JUMP2 program – One Way to Tenure
JUMP2 is a professional development program specifically designed to address the needs of early-career research group leaders as well as junior and tenure-track professors. Its aim is to provide optimal support to scholars during a critical phase of their academic careers and to assist them in taking the next step in their professional development.
JUMP2 is coordinated by the University of Paderborn and implemented in cooperation with 11 additional universities across Germany as part of the “UA11” network. Faculty members from all partner universities are eligible to participate in the program’s activities.
Image: KI generiert| Upcoming events | |
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| JUMP2 Peer Coaching | |
Peer Coaching “Arriving and setting up: Getting off to a successful start in a leadership role” Organizer: Otto-von-Guericke-University of Magdeburg Speaker: Annette Hoeschen Date: 19 February 2026, 11 am
| The following meetings will be agreed upon at the initial meeting. Register by emailing annette.hoeschen@ovgu.de with your name, field of research and university, as well as the peer coaching you wish to register for. |
| Ways to Tenure | |
Think globally, act locally: How you can help shape internationalization at your university Organized by: Wübben Foundation for Science in cooperation with Paderborn University Speaker: Dr. Marion Müller Date: 29.01.2026, 1–3 pm | Internationalization does not begin with strategy papers, but with people – and as a junior research group leader or junior and tenure track professor, you play a crucial role in this process. Your international experience and networks contribute to how open, connected, attractive, and internationally compatible your university is and will be in the future. But to achieve this, you must also contribute your own international experience to the development of your university. In this workshop, you will learn how you can set priorities at your university to make its internationalization sustainable. The Wübben Foundation for Science sees itself as a strategic partner for universities in identifying, recruiting, and integrating international scientists. It promotes individuals who break new ground and invites them to continue developing these ideas together. Please register by emailing alexandra.wiebke[at]zv.uni-paderborn.de with your name, field of research, university, and the workshop you wish to register for. |
Pitch training: Presenting research convincingly Organized by: University of Trier Speaker: Sabrina Rohles Date: 06.02.2026, 09:30 am to 12:00 pm | As a junior research group leader and junior or tenure track professor, you have to present your research clearly, concisely and effectively - for example in third-party funding applications, specialist presentations or in interdisciplinary committees. In this practice-oriented workshop, you will develop your own pitch, learn about a proven structure and train to communicate content in a convincing way that is appropriate for your target group. You will strengthen your appearance, language and presence, practise presentation techniques in the digital space and receive constructive feedback from colleagues. At the end of the course, you will have a pitch that you can use for science communication or applications. Please register by e-mail to gut[at]uni-trier.de, stating your name, your Department and University as well as the workshop you would like to attend. |
What makes the DFG unique as a funding organisation, and how does it actually operate? Organized by: DFG in cooperation with Paderborn University Speaker: Dr. Anjana Buckow Date: 19.02.2026, 2–4 pm | This workshop offers insights into the German Research Foundation (DFG) – Germany’s central self governing research funding organization. Participants will learn about its mission, structure, and role within the German research system. We will discuss the peer-review process and the roles of reviewers and elected review board members. The session also covers the typical application procedure, decision-making criteria, and relevant funding programmes for advanced postdocs, such as the Heisenberg Programme. Finally, we will highlight the host institution’s role in supporting DFG applications. Please register by emailing alexandra.wiebke[at]zv.uni-paderborn.de with your name, field of research, university, and the workshop you wish to register for. |
| Ways to Effective (Self-) Leadership | |
The Impostor Phenomenon in Academic Leadership: Insights and Strategies Organized by: University of Greifswald Speaker: Dr. Simone Freitag Date: 06.03.2026, 9 am to 4 pm | The Impostor Phenomenon describes persistent self-doubt and fear of being exposed as a fraud despite evident success – a feeling common among high achievers. In academic leadership, where visibility and expectations rise, such doubts can be particularly challenging. This workshop invites early-career leaders to understand the phenomenon from psychological and professional perspectives, reflect on beliefs about competence and success, and develop strategies to strengthen confidence and academic identity through input, reflection, practical exercises, and peer exchange in a supportive group setting. Please register by emailing michael.schoener[at]uni-greifswald.de with your name, field of research, university, and the workshop you wish to register for. |
Systematic personnel selection - well-founded, transparent and fair in terms of opportunities Organized by: RPTU University Kaiserslautern Landau Speaker: Lena Getto Date: planned 26.03.2026, 9 am to 1 pm
