We warmly invite KCDS Fellows and Supervisors (and those interested in KCDS) to a get-together at the Karlsruhe Christmas Market. One of the aims of this meeting is to foster communication between doctoral researchers and their supervisors. This refers not only to communication between doctoral researchers and their own supervisors, but also to exchange between doctoral researchers and the supervisors of other doctoral researchers. Since all doctoral researchers within KCDS work interdisciplinarily on topics from at least two research areas, conversations with experts from various fields can be particularly fruitful. Whether you are interested in potential future collaborations or simply in informal discussions, this meeting is an excellent opportunity to initiate contact.
Before heading to the Christmas Market, we will meet in the atrium of the Mathematics Building (Building 20.30, ground floor), where we will start with a brief round of introductions.

Two-day interactive on-site workshop (March 5+6, 2026)
 
Only few PhD graduates stay at the university in the medium term and the most optimistic estimates give only 10 % of PhDs a realistic chance of attaining a professorship. Therefore, it is very wise for scientists to start exploring alternative career paths early on. Several obstacles stand in the way: the intense focus on the dissertation and the resulting lack of time, doubts and fears about career prospects both inside and outside academia, and the shortage of concrete strategies and role models.
 
This workshop offer is intended to give doctoral candidates and postdocs the opportunity to deal specifically with the topic of possible career prospects outside of their academic career – be it to have a good "plan B", be it to concretize perspectives and take their first steps.   Note: This workshop is primarily aimed at the German‑speaking job market. Please consider our other workshop offer in April for the international job market.   The workshop is offered exclusively for KCDS members and members of the CRC Wave Phenomena. Non-members may sign up for a place on the "stand-by" waiting list via the KCDS intranet portal.   Registration
Please visit the KCDS intranet portal to register for this course.
For non-members of KCDS:
In order to sign up for a "stand-by" place for this course, a KCDS guest/non-member account is necessary.
If you don't have an account yet, you can register here: Create a KCDS account to book courses
Once your account is activated by a KCDS administrator, you will be able to book the course.

Two-day interactive on-site workshop (March 5+6, 2026)
 
Only few PhD graduates stay at the university in the medium term and the most optimistic estimates give only 10 % of PhDs a realistic chance of attaining a professorship. Therefore, it is very wise for scientists to start exploring alternative career paths early on. Several obstacles stand in the way: the intense focus on the dissertation and the resulting lack of time, doubts and fears about career prospects both inside and outside academia, and the shortage of concrete strategies and role models.
 
This workshop offer is intended to give doctoral candidates and postdocs the opportunity to deal specifically with the topic of possible career prospects outside of their academic career – be it to have a good "plan B", be it to concretize perspectives and take their first steps.   Note: This workshop is primarily aimed at the German‑speaking job market. Please consider our other workshop offer in April for the international job market.   The workshop is offered exclusively for KCDS members and members of the CRC Wave Phenomena. Non-members may sign up for a place on the "stand-by" waiting list via the KCDS intranet portal.   Registration
Please visit the KCDS intranet portal to register for this course.
For non-members of KCDS:
In order to sign up for a "stand-by" place for this course, a KCDS guest/non-member account is necessary.
If you don't have an account yet, you can register here: Create a KCDS account to book courses
Once your account is activated by a KCDS administrator, you will be able to book the course.

One-day interactive on-site workshop (April 24, 2026)
 
Only few PhD graduates stay at the university in the medium term and the most optimistic estimates give only 10 % of PhDs a realistic chance of attaining a professorship. Therefore, it is very wise for scientists to start exploring alternative career paths early on. Several obstacles stand in the way: the intense focus on the dissertation and the resulting lack of time, doubts and fears about career prospects both inside and outside academia, and the shortage of concrete strategies and role models.
 
This workshop offer is intended to give doctoral candidates and postdocs the opportunity to deal specifically with the topic of possible career prospects outside of their academic career – be it to have a good "plan B", be it to concretize perspectives and take their first steps.   Note: This workshop is aimed at the international job market. Please consider our other workshop offer in March if you are specifically interest in working in Germany or other German-speaking countries.   The workshop is offered exclusively for KCDS members and members of the CRC Wave Phenomena. Non-members may sign up for a place on the "stand-by" waiting list via the KCDS intranet portal.   Registration
Please visit the KCDS intranet portal to register for this course.
For non-members of KCDS:
In order to sign up for a "stand-by" place for this course, a KCDS guest/non-member account is necessary.
If you don't have an account yet, you can register here: Create a KCDS account to book courses
Once your account is activated by a KCDS administrator, you will be able to book the course.