What is the CENIDE & Engineering Peer Mentoring?
This peer mentoring program is for researchers from CENIDE and the faculty of engineering at an early career stage (PhD students and early postdocs). Its goal is to develop the own personality and train important soft skills.
In a one-year period a self-defined goal should be reached with the help of a peer group, which consists of other motivated early career researchers and experienced mentors from different disciplines. This program offers the opportunity to learn a lot of things about yourself and to train personal skills, especially in (science) communication, negotiation and team-leading. Peer group meetings will follow the principle of a cooperative advice, which means that participants will be in both roles: a mentee who asks for advice but also a mentor, who gives advice. With mandatory appointments like workshops and seminars and a retreat a personal network is formed. In the end all participants will get a certificate for successful participation.
What can you expect?
- Personal development
- Identification and support of own abilities, like:
- Negotiation
- Team-leading
- How to express and achieve own goals
- Science Communication
- Cooperative advice in peer groups
- Create a lasting scientific network
Testimonials from former mentees and mentors:
Anna Ziefuß, mentor: "I signed up to share my experience as a mentor, but I ended up leaving with plenty of new perspectives myself. The Mentoring Program was a great reminder that learning goes both ways. Turns out, being the mentor doesn't mean you stop being the student."
Xiaoci Hu, mentee: "I really enjoy the workshops. The mentors created a welcoming and supportive atmosphere, and I was especially impressed by the way they communicated and also the peer groups. They always expressed their ideas in a calm, thoughtful, and mature manner, which inspired me to improve the way I communicate with others. Observing how they shared their perspectives gave me valuable insights into expressing my own ideas more clearly and effectively."
Jan Wegner, mentor: "I particularly appreciated the opportunity to consciously step away from everyday work and reflect on professional and personal development from a different perspective. The interdisciplinary exchange and open discussions were especially valuable and also gave me new insights and impulses."
Laud Adofo, mentee: "The mentoring programme allowed me to connect with senior researchers at CENIDE and gain valuable insights into prospects for a good research career. Through open discussions about career development, research trends, and overcoming obstacles, I developed a clearer perspective on how to stay resilient and make informed decisions about my future."
What events await you?
- Kickoff-Meeting in October
- New Year's Kickoff-Party in January
- Training Day with workshops and seminars
- Retreat including seminars and a meeting for mentors only
- Final Ceremony
- Peer group Meetings (approximately every 6-8 weeks, self-organized by peer group and mentors)
What could be potential goals?
- finish your recent research project or PhD thesis within one year
- build your own scientific network
- learn new things about project organisation and how to deal with stress
- boost your confidence in presentations
- and many more! It is up to you!
Who are the mentors?
| Name of Mentor | Function | Discipline |
| Dr. Klara Lünser | Group Leader in the working group "Applied Quantum Materials" from Prof. Gabi Schierning | Engineering |
| Dr. Fatih Özcan | Group Leader in the working group "Particle Science and Technology" from Prof. Doris Segets | Engineering |
| Dr. Niklas Jüngst | Group Leader in the working group "Reactive Fluids" from Prof. Christof Schulz | Engineering |
| Dr. Vineetha Vinayakumar | Group Leader in the working group "Particle Science and Technology" from Prof. Doris Segets | Engineering |
| Dr. Atreya Majumdar | Junior Research Leader in the working group "TWIST - Topological Whirls in SpinTronics" from Prof. Karin Everschor-Sitte | Physics |
| Dr. Benjamin Mockenhaupt | Group Leader of the working group "Catalysis" in the research group Technical Chemistry I from Prof. Stefan Barcikowski | Chemistry |
|
Prof. Katja Siebecke |
Group Leader of a working group in the Institute for Physiology, University Clinic Essen, | Medicine |
| .. & more to come! |
How to apply?
- Fill out the application form (personal data, academic background) and upload your CV here via this link
- Upload a short motivational letter of 1/2 page including your personal goal for this year
- Please note: for the best outcome the participation of the full one-year period is mandatory
- Duration of upcoming program: from October 2026 to September 2027
If you have any kind of question about the program, please get in touch with Maximilian Fellert (CENIDE) or Miriam Böhm (Engineering Faculty).
Additionally, there will be an online information event where you can ask your questions. This event will take place on Tuesday, September 8th 09:00 am. You can join using the following Zoom link: https://uni-due.zoom-x.de/j/63018053493?pwd=Ro9onQtuGGUoDj84qNL6jBM3FywG1p.1
We are looking forward to your applications!