Research Mentoring at TU Darmstadt

Since the beginning of February 2015, retired professors at TU Darmstadt are engaged in Research Mentoring at TU Darmstadt. The programme was implemented by the Executive Board. The main aim of Research Mentoring at TU Darmstadt is to help early career researchers to establish their own independent research focus, as one qualifying factor for an academic career. To this end, the highly respected Senior Scientific Advisor from the Humanities and Social Sciences as well as Natural and Engineering Sciences draw on their many years of experience in submitting their own proposal and in reviewing proposals of others.

Scope of Research Mentoring at TU Darmstadt

The main aim of Research Mentoring at TU Darmstadt is to help early career researchers establish their own independent research focus, as one qualifying factor for an academic career.

Research Mentoring comprises advice about

  • when, where and how to submit research grant proposals,
  • whether secondments are beneficial and where they best be spent,
  • which conferences are most beneficial,
  • and how to build up research-specific networks.

General comments on individual research proposals will be made, but in-depth, subject-related details will be left to discussions with experts in the field.

Research Mentoring is explicitly offered also to newly appointed professors at TU Darmstadt.

Mentoring should preferably take place in one-on-one meetings. In agreement with the respective mentor, mentoring can consist of single meetings or extend to long-term consultation.

Mentoring according to TU disciplines

Scientific Background Political Science
Motivation “Experiences gain in value if they are shared with those who can profit from them. Certainly, insights into review processes can be helpful for scholars applying for research projects. Therefore, it is a pleasure for me to advice young schientists as a research mentor and assist them to achieve their research goals.”
Experience Applications to DFG (Research Group, Research Training Group; Individual Projects) Volkswagen Foundation (opus magnum), Thyssen-Foundation, Participation in Applications in the context of European Research Funding
Member in: DFG-Review Board “Social Sciences” (2004-2008) and in the “Grants Committee for Collaborative Research Centres” of the DFG (2014-2019), Review Panel of the “NCCR Democracy Zürich” (Swiss National Science Foundation, 2005-2017), several Review Panels of the National Science Center Poland.
Reviews i.a. for DFG, Humboldt Foundation, Thyssen-Foundation Volkswagen Foundation, Swiss National Science Foundation, National Science Center Polen; European Science Foundation, Fonds National de la Recherche Scientifique, Belgium.
Homepage Institute for Political Science
Scientific Background Biology, specialized in Microbiology and Molecular Biology
Motivation “Mentoring younger researchers is always rewarding. For research grant proposals, I can share my experiences in writing and reviewing. It might be helpful to know more details on the reviewing process, and an independent view on the application is helpful to shape the presentation and focus on the important issues.”
Experiences “Over the years I wrote many successful research grant proposals for the German Research Funding Organization, DFG, such as individual Research Grants, Research Collaborations or Package Proposals. In addition, I was involved in a LOEWE Priority Program and applications with BMBF. As a member of two successive DFG research councils I am well acquainted with the review process at the DFG. Besides reviewing individual grant proposals, I have also experience with the DFG-Heisenberg- or Emmy-Noether programs and to examine Collaborative Research Programs. In addition, I review frequently research proposals for the Humboldt Foundation, VW-Stiftung and others.”
Homepage Microbiology and Archaea
Scientific Background Chemistry, Material Science
Motivation “I would like to pass on my experience in applying for and reviewing third-party funded projects to early career researchers at TU Darmstadt. A successful application depends on exact knowledge and interpretation of the calls‘ intention. Furthermore, it is essential to combine all parts of the research project into a convincing research approach. A critical appraisal might be helpful for this task.”
Experience Successful application of third-party funding projects from the German Research Foundation (DFG), the federal government, industry, the EU and LOEWE and participation in a large number of collaborative projects (including spokesperson and participation in excellence initiatives, vice spokesperson DFG-SFB, spokesperson DFG-SPP, EU priority areas, EU Graduate Schools).
Reviewer for the DFG (including member of the Review Board for Materials Science), DOE (USA), VW and Humboldt Foundation and other national and international funding institutions.
Homepage Surface Science
Scientific Background Fluid Mechanics and Aerodynamics
Motivation As a frequent reviewer of both grant applications and applications for fellowship, prizes or career appointments, I have come to recognize elements which make a proposal enticing and convincing. I am very eager to share this experience, especially with TUDa researchers.
Experiences DFG (SFB, SPP, GRK, EXIN), DAAD, AiF, BMBF, BMWi, ERC (StG, AdG), EU (FP6, FP7, H2020, ITN), ESA, Industry – Active with many national funding agencies, AvH, DAAD, ERC, EU, ESA, ExStr, and for appointments at numerous leading Universities in the world, Editor-in-Chief
Homepage Thermo-Fluids & Interfaces

At TU Darmstadt Senior Scientific Advisors support Early Career Researchers. Are you interested in personal advice in all questions related to career planning and research grants?

Please contact Ingenium to schedule an initial meeting:

Ingenium – Young researchers at TU offers for early career researchers workshops on Acquisition of Third Party Funding. Learn more