| How can selection decisions be made objectively, comprehensibly and fairly? This practice-oriented workshop covers the entire process of systematic personnel selection and offers impulses for structured, competence-based decision-making. You will learn everything from requirements analysis and questioning techniques in interviews to observation, evaluation and how to deal with possible assessment errors. The informative value of various selection elements is also discussed. Interactive exercises support the direct transfer to your own selection context and promote the application of what you have learned in practice. Registration by e-mail to ref7-jump2[at]rptu.de, stating your name, department and university as well as the workshop you wish to register for |
Strengthening psychological safety in teams Organized by: RPTU University Kaiserslautern Landau Speakerin: Dr. Caroline Marker Date: planned 6.04.2026, 9:30 am to 4 pm
| Psychological safety is a key success factor for teamwork. It describes an environment in which team members can freely express their thoughts and concerns without fear of negative consequences or rejection. This promotes learning, growth and innovation and increases motivation, satisfaction and well-being. The workshop is aimed at junior research group leaders as well as junior and tenure-track professors. They will learn what psychological safety means, how to assess the status in their team and how to apply concrete strategies to create a supportive, high-performing work environment. Please register by emailing ref7-jump2[at]rptu.de with your name, field of research, university, and the workshop you wish to register for. |
| Sharpening the research profile - using research funding strategically for the career path to a professorship | |
JUMP2 compact workshop with individual coaching (24.11.2026 in the afternoon and 25.11.2026 all day) Venue: Online Organizer: University of Kassel, Department of Strategic Personnel and Organizational Development Target groups: Junior research group leaders, tenure-track professors Date: 24.11.2026, 9:30 am - 1:00 pm | Increasing competitive pressure within the national and international academic system has led to researchers and the institutions at which they work (having to) apply for funding with projects and programs in ever shorter time periods. However, not every program is equally useful for realizing the goals of individual researchers or the plans of working groups or Institutes. In addition, selection or appointment committees increasingly expect applicants to present strategic concepts for the development of their own research and the acquisition of third-party funding. This workshop therefore aims to support participants in acting strategically with a view to their own further career goals and academic ambitions or to focus on institutional objectives.
First and last name, subject area, university and official e-mail address Registration link for members of the University of Kassel: veranstaltungen.uni-kassel.de/event/das-forschungsprofil-scharfen-forschungsforderung-strategisch-nutzen-fur-den-karriereweg-zur-professur |
The program is open to all early-career research group leaders as well as junior and tenure-track professors at the University of Kassel.
In addition to the University of Kassel, the following universities within the University Alliance (UA11) are involved in JUMP2:
University of Bielefeld
University of Greifswald
Otto von Guericke-University Magdeburg
Saarland University
University of Wuppertal
The Rhineland-Palatinate Technical University Kaiserslautern-Landau
Leuphana University Lüneburg
University of Paderborn
University of Potsdam
University of Siegen
University of Trier
All activities are generally held online. There are no mandatory workshops or sessions; participants select the activities that best match their individual needs. There is no minimum or maximum number of activities that participants are required to attend.
JUMP2 peer coaching offers participants the opportunity to connect with early-career research group leaders as well as junior and tenure-track professors from different disciplines and universities. In small groups meetings, participants discuss current challenges, exchange experiences, and support one another on the path toward a tenured professorship.
Sessions are facilitated by JUMP2 coordinators and are typically held online.
In the coming months, participants will have the opportunity to exchange with colleagues who either
(a) have taken up their position within the past two years, or
(b) are expecting an (interim) evaluation within the next year.
Future JUMP2 announcements on the website may also include peer coaching formats with different thematic foci. Participants are welcome to contact us in advance with suggestions for topics.
As part of the JUMP2 program, we offer Future Leader Mentoring, which connects participants with established professors from one of our 11 partner universities. The goal of JUMP2 Future Leader Mentoring is to support the further development of participants’ academic profiles, provide targeted guidance for appointment to a tenured professorship, and expand their professional networks.
The JUMP2 qualification program offers professional development workshops designed to support participants at their current career stage. The workshops are explicitly and exclusively targeted at early-career research group leaders as well as junior and tenure-track professors at the participating universities. They are generally held online and are organized around three thematic areas: pathways to a tenured professorship, navigating everyday academic life, and pathways to effective (self-)leadership.
Detailed registration information on the individual modules and events can be found under "Upcoming events".
Participation is free of charge for members of the University of Kassel and the other partner universities.