Getting started at TAM —
PhD in Gießen
Your guide to the most relevant services at Justus Liebig University Gießen 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 International Researchers Office — JLU Visit website ↗ |
Visa, housing, city registration, and onboarding support for international researchers at JLU | Immediately on arrival | Core |
|
Orientation JLU Onboarding & Orientation Sessions International Office ↗ |
Formal enrollment guidance, doctoral regulations overview, and general administrative orientation at the start of your PhD | First weeks | Core |
|
Social Integration International Buddy Program & Kaffeekränzchen International Office ↗ |
Paired with a local staff member or student for social integration — bi-weekly informal meetups for German practice and networking | From week 1 | High |
|
Graduate School GGN — Giessen Graduate Centre for Natural Sciences & Psychology Visit website ↗ |
Central hub for doctoral training at JLU — interdisciplinary workshops, research competence development, and structured support from the start | From month 1 | Core |
|
Network Center for Mind, Brain and Behavior (CMBB) Visit website ↗ |
Interdisciplinary research network across all TAM partner universities — seminars, colloquia, and cross-site exchange | From month 1 | Core |
|
Mental Health PBS — Psychological Counseling Center Visit website ↗ |
Confidential psychological counseling (also in English) for stress, work-life balance, or study-related difficulties | As needed | Core |
Build Your Profile
Months 2–6 — structured training, TAC setup, career exploration
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Graduate School GGN — Doctoral Training & Career Development Visit website ↗ |
Structured training in scientific methods and academic writing; individual career counselling, application training, transferable skills workshops, and mentoring formats — all under one roof | From month 1 | Core |
|
Skills & Career ZfbK — Centre for Competence Development Visit website ↗ |
Four areas: Foreign Languages, Study Skills (scientific writing, digital tools), Career Services (job market, non-academic paths), Psychological Counseling — useful for language integration and career positioning beyond academia | From month 2 | Core |
|
Mentoring Mentoring Hessen — Women in Science Visit website ↗ |
Structured mentoring for international female doctoral candidates — networking, career planning, and long-term integration into the German academic system | From month 3 | Optional |
|
Peer Support "A Friendly Ear" — Peer Counseling (GGN) GGN ↗ |
Confidential peer support by experienced doctoral candidates — emotional guidance for early challenges such as work-life balance or supervisor conflicts | As needed | High |
Expand & Connect
Ongoing — networking, teaching, funding applications, career positioning
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Teaching HDM — Higher Education Didactics Via GGN ↗ |
Workshops and certificate programmes for professional development in university teaching and didactics | Before/while teaching | Optional |
|
Networking GGN — Events & Interdisciplinary Exchange Visit website ↗ |
Networking events, colloquia, and interdisciplinary exchange across JLU faculties and beyond | Ongoing | Core |
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 projects within TAM — annual call. Want to test a new idea or collect pilot data? This is your instrument. | From year 1 | Core |
|
Funding Start-up Funds |
Support for research secondments, conference participation, workshops, and specialised training — expand your network and build academic visibility | From year 1 | Core |
|
Funding EDI Grants — LMIC Countries |
Travel costs + up to €10,000 for collaborative projects within the TAM network — annual call, up to two projects per year | As announced | Optional |
|
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 GGN | 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 GGN and the International Researchers Office for structured training, day-to-day support, and administrative guidance specific to JLU Gießen.
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 Gießen and TAM.
Contact the TrainingHub →