Kick-off for the Grete Hermann Career Forge program: Early-career women researchers take charge of their futures

Overview

On May 21, 2026, the Würzburg–Dresden Cluster of Excellence ctd.qmat – Complexity, Topology and Dynamics in Quantum Materials – will launch its new Grete Hermann Career Forge program with a kick-off meeting. This professional development program has been specifically designed for early-career women researchers pursuing an academic career. Five candidates have been selected for the first round of participants from a large pool of applicants.

A strong commitment to supporting women in science

“With the launch of the Grete Hermann Career Forge program, the Cluster of Excellence ctd.qmat is sending a strong signal in support of equal opportunity and academic excellence. The participants will have the opportunity to actively shape their careers, build professional networks, and learn from experienced mentors – in the spirit of the program’s namesake, Grete Hermann, who remains a role model for critical thinking and scientific courage,” says Dr. Alina Markova, Equal Opportunity Coordinator at ctd.qmat and coordinator of the program.

Participants for the program’s inaugural group were selected based on their academic qualifications, motivation, and capacity for critical self-reflection. After a highly competitive application process, five candidates were ultimately chosen to form the first generation of Career Forge participants and help pave the way for future intakes.

Program structure: Flexible, personalized, and hands-on

The program is aimed at female ctd.qmat doctoral researchers in the advanced stages of their PhD studies as well as female postdoctoral researchers in the early phases of their academic careers. Over the course of 18 months, participants will complete a modular program carefully tailored to their individual needs:

• workshops and training: Participants will strengthen key professional skills such as presentation techniques, media communication, and academic publishing through hands-on workshops and training sessions
• individual mentoring: Experienced researchers will serve as mentors; Through regular one-on-one meetings, participants will receive constructive feedback and personalized guidance
• networking opportunities: Networking events will enable participants to build connections both within and beyond their own institutions

Empowerment and career perspectives: What participants can expect

The program aims to empower early-career women researchers to actively shape their academic careers. Through Career Forge, participants will:

• gain greater clarity about their career goals
• develop a strategic career plan
• strengthen their academic profile and visibility
• gain insight into appointment procedures and research funding
• acquire key professional skills and expand their networks