COMPASS Mentoring Program
The application phase for the 4th COMPASS Mentoring Program will open September 8 and close October 5, 2025. The program will start in January 2026.
The COMPASS Mentoring Program is targeted to postdocs and science managers (e.g. project coordinators, research unit managers) in the research field "Earth and Environment". It wants to support them in their personal career development and their professional networking, within and outside academia, in order for them to take informed and strategic decisions with regard to their future career pathways.
For more information on the program see here.
The program is a joined endeavour of the seven Helmholtz Centers in the research field "Earth and Environment" and collaborating partner Helmholtz centers.
The 18-month program consists of 4 workshops specifically tailored to career situations in science and science management, regular meetings between the program participants and their mentors and networking with the peer group. The workshop trainers will guide the mentees to find a fitting mentor for their individual concerns and develop a successful mentoring relationship.
The program will be held in English.
Workshop I - ‘Taking stock’: 12-13 February 2026 (on site - Potsdam)
Workshop II - ‘Career perspectives and conflicts’: 7-8 May 2026 (on site – Schloss Buchenau)
Workshop III - ‘Presentation training’: 5-6 November 2026 (on site - Potsdam)
Workshop IV - ‘Decision-making and outlook’: 12-13 May 2026 (online)
As a mentee of the COMPASS Mentoring Program you will be supported in your active and goal-oriented career development. A framework program is specifically tailored to career situations in science and science management. The experts running the program will guide you to find a fitting mentor for your individual concerns. Mentors can come from any field, academia as well as the private sector, public authorities or the non-profit sector. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with others at various events.
Mentees have to invest time and energy in the mentee-mentor relationship and in the program and need a contract for at least 12 months during the program period. Furthermore, your leader/PI must have been informed and consents.
Download the information sheet for COMPASS mentees here.
As a mentor you support the mentees with your experience and knowledge to take their next career steps. A mentor is someone who passes on their professional knowledge or experiential knowledge. COMPASS mentors can come from all professional fields, e.g. private sector, public authorities, the non-profit sector, freelancers and more.
A mentor
- invests time and attention for their mentee.
- engages with the mentee's concerns and contribute to their self-exploration.
- provides feedback on plans and goals, addresses risks and encourages the mentee to share their own experiences.
- shares their experiential knowledge and makes implicit knowledge transparent
The program intents the participation of the mentors in one online workshop and 3 - 6 meetings with their mentees.
Download the information sheet for COMPASS mentors here.
The program is open to a maximum of 24 participants from 7 Helmholtz Centers. Three places are available for postdocs and science managers (e.g. project coordinators, research unit managers) from KIT. The costs will be covered by the KIT CE Program.
Find some guiding questions for the application in this document. The link to the application platform will be published closer to the opening of the application phase.
Applicants will be informed about their acceptance in the 4th COMPASS cohort mid to end of October 2024. The 4th cohort will start with the first workshop in January 2026.