It covers regular career development discussions and targeted feedback, flexible working arrangements, gaining leadership experience and teaching commitments. Opportunities for self-directed career development and the sharpening of personal academic profiles are also included to enable all postdocs to e.g. participate in conferences or realise research stays and publications.
This would all seem obvious on the face of it, but it is important to set out everything in writing together in one document. “Discussing and formulating the guidelines jointly with all involved target groups strengthens dialogue at HHU. It is also important that our appreciation of the work conducted by postdocs is made clear and that transparent framework conditions exist,” says Dr Uta Brunner, who is responsible for coordinating the formulation of the guidelines and related supporting measures. She continues: “Our guidelines are a living document – they are allowed to evolve and will undoubtedly do so.”