Getting started at TAM —
Postdoc 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 brings together the most relevant services and contact points at Justus Liebig University Gießen 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Social Integration International Buddy Program & Kaffeekränzchen International Office ↗ |
Pairs international researchers with local staff or students for integration support; the bi-weekly Kaffeekränzchen is a casual networking opportunity for practising German and socialising | From week 1 | High |
|
Mental Health Mental Health in Academia Visit website ↗ |
Confidential professional psychological consultation — also available in English, specifically for scientists and researchers | As needed | Core |
Build Your Profile
Months 2–6 — structured training, career planning, mentoring
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Graduate School GGN — Gießen Graduate Center for Natural Sciences & Psychology Visit website ↗ |
Interdisciplinary training, workshops in academic writing and methods, and funding for research competence development — a central resource throughout your postdoc | From month 1 | Core |
|
Career PCMO "Academic Career" Mentoring Program Visit website ↗ |
Cross-mentoring for postdocs focused on strategic career development with experienced mentors from academic institutions | From month 3 | Core |
|
Mentoring Mentoring Hessen — Women in Sciences Visit website ↗ |
Mentoring programme specifically for international female doctoral candidates and postdocs — networking, career planning, and long-term integration into the German academic system | From month 3 | Optional |
Expand & Connect
Ongoing — networking, teaching, funding applications, career positioning
| Service | What you get | When | Priority |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Networking GGN — Events & Interdisciplinary Exchange Visit website ↗ |
Networking events, colloquia, and interdisciplinary exchange across JLU faculties and beyond — regular touchpoints for the research community | From month 1, ongoing | Core |
|
Teaching HDM — Higher Education Didactics Visit website ↗ |
Workshops and certificate programmes for professional development in university teaching and didactics — essential for postdocs planning an academic career requiring teaching competence | Before/while teaching | Optional |
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 GGN | 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 GGN, PCMO, and the International Office for structured training, career mentoring, and administrative support specific to JLU Gießen.
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 →