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CAREER SERVICE SUPPORT @LMU

Transitioning from academia to industry can be a daunting process, but it also presents exciting opportunities for growth and development. Our career events & services aim to demystify this transition and provide you with the resources and support needed to make a successful career change. Whether you are exploring industry options for the first time or actively seeking new opportunities in other fields, this keynote will offer valuable insights and practical advice to help you achieve your career goals or to identify your goals themselves. After my short keynote about LMU’s Career Services I’d love to discuss in detail your opportunities and how we can be of support.

Time: 2 p.m.
Room: Room N02.011

About the trainer: Dr. Stephan Pflaum has been working at LMU's Career Service since 2012. Previously, he worked in human resources management at various companies. At LMU, he advises students, doctoral candidates and graduates on all career issues.

MASTERING THE CHALLENGE OF "FAMILY AND SCIENCE"

The course "Career WITH a child! Mastering the challenge of 'family and science'" focuses on the compatibility of family and scientific career as well as personal development. The course aims to enable participants to strike a balance between professional ambitions and family commitments. It offers insights into the theoretical perspectives on reconciliation at various levels and focuses on developing individual strategies for overcoming everyday challenges.Participants are encouraged to critically reflect on their current roles and responsibilities, clarify their values and goals and develop an action plan that enables them to deal with stress in a more relaxed and resilient way. The course also covers the importance of self-care and activating personal resources to promote better mental health.

Time: 9:30 a.m.
Room: Room N02.011

About the trainer: Dr. Sashima Läbe is a first-generation trainer, coach and scientist. After completing her Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies in geosciences at the University of Bonn, she has been working at TwentyOne Skills GmbH as an expert in mental health and gender & diversity issues in science and teaching. She understands the challenges of academic work from her own experience and knows how important it is to keep an eye on yourself. She is a mother of three and lives in Bonn.

SUPPORT AND ORIENTATION FOR YOUNG ACADEMICS OF THE FIRST GENERATION

This course is specifically aimed at first-generation early career researchers who are the first in their family to embark on an academic career. It offers valuable support and guidance by addressing the specific challenges and opportunities of this group. Participants gain insights into the social image of academics, reflect on how they see themselves and how others see them and learn how to deal with the reactions of their social environment.Participants in this course will not only be able to reflect on their own academic career, but also actively shape it. They will learn how to overcome challenges as first-time academics and how to bring their unique perspectives to academia as a strength.

Time: 3 p.m.
Room: Room N02.016

About the trainer: Dr. Sashima Läbe is a first-generation trainer, coach and scientist. After completing her Ph.D. and postdoctoral studies in geosciences at the University of Bonn, she has been working at TwentyOne Skills GmbH as an expert in mental health and gender & diversity issues in science and teaching. She understands the challenges of academic work from her own experience and knows how important it is to keep an eye on yourself. She is a mother of three and lives in Bonn.

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT HOW TO START YOUR OWN COMPANY

Being an entrepreneur is much more than doing business. It means understanding a problem, finding a solution, recognizing an opportunity for change, and building an organization that is able to turn that solution into reality.

In this workshop, we provide a general overview of the basics of how to get started. These basics include team building, intellectual property (IP), time management, funding (e.g. grants), and the entrepreneurial mindset that supports successful founding.

We will also introduce you to the support services offered by the LMU Spin-off Service and the LMU Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center.

In addition, we are excited to present an inspiring LMU example of entrepreneurship that successfully translated science into business and research into application: Tubulis, a Munich-based biotech startup. Tubulis, which was supported as a founding project by LMU’s Spin-off Service and received funding through an EXIST Research Transfer Grant and an m4Award, recently completed a €308 million Series C financing round. This is the largest Series C round for a European biotech startup and the world’s largest private funding round for an antibody–drug conjugate (ADC) developer.Founders Jonas Helma-Smets and Dominik Schumacher will share their story.

Furthermore, BioM – the central network organization supporting Bavarian biotech companies – will present its services, including MAxL, the co-creation startup incubator for medicine and life sciences in Martinsried.

