The Leibniz Institute for Educational Trajectories (LIfBi) has launched a mentoring program aimed specifically at postdocs at the institute. The LIfBi Research Affiliates are available as mentors. These individuals are experienced scientists with outstanding research activities who are now extending their close research collaboration with LIfBi to include their willingness to participate in LIfBi's mentoring program in early career phases.

The aim of the programme is to support postdoctoral researchers in recognizing and developing their individual skills and using them specifically for their own career planning and personal development. LIfBi Director Prof. Dr. Cordula Artelt emphasized the importance of the new program for career development at LIfBi: “The mentoring program can help postdocs at LIfBi to build valuable networks and pursue individual career goals. This personal support is an important step in sustainably supporting the next generation of scientists in their professional development.”

Mentoring focuses on concrete support services. Experienced scientists not only offer their mentees insights into more tacit knowledge that is important for scientific careers, but also help with career planning, open up personal and professional networks and encourage individual solutions to particular challenges. In addition, the LIfBi Research Affiliates act as sparring partners to sharpen ideas and critically accompany career decisions.

The mentoring partnership lasts for two years. Typical topics of the mentoring meetings include building academic networks, dealing with publication strategies, developing leadership skills and balancing professional and private demands. In addition, questions on acquiring third-party funding, developing research priorities and long-term career planning can be discussed. The program is supervised by the LIfBi's staff unit Junior Researchers and Further Education, which also supports the postdocs in selecting suitable mentors.