We are looking for new representatives from the group of doctoral researchers and postdocs for the board of the Graduate Academy Leipzig. In accordance with the regulations, two doctoral researchers and one postdoctoral researcher represent the respective status groups on the board, which is chaired by the Vice-Rector for Talent Development and also comprises two deans and a representative of the structured doctoral programmes.
Below you can find out about the candidates for this year's election. Voting is possible from 3 March 2025, 8 am to 7 March 2024, 10 pm via the voting tool in the DPVS. Doctoral and postdoctoral researchers elect their representatives to the Executive Board separately.
Presentation of the candidates for the board (doctoral researchers)
Hello, my name is Ella and I’m from Ireland. I am a PhD researcher in the Computational EvoDevo/Bioinformatics group led by Sonja Prohaska at Leipzig University (computer science faculty). My research focuses on enzymes and evolution in Archaea and mites.
I’ve sometimes found it challenging to access clear information about available resources in Germany. Many university boards do not always feel fully inclusive for non-German citizens or non-native speakers, despite the fact that a significant portion of PhD researchers and postdocs come from diverse international backgrounds.
One of my main concerns is improving access to university resources, which can often be difficult to navigate, especially given how demanding and stressful PhD and postdoc life can be. I am passionate about fostering an inclusive environment where all researchers feel welcome and supported.
1) Please briefly introduce yourself with your doctoral topic, affiliation (faculty; position/scholarship/other) etc.
My name is Ines Gebert and I am currently doing my doctorate at the Faculty of Medicine in the Department of Clinical Pharmacy on the subject of ‘Management of drug-related problems and patient-oriented drug information’. I am particularly interested in equal opportunities, interdisciplinary work and networking.
2) What motivates you to represent the group of doctoral researchers on the board of the Graduate Academy?
Not all PhD students receive the same supervision or have access to the same resources. The Graduate Academy offers the opportunity to develop essential skills and exchange ideas with others, regardless of department or supervision situation. I would like to develop these programmes further and make them accessible and known to even more PhD students.
3) Which topics are particularly close to your interest?
I would like to advocate for equal opportunities through expanded, needs-based training opportunities in areas such as methodology, statistics, AI and self-organisation. I would also like to establish peer mentoring programmes and network meetings, e.g. to exchange information about the individuell scientific supervision or professional exchange (interdisciplinary projects/collaboration).
My name is Konstantin Groß and I would like to join the Graduate Academy Board as a doctoral candidate representative. I officially started my doctorate in 2023. I'm working on US blockbuster feature films from the 1970s to 1990s, which I'm analysing with regard to social perceptions of nature at the time. The work is based at the Institute of American Studies and I am funding it with a scholarship.
As a doctoral candidate representative, I would like to be a point of contact for all doctoral candidates with all their questions, problems and other concerns. I have personally experienced the hurdles that can arise in the doctoral process. For example, it took me a long time to find a topic, supervisor and funding. I would like to incorporate my experience of how to deal with such hurdles into my work. I would also like to collaborate with other doctoral and postdoc representatives. This way, other perspectives are included and we can divide our workload according to our capacities.
It is important to me that doctoral candidates are able to pursue their primary doctoral motivation in the best possible way. I believe that such a way of working, which is not determined by external (material) incentives, enables fulfilling work. The Graduate Academy can help to create appropriate conditions and freedom. I would also like to help create an inclusive environment in which many perspectives are heard.
1) Please briefly introduce yourself with your doctoral topic, affiliation (faculty; position/scholarship/other) etc.
I hold a background in cultural studies and currently pursuing a PhD on the topic of abortion in the German Democratic Republic (DDR) at the Faculty of Social Sciences and Philosophy. The research project is funded through a scholarship from the Hans-Böckler Foundation. Prior to this, I was employed through the Pre-Doc Award at the University of Leipzig, where I gained insights into university structures.
2) What motivates you to represent the group of doctoral researchers on the board of the Graduate Academy?
For the past year, I have been a member of the board of the Graduate Academy, focusing particularly on the needs of doctoral researchers without permanent positions, such as those funded by scholarships. I would like to continue this work in the coming year and further advance the processes that have been initiated. It is important to me to contribute my experience, both regarding the needs of doctoral researchers and from the specific perspective of scholarship holders, in order to make the Graduate Academy's offerings more attractive to doctoral researchers – including those without permanent positions.
3) Which topics are particularly close to your interest?
Because of my personal circumstances, I am particularly interested in the situation of doctoral scholarship holders and their sometimes loosely connected university affiliation. This involves not only the visibility and representation of doctoral scholarship holders in university structures but also other topics such as different institutional affiliations, reimbursement of travel expenses, as well as access to university licenses and workspaces. These topics could be addressed through specialized advisory services, for example. I would like to contribute my experiences in this regard, gained through the founding of a nationwide network for doctoral scholarship recipients.
Moreover, it is a priority for me to make scientific career paths and further educational opportunities as accessible as possible. This includes, on one hand, providing information and exchange possibilities specifically for (emerging) researchers who might face challenges in pursuing a scientific career due to their background or other structural obstacles. On the other hand, this also includes aspects like involving international doctoral candidates and postdocs into university structures and events, suitable event timings for those with caregiving responsibilities, childcare options, and the general accessibility of events.
3 questions for the candidates for the board (postdoc)
1) Please briefly introduce yourself (type of employment, next professional goal)
I am PostDoc at the Humboldt Science Center for Child Development and my goal is to complete a habilitation.
2) What motivates you to represent the group of early postdocs on the board of the Graduate Academy?
As I have been supported by many GA programs, I would very much like to contribute to their further development and thus make an important contribution to the development of the university as a whole.
3) Which topics are particularly close to your interest?
As a member of an international research team and lecturer in an international Master's program, the international perspective is very important to me, as is the promotion of early career researchers and their career development.