Time: 9:30 a.m.
Room: Room N02.016

About the trainers: Elisabeth Harbich (Project Management Start-up Support) joined BioM as a project manager in Start-up Support in 2025. She is involved in the finding of new trends and innovations and organization of the BioM mentor network as well as the organization of boot camps and pitching events. Elisabeth studied bioengineering at the Munich University of Applied Sciences and biochemistry at the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich. Later she joined Micromet AG in Munich as a research assistant in process development.

Andrea Socher (Spin-Off Service LMU) studied Business Administration at the LMU and Digital Technology Management at CDTM. She founded a consumer product company and worked for 5 years in the M&A consulting & business development area for different companies. Since 2020, she has been working as a StartUp Consultant at TH Rosenheim before joining the LMU Spin-off Service in 2024.

WHAT TO BRING AND WHAT TO KNOW ABOUT RECRUITMENT PROCEDURES

How does a recruitment committee for a professorship work in Germany, Austria or Switzerland?

When am I ready to apply for different types of professorships?

What are the most relevant documents I have to prepare for my written application?

These are the central questions the workshop answers. In addition, you get some ideas for writing your cover letter and research statement.

Time: 9:30 a.m.
Room: Room N02.017

About the trainer: Dr. Matthias Schwarzkopf is a coach and trainer for scientists. He is cofounder of karriereberatung-akademiker.de. Before that, he was responsible for accompanying the process of appointing professors (Berufungsverfahren) at Friedrich-Schiller University Jena for several years.

BUILD YOUR PROFESSIONAL NETWORK AND GET CAREER-WISE!

It can be hard to fit in time for career planning alongside your research but it is definitely worth starting before you actually “need” to apply. For researchers looking to switch out of academia in particular, the entry routes into the non-academic job market are not always transparent, it might not be clear what you really want to do or what you can do. But there are lots of micro-steps you can take to get yourself launched on this pathway. One such step is conducting “informational interviews” – a non-transactional and low-risk way to gather information, identify organisations or roles that fit you and your profile and test out ideas (… or hopes or dreams even!), all while expanding your network at the same time.

In this event, you’ll learn strategies for identifying who to talk to, how to approach people, what to ask, as well as pitfalls to avoid. You will be supported to start to act right away and empowered to reach out and connect with relevant stakeholders in the job market. The interactive lunch-break which follows gives you an immediate testing ground and lets you get “hands-on” right away!

Time: 9 a.m.
Room: Room N02.015

About the trainer: Philippa Cook is a careers advisor, trainer and coach who is an expert on the situation of international researchers in Germany. She worked in academia in Germany for many years and has an international background herself. A particular focus of her work is supporting academics who are looking to transition to Germany's non-academic sector.

A PEER-TO-PEER GUIDED TOUR THROUGH THE DIMENSIONS OF ACADEMIC CAREERS

Academic careers involve tough choices, a constant balancing act between competing expectations and the ongoing challenge of finding your own path within a complex environment.

This interactive workshop offers you space to step back and reflect. In a guided tour through key areas of academic life, you’ll explore your current challenges, recognize your resources, and discover how others manage similar crossroads.

The route is shaped by your interests. Your peers are your guides – offering insights, support, and new perspectives from their own experience.

Expect open conversations, new impulses, and ideas worth exploring further.

Time: 2:30 p.m.
Room: N02.015

About the trainers: Dr. Barbara Riesche has been working in research management and funding since 2007. After five years at the German Research Foundation (DFG), she established the national research funding team at LMU Munich, which provides information, advice, support, and training on German funding programmes. She also offers career consulting for postdoctoral researchers at LMU through both individual sessions and group formats.

Dr. Anna Pahl is a research manager in LMU’s team for national research funding programs. She is involved in information, advice, support, and training on national research funding programmes with a focus on LMU’s Faculties of Physics and Biology. She also offers career consulting for postdoctoral researchers at LMU through both individual sessions and group formats. She has been working in research management and funding since 2014.

A job in science management is one of the top career tracks for young PhD’s and Postdocs. But how do the responsibilities of a science manager really look like? What makes this field an attractive career choice? And what should be considered before taking the decision to enter science management as a professional? This talk gives an insight into an interesting career opportunity within the German academic system in a condensed manner.

