, orientation, first contacts
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
International Welcome Center for Mobile Researchers Visit website ↗ |
Visa, housing, city registration, onboarding support for international researchers | Immediately on arrival | Core |
|
Social Integration Marburg Welcome Walk International Office ↗ |
City orientation tour and informal networking for international newcomers | First weeks | High |
|
Social Integration Max Kade Center Studierendenwerk Marburg ↗ |
International meeting place — language exchange, cultural events, social connection outside the lab | From week 1 | High |
|
Graduate School MARA — Graduate School Marburg Visit website ↗ |
Onboarding into structured doctoral programme — methods, writing, research skills training | From month 1 | Core |
|
Network Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB) Visit website ↗ |
Interdisciplinary research network across all TAM partner universities — seminars, colloquia, exchange | From month 1 | Core |
|
Mental Health PBS — Psychotherapeutic Counseling Centre Visit website ↗ |
Confidential psychological counseling and mental health support for students and researchers | As needed | Core |
Build Your Profile
Months 2–6 — structured training, TAC setup, career exploration
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Graduate School MARA — Doctoral Programme Visit website ↗ |
Structured training in scientific methods, academic writing, and research skills — courses in English & German | Months 1–6 | Core |
|
Career MARA — Career Advisory Service Visit website ↗ |
Individual career advising, orientation workshops, transferable skills training | From month 3 | Core |
|
Mentoring Mentoring Hessen — Women in Science Visit website ↗ |
Structured mentoring programme with experienced researchers — career support and professional development | From month 3 | Optional |
|
Teaching HDM — Higher Education Didactics Visit website ↗ |
Teaching certification and didactics training *(German language)* | Before/while teaching | Optional |
Expand & Connect
Ongoing — networking, funding applications, career positioning
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Networking MARA — Networking Events Visit website ↗ |
Interdisciplinary exchange and peer networking across faculties and disciplines | From month 1, ongoing | Core |
|
Funding MARA — Funding Opportunities Visit website ↗ |
Small grants for conference travel, research stays, and project support | As needed | Optional |
TAM Cluster-Wide Offers for PhDs
These opportunities are available to all TAM PhD researchers regardless of location. Use them to complement your local university support — for interdisciplinary exposure, international visibility, and funding.
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Career Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) |
Two supervisors from TAM institutions + one external — regular meetings every 3 months with progress reports and CDP review | Start of PhD | Core |
|
Career Career Development Plan (CDP) |
Individualised plan developed and adjusted with your TAC — scientific goals, training needs, next career steps | From month 1 | Core |
|
Funding Treasure Box — Intramural Funding |
Up to €5,000 for interdisciplinary collaborative research projects within TAM — annual call, open to all PhD researchers | From year 1 | Core |
|
Exchange Visits & Exchange Programme |
Research secondments at leading labs worldwide — up to 6 months, travel and living costs covered | From year 1 | Core |
|
Skills Complementary Skills Training |
Ethics, grant writing, leadership, science communication, open science, EDI, work-life balance — in coordination with MARA | Ongoing | Core |
|
Community Bi-weekly Colloquia |
World-leading scientists hosted by ECRs — streamed and posted online, occasional online-only sessions | Ongoing | Core |
|
Community YoungPro Events |
ECR-organised, ECR-only networking events — peer connections across all TAM sites, €20K/p.a. dedicated budget | Ongoing | Core |
|
Training Visual Neuroscience Summer School |
Intensive 2-week international summer school — open to top talent worldwide, travel stipends available for LMIC researchers | Every 2 years | Optional |
How to combine local and TAM offers
Use MARA and the Welcome Center for structured training, day-to-day support, and administrative guidance specific to Marburg.
Use TAM TrainingHub offers for interdisciplinary exposure, international exchange, and funding opportunities beyond your local institution.
The combination gives you depth locally and breadth across TAM — a balanced PhD profile that opens doors in academia and beyond.
Unsure where to start or how to prioritise? Rebekka Volmer at the TAM TrainingHub helps you identify the right services at the right time — across both Marburg and TAM.
Contact the TrainingHub →