Context

Science and Research in Germany in 2025

The German science landscape is composed of public body or government-recognized institutions that are structured and organized in very different ways.

  • Universities, including technical and medical universities
  • Universities of applied sciences
  • Universities of art and music
  • Theological universities
  • Universities of education
  • Non-university research institutions (such as the Fraunhofer, Helmholtz, Leibniz and Max-Planck institutes)

Overarching strategies

In the face of challenges such as climate change, scarcity of resources, demographic change and geopolitical shifts, which weaken Germany's innovative strength and competitiveness, it is clear that extensive investments, a strong vision and the courage to redesign the higher education and science system are needed. [Source: https://wirtschaft-und-management.de/wirtschaftsnews/wissenschaftssystem-2-0-vision-fuer-die-zukunft-der-hochschulsystems/] ]

Currently implemented strategies:

  • Excellence strategy
  • Future strategy for research and innovation
  • Digitization and internationalization of education, science and research
  • Equal opportunities in science – equality and diversity

Studies

Academic degrees such as Bachelor's, Master's, state examination, as well as diploma and magister (as expired options) are mainly geared towards qualifying students for a profession. Those who want to do a doctorate must hold one of these academic degrees. Writing a dissertation – and thus conducting independent research – contributes to the advancement of scientific expertise in the respective discipline and is a prerequisite for an academic career.

Doctorate/PhD

There are two paths to a doctorate: depending on the discipline, research project and type of university, a distinction is made between an individual doctorate and a structured doctoral program (e.g. as part of a research training group). In addition to scientific expertise, the doctorate also has a comprehensive influence on the acquisition of skills by a person and the resulting self-efficacy. This is because the doctoral phase is characterized by specific dependencies of a personal, professional, financial and temporal nature on the supervisors. Since a doctorate can take 3 to 6 years, the fit between doctoral candidate and supervisor is highly relevant.

Professional orientation after the doctorate

Currently, about 85% of those who graduate leave academia within the first two years after after graduation and choose a career in the private or public sector. The remaining 15% of all postdocs choose a research career, which initially involves sharpening their scientific profile, expanding their research expertise, becoming eligible for professorship and finally, after several years achieving academic independence by a permanent professorship. In addition to the traditional path to professorship in German-speaking countries, there are various parallel habilitation-equivalent procedures during the qualification phase, such as junior or tenure-track professorships or leading junior or research groups.

On the pathway towards professorship

For those looking for a successful career in the German academic system, it is important to seek information and advice about realistic potential, but also about micro-political practices, structural barriers, during their qualification and establishment phases and even in the final stages of their professional activity, in order to develop a tailored career strategy. The number one success factor remains visible social integration in flourishing collaborations, professional societies and associations. This is all the more important given that in this highly competitive, internationally renowned research system, the culture is characterized by the pressure to acquire third-party funding, a lack of permanent positions, and, to make matters worse, non-transparent information practices. Only those who have built up trusting relationships over time receive the information that makes professional advancement possible.

Other important occupations in the scientific field

  • Clinician Scientists
  • Science managers
  • Science communicators

Empowerment

In order to be able to deal with the current situation in academia as an individual in a more self-effective, resilient and professional manner, it is now quite common to seek support from qualified coaches. External and internal coaches have become recognized sparring partners in the context of personnel development at German universities and non-university research institutions.

Those who want to clarify their professional situation, maintain orientation and overview, and also shape personal development processes under these challenging and often precarious conditions can choose from various personnel development measures (e.g. leadership and mentoring programs, seminars/workshops, peer counseling or individual coaching) offered in face-to-face or online formats, selecting the modules that appear personally coherent and meaningful.