Getting started at TAM —
Postdoc in Frankfurt
Your guide to the most relevant services at Goethe University Frankfurt and across TAM — organised by when you need them.
This page brings together the most relevant services and contact points at Goethe University Frankfurt for Postdoctoral researchers at TAM. It is designed to help you navigate the initial phase efficiently — pointing you to the right units, courses and support structures at the right time. 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Graduate School GRADE Career Platform for Postdocs Visit GRADE ↗ |
Your first port of call at Goethe University — an overview of all GRADE offers and services specifically tailored to postdoctoral researchers | Immediately on arrival | Core |
|
Social Integration GRADE Social Welcoming Events Visit GRADE ↗ |
Group trips to historical locations and other team activities — an accessible way to meet peers and settle into Frankfurt from the start | First weeks | High |
|
Mental Health GRADE Mental Health Support Visit GRADE ↗ |
Support for stress, burnout, depression, or crisis situations — confidential help and referrals for postdoctoral researchers at Goethe University | As needed | Core |
Build Your Profile
Months 2–6 — structured training, career planning, mentoring
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Career GRADE Career Tools Visit GRADE ↗ |
Career planning resources, application tips, and workshops to help you think strategically about your next steps — in academia or beyond | From month 3 | Core |
|
Coaching GRADE Individual Coaching Visit GRADE ↗ |
One-to-one coaching and career advice tailored to your personal skills, strengths, and goals — a focused space to reflect on and plan your trajectory | From month 3 | High |
Expand & Connect
Ongoing — networking, funding applications, career positioning
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Networking GRADE Events & Community Visit GRADE ↗ |
Regular events, colloquia, and community activities for postdoctoral researchers across Goethe University — interdisciplinary exchange and peer networking throughout your postdoc | From month 1, ongoing | Core |
TAM Cluster-Wide Offers for Postdocs
These opportunities are available to all TAM Postdoctoral researchers regardless of location. Use them to complement your local university support — for research independence, international visibility, and career progression.
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Career Career Development Plan (CDP) |
Individualised plan developed with your mentoring team — scientific goals, training needs, career trajectory in academia or beyond | From month 1 | Core |
|
Career TAM Mentoring Team (R2/R3) |
Continuous support from a dedicated mentoring team to discuss progress, identify training needs, and forge connections for your next career step — in academia or beyond | From month 1 | Core |
|
Funding Intramural Research Funding (Postdoc) |
Up to €10,000 per project for 6–12 month interdisciplinary research projects within TAM — annual call, encourages collaborative and cross-site approaches | From year 1 | Core |
|
Funding Start-up Bridge Funding |
Up to one year of bridge support (own position + up to €10K additional funds) to finalise manuscripts, write grants, or conduct research secondments — 2 positions per year | As needed | Core |
|
Exchange Visits & Exchange Programme |
Research secondments at leading labs worldwide — up to 6 months, travel and living costs covered; also enables industry secondments for non-academic career paths | From year 1 | Core |
|
Skills Complementary Skills Training |
Advanced transferable skills: ethics, grant writing, leadership, science management, scientific communication, EDI, open science — tailored to postdoc career level, in coordination with GRADE | Ongoing | Core |
|
Community TAM Cluster Seminar Series |
Bi-weekly colloquia with world-leading scientists hosted by ECRs — enables interdisciplinary connections and exposure to cluster research from all TAM partner institutions | Ongoing | Core |
|
Community TAM Annual Retreats (YoungPro) |
Intense networking and scientific exchange at the yearly Young Professionals Retreat — ECR-organised, ECR-only, with dedicated €20K/p.a. budget | Annual | 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 GRADE for career tools, individual coaching, mental health support, and day-to-day guidance specific to Goethe University Frankfurt.
Use TAM TrainingHub offers for research funding, international exchange, and career development opportunities beyond your local institution.
The combination helps you build local roots and international reach — the foundation for a competitive, independent research profile.
Unsure where to start or how to prioritise? Rebekka Volmer at the TAM TrainingHub serves as a central orientation point across TAM and helps you identify the right services at the right time.
Contact the TrainingHub →