CIBSS Career

CIBSS Launchpad Programme for postdoctoral researchers

Our postdoctoral career programme supports young researchers in boosting their creativity and their transition to scientific independence. The CIBSS Launchpad Programme (CLP) provides a comprehensive set of measures to prepare postdocs for the challenges they will face as independent group leaders. Tailored and structured mentoring, qualification programmes, networking opportunities, as well as funding for independent research projects and awards enable researchers to launch their science careers.

CIBSS early career retreat 2022. Image: Aida Maric / CIBSS

 

The CIBSS Launchpad programme is open to postdocs from the University of Freiburg, the University Medical Center and the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics who are working in research groups that are led by a CIBSS investigator.

If you are not yet associated with CIBSS and are looking for a postdoctoral position, relevant links and information on opportunities at CIBSS are listed here.

On a glance: Download the CIBSS Launchpad flyer here.

 

 

Launchpad Funds

 

CIBSS recognises that the postdoctoral phase is a critical time for the transition to scientific independence. As part of the CIBSS Launchpad Programme (CLP), CIBSS provides Launchpad Funds in two tracks: the Research Project Track and the Grant Proposal Track. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

The Research Project Track covers a portion of the recipient’s salary for 6 to 18 months, so that they can work on their own independent Launchpad project during part of their working hours, and/or it can cover research or travel costs.

The Grant Proposal Track covers up to 100% of the recipient’s salary for three months to allow for time to write and submit their own grant, fellowship proposal or application for a competitive Junior Group Leader position.

Furthermore, in addition to funding, Launchpad Funds recipients automatically become members of the CLP and have access to all benefits of CLP membership.

 

Who can apply?

Postdocs from the University of Freiburg, the University Medical Center and the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics who are working in CIBSS research groups. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Find more details here and contact the CIBSS Early Career Coordinator Dr. Dengfeng Huang, dengfeng.huang(at)cibss.uni-freiburg.de for further information and the application guideline.

CIBSS Launchpad Programme membership

 

CLP membership offers mentoring, training and networking opportunities:

Launchpad mentoring includes project planning tools as well as individual career mentoring:

  • The Flightplan is a career planning document. It contains personal career goals and lists achievements of the past year.
  • The Career Checklist for Postdocs will help you to prioritise and think strategically in order to achieve a permanent position as Principal Investigator via the Junior Group Leadership route.
  • Career Mentoring matches CLP members with CIBSS mentors who provide support by sharing their experiences and giving individual advice on career plans.

Launchpad Training includes tailored qualifications to prepare postdocs for the challenges they will face as independent group leaders.

  • Grant writing and funding opportunities
  • Good scientific practice
  • Scientific writing
  • Supervision
  • Resilience
  • Science communication
  • Further workshops and trainings

Launchpad Networking offers opportunities for exchanging perspectives on scientific or career topics among peers, and with senior researchers and professors. Some events are also open to all early career researchers in the biological signalling field, independent of CLP membership (marked with *).

  • CLP lunch series with professors
  • Virtual Coffee Break

 

Upcoming events are listed here.

Past events are listed here.

 

Who can apply?

Postdocs from the University of Freiburg, the University Medical Center and the Max Planck Institute of Immunobiology and Epigenetics who are working in CIBSS research groups are eligible. Applicants should be working on integrative signalling research projects.

Application is easy: Contact the CIBSS Early Career Coordinator Dr. Dengfeng Huang, dengfeng.huang(at)cibss.uni-freiburg.de to receive the application form. You will need to hand in this form together with a short CV. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Note: If you have been awarded CIBSS Launchpad Funds, you will automatically become a CLP member and do not have to go through a second application process.

 

 


Further support measures

 

In addition to the CLP programme, all CIBSS early career researchers have access to the following support measures offered by CIBSS and the University of Freiburg:

 

CIBSS support measures

  • The InteGREATor Award recognizes outstanding scientific achievements of doctoral researchers and postdocs including award funds.
  • CIBSS Lab Support during pregnancy and early parenthood.
  • Career Advancement and Travel Grant for conferences and scientific trainings
  • Scientific Editing to provide detailed feedback on funding applications and manuscripts

 

University of Freiburg support measures

 


Additional information and resources

 

Early career researchers in Freiburg have access to many additional resources from the University of Freiburg and other local institutions, such as the following:

Relevant for research

Mentoring programmes

  • AdvanceMent Freiburg (for postdocs und senior doctoral students): support researchers in their professional development in this crucial phase – whether they are aiming for a career in academia (@academia) or see their future outside academia (@newpathways) or @flexible.
  • Studierendenmentoring Freiburg, including Intercultural mentoring, subject-specific mentoring, teaching-specific mentoring

Mentoring programmes especially for women

Berufsinformation & Services - Freiburg

If you are interested in founding your own start-up

  • Gründungsbüro: Offers support in gründungsstipendium & discussing ideas or developing business plan