Time: 1 p.m.
Room: Room N02.017

About the trainer: Dr. Oliver Grewe works as a program manager at the Volkswagen Foundation, one of Germany’s leading private funders of research and technology. He holds a Ph.D. in neurosciences and began his career in science management after his first postdoc. His started off in 2008 as a program manager of the Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes. Two years later he enrolled in the Scientific Commission of Lower Saxony to organize evaluation processes at universities, before he took his current job in 2011. Since 2015 he’s additionally self-employed as a trainer and coach, offering workshops at various universities in Germany. In January 2020 he published the book “Wissenschaftsmanagement als Beruf – Strategien für den Einstieg“ together with Dr. Mirjam Müller.

This workshop offers early career researchers an introduction to the most relevant funding opportunities provided by the German Research Foundation (DFG). Dr. Katja Fettelschoß, our guest speaker from the DFG head office, will present an overview of key funding programmes tailored to the early stages of an academic career. The session will also cover the DFG’s review process and provide insights into the essential components and requirements of a successful DFG proposal. Following the presentation, participants will have the opportunity to engage in a Q&A session and address their individual questions directly to the speaker.

Time: 2:30 p.m.
Room: Kleiner Hörsaal

About the trainer: Dr. Katja Fettelschoß has been working at the German Research Foundation (DFG) since 2008 in the group for Research Training Groups and Research Careers. She began as a program officer for early career support and now serves as head of the team for International Research Training Groups and deputy head of the group. A political scientist by training, she earned her doctorate with academic stays in Düsseldorf, Lüneburg, Naples, and London.

MSCA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS & ERC STARTING GRANTS

Are you a PhD or Postdoc researcher interested in EU funding? In this workshop you will learn about EU research funding opportunities for individual researches. The Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships equip postdoctoral researchers with complementary professional skills for their future careers through the implementation of a personalised research project. The ERC Starting Grants fund talented early-career scientists who are 2 - 7 years after the PhD for a duration of up to five years.

Time: 10 a.m.
Room: Kleiner Hörsaal

About the trainers: Dr. Mila Borri obtained her MSc in Medical Biotechnologies at the University of Padua, Italy, and then moved to Belgium for her PhD. Here she joined the lab of Angiogenesis and Vascular Metabolism at VIB/KU Leuven under the supervision of Prof. Peter Carmeliet. Since March 2024, she is a Postdoctoral Researcher in the lab of Prof. Dominik Paquet at ISD, Munich. Her current project focuses on studying the role of vasculature in neurodegeneration using iPSC-derived 3D models of human brain tissue.

Prof. Aaron Bufe joined the Faculty of Geosciences of the LMU as a professor for sedimentology in 2023. His research focuses on the physical and chemical processes that control the evolution of landscapes, the transport of sediments, and the global fluxes of nutrients and carbon. Following his studies at the University of Cambridge and the University of California, Santa Barbara, he worked for six years at the Helmholtz Centre for Geosciences before moving to Munich.

Science, justice, and the global path in between

By Dr. Andreas Düring, M.A. (Tüb.), M.St., D.Phil. (Oxon.)

Since 2017, I have been working as a self-employed expert witness in forensic anthropology and human identification at the Institute for Forensic Expert Services (IfoSA) in Munich. In this role, I hold full responsibility for the analysis, processing, and presentation of over 3,500 forensic reports for courts, public prosecutors, and police authorities across Germany.

In parallel, I have been lecturing in forensic anthropology at the universities of Munich, Maynooth, and Tübingen, and have regularly delivered training sessions for legal professionals at bar associations as well as for police forces.

From 2017 to 2019, I was a research associate at the University of Oxford, focusing on computer modelling of prehistoric populations. Prior to that, I worked as Digital Manager at Border Archaeology Ltd. in the UK (2016–2017), where I led a specialist team on large-scale excavation projects and field surveys, with a particular focus on CAD/GIS, 3D applications, and the digital development of the company.

My academic background spans from 2005 to 2017 and includes a broad international education completed with distinction and supported by various scholarships. I hold a D.Phil. and M.St. from the University of Oxford (St Cross College), an M.A. from the University of Tübingen, and studied as a visiting student at Durham University.

