On the Path to a Career in Science: Mentoring Program Supports Female Doctoral Students
Wednesday, July 8, 2026 - 07:41 CET
Despite outstanding academic achievements and a passion for research, many women leave the university after completing their doctorate. Traditional gender stereotypes, the difficulty of balancing family and career, as well as unclear career prospects and a lack of networks all play a role in this decision. The Office for Gender Equality at the University of Hildesheim is addressing this issue by offering support to female researchers in the early stages of their careers through a new initiative.
As part of the Women Professors Program, the ProWissenschaft Mentoring project will launch in 2026. The goal is to advance women’s academic careers and increase the proportion of women in professorial positions. The program is designed for female doctoral students and postdocs and comprises two tracks: The track for female doctoral students will launch in the fall of 2026, followed by the track for postdocs the following year. Each track will run for one year.
“Women are still structurally disadvantaged in academia. Mentoring programs help identify existing barriers, reflect on them, and develop strategies to address them. They can provide targeted preparation for an academic career and thus increase the likelihood of success for female researchers in the early stages of their careers,” explains Dr. Silvia Lange, the university’s equal opportunity officer and project director.
The ProWissenschaft mentoring program consists of three components. Central to the program are the mentoring tandems: Each mentee forms a tandem with a mentor who has already reached a more advanced stage in their career. Mentors for female doctoral students are therefore experienced postdocs or professors. Postdocs, in turn, are mentored by professors. In regular meetings, the mentors share their practical knowledge and experience. In peer mentoring, mentees exchange experiences and strategies with one another in small groups. A support program is designed to teach key skills for an academic career. The workshops and lectures cover topics such as the structures of the academic system, offer tips on successful networking, and provide guidance on developing academic career strategies. The program is framed by a formal kickoff and closing event. “Mentoring provides an opportunity to discuss questions that often go unasked: What are the unspoken rules in my field? What’s the best way to build networks? What are the expectations for future female professors? Exchanging ideas with mentors and other mentees offers participants insights into a wide range of experiences and strategies,” emphasizes Dr. Jana Otto, the project coordinator.
Those interested can apply online. Requirements include an institutional affiliation with the University of Hildesheim and a career goal in academia. Female, trans, inter, or non-binary doctoral students from all disciplines are welcome.
Full details about the program and the application form are available here.
More information about the Women Professors Program can be found here.