My journey from research to research funding

By Dr. Cristina Giacomin

I am Cristina Giacomin, a passionate research funding advisor at LMU.

After the completion of my studies at the University of Padua (Italy), I moved to Germany to pursue a doctorate in German literature. A stipend from DAAD and my job as a lecturer in Italian allowed me to fund my studies and get my PhD. That paved the way to my postdoc position at the University of Würzburg where I enjoyed the opportunity to conduct historical research on Catholic Church and Culture in the modern age. At the same time, I developed a critical view of our university system and the desire to understand more about it. So I decided to study Science Management at the University of Speyer, and that is how I discovered my new passion.

At this stage, the point was: how can I start a new career in science management after so many years in research?

If you borrow me, you can learn how I managed it.

How I learned to love the unexpected

By Dr. Stephanie Hafner

I completed my doctorate in Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies at the University of Konstanz, with research stays in Canada and Scotland that laid the groundwork for a globally minded career. My first step beyond academia brought me to the TestDaF Institute, where I worked on digital learning, developed curricula, and trained educators.

Later, I embraced a leadership role as a language consultant at the Goethe-Institut Washington in the USA. There, I managed international partnerships in education and culture, designed projects, and supported teachers across North America.

Returning to Munich, I joined a major EU-funded initiative focused on preparing skilled workers for life and work in Germany. Today, I draw on experiences from multiple international projects to advise Goethe-Institutes worldwide on educational and cultural programs.

One insight I love to share is that your career story only makes sense in hindsight — and every experience along the way contributes to your growth.

A scientist’s path from the lab bench to pharma leadership

By Dr. Sarah Just

Hi, I am Sarah.

With a PhD in Nutrition and Immunology from TU Munich, my career began in academic research, exploring the intestinal microbiome and mentoring students. I later moved into pharmaceutical marketing, translating complex medical data into clear, engaging content across various therapeutic areas. Since 2019, I’ve been part of Gilead Sciences in Martinsried, now serving as a Senior Manager in Medical Information with a focus on oncology. Along the way, I also took time for maternity leave — an important chapter that gave me personal insight into balancing a fulfilling career with family life.

Advocating for access beyond the academy

By Dr. Martina Kübler

I studied English and Economics at Heidelberg University, the University of Athens (USA), and LMU Munich, where I earned my PhD in English Literature in 2021. After completing my doctorate, I worked briefly as a postdoctoral researcher at LMU Munich and also gained experience as a secondary school teacher.

Since 2022, I have been working for the non-profit organization ArbeiterKind.de, which advocates for equal access to higher education and supports students from non-academic families in navigating their academic and career paths. Initially, I served as the regional coordinator for Bavaria, where I focused on fundraising, building local networks, and engaging volunteers.

In September 2025, I took on the role of public relations officer for ArbeiterKind.de at the national level, where I am now responsible for shaping and communicating the organization’s mission across Germany.

My path from nuclear physics to cutting-edge biology

By Dr. Simon Mages

I studied theoretical physics at the Universities of Regensburg and Erlangen, diving deep into the fundamental forces that govern our universe. My PhD, completed in Regensburg, focused on Lattice Quantum Chromodynamics—a simulation framework that uses supercomputers to unravel the mysteries of the strong nuclear force.

After a postdoc at the Jülich Supercomputing Center, I shifted gears and joined a Siemens startup called eAir, where I worked on electrifying air travel with the goal of reducing CO2 emissions—a chance to apply my skills to a global challenge.

During parental leave in the US, right after eAir transitioned from Siemens to Rolls-Royce, I began collaborating with the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in Cambridge. There, I immersed myself in analyzing single-cell and spatial transcriptomics data, exploring life in its native high-dimensional state.

A DFG research fellowship allowed me to continue this work in the labs of Aviv Regev and Fei Chen at the Broad, before I moved to the Gene Center Munich at LMU, where I now lead a junior research group focused on the physics of high-dimensional biological data. I combine my diverse expertise to develop cutting-edge methods for analyzing omics datasets, collaborating closely with applied groups to advance our understanding and treatment of complex diseases.

Balancing Equations, Babies, and Boundary Layers

By Prof. Dr. Mirjana Sakradzija

I joined LMU in October 2023 as a tenure-track professor in Physical Geography and Land-Atmosphere Coupling at the Faculty of Geosciences. My start at LMU came after a career break due to maternity leave and a move from Hamburg, where I lived with my family since 2011.

I did my PhD at the Faculty of Mathematics, Informatics, and Natural Sciences, University of Hamburg, and Max-Planck-Institute for Meteorology (MPI-M) from 2011 until 2015. After that, I worked for five years as a postdoc at the MPI-M, advancing my research on clouds, weather, and climate model development. An important step up for my career was the next position at the Deutscher Wetterdienst as a research director for Model Development and Atmospheric Boundary Layer from 2020 until 2023.

My research at LMU focuses on the role of atmospheric processes in land-atmosphere interactions. I aim to understand how small-scale and fast processes, such as atmospheric turbulence and clouds, interact with the processes at the land surface to influence large-scale and long-term interactions and feedbacks. My teaching involves advanced data analysis, climatology, high-impact weather, and the science of soils and land use.

An Organic Chemist’s Transition from Synthesis to Mass Spectrometry

By Dr. Barbara Steigenberger

Since 2020, I have been heading the Mass Spectrometry Core Facility at the Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, where I lead a team of three staff members. We support diverse research projects for internal users, including PhD students and postdocs, in proteomics, structural proteomics, and metabolomics.

In 2016, I earned my PhD in Organic Chemistry at LMU Munich, where I developed chemical tools to study epigenetic DNA bases. To transition from organic synthesis to mass spectrometry, I chose a postdoctoral project at Utrecht University (The Netherlands), where I applied my chemistry skills to mass spectrometry by synthesizing and developing a crosslinking reagent and directly applying it through novel MS workflows.

I discovered my current position through networking at a conference, which showed me the value of building connections for career development. In core facility management, I combine my passion for science with mentoring and supporting young researchers, contributing to impactful research without the pressure of running a traditional research lab.

Unraveling the genome’s secrets to fight disease

By Rodrigo Villaseñor, PhD

Born and raised in México, I embody a blend of cultures. In Germany, I had the privilege of a free education, which sparked my passion for science and technology and led me to study at world-class institutions, including the University of Konstanz, IMBA Vienna, the University of Toronto, FMI Basel, and the University of Zurich.

During my PhD at the FMI Basel, I pioneered gene-editing technologies to establish cell-based assays for high-throughput genomic screens, enabling the discovery of novel therapeutic strategies for Friedreich’s Ataxia in collaboration with Novartis. My postdoctoral research at the University of Zurich provided a breakthrough in chromatin biology by identifying proteins bound to distinct chromatin states defined by specific histone modifications.

In 2022, I started my independent research group at the Biomedical Center of LMU Munich. My lab is supported by the Emmy Noether Program of the German Research Foundation and a Starting Grant from the European Research Council. Our research spans chromatin biology and disease diagnostics, with a central focus on uncovering how proteins interact with regulatory elements in the genome to reveal novel mechanisms of gene regulation. More recently, we have expanded our efforts to develop minimally invasive approaches for early cancer detection and tumor classification using epigenomic biomarkers in blood.

Mixing molecules, managing madness, and making medicine better

By Dr. Benjamin Winkeljann

I am Benjamin Winkeljann, an engineer and entrepreneur specializing in drug delivery systems for RNA and the optimization of pharmaceutical processes. I earned my PhD in bioengineering from the Munich School of Bioengineering at the Technical University of Munich. Following this, I joined the Department of Pharmacy at Ludwig-Maximilians-University Munich as a postdoctoral scientist, where I focused on simulation-assisted optimization of pharmaceutical unit operations in the manufacturing of RNA therapeutics.

In 2023, I took on the role of Group Leader and began my University Lecturer Qualification in Pharmaceutical Technology and Drug Delivery. That same year, I co-founded RNhale GmbH in Munich, where I serve as CEO. I am also a Principal Investigator at the Comprehensive Pneumology Center Munich (CPC-M).

With certifications in quality management from CERT iQ GmbH and in clinical product evaluation, I bring a comprehensive approach to managing biopharmaceutical projects. My expertise also spans fundraising, business development, and intellectual property strategy.