R2 Mentoring Program for International Postdocs
Mentoring for international early career postdocs 2–3 years post-PhD) seeking to expand their career horizons. This program is for postdocs considering to become a professor or interested in getting to know career paths beyond academia.
Program overview
- Duration: 3 months (November 2026 – February 2027)
- Format: Tandem mentoring with mentors/experts inside and outside academia
- Language: English
- Kick-off event: 24 November 2026 in Cologne
- Structure:
- 1:1 mentoring sessions (around 2-3 meetings)
- Peer mentoring & networking opportunities
- Personalized career guidance (mentoring & strategic career planning workshop)
- Insights into academic and industry/business career paths
- Kick-off & closing events
- Certificate of participation
Collaboration platform & expertise
R2 mentees benefit from the multifaceted expertise from the members of the cooperation platform.
Our members are:
- Deutscher Hochschulverband (German Association of University Professors and Lecturers)
- Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e.V. (DLR) (German Aerospace Center)
- Hochschullehrerbund Landesverband NRW (Professional Association of Professors at Universities of Applied Sciences in Germany, NRW)
- KölnBusiness Wirtschaftsförderungs-GmbH (The Economic Development Agency of Cologne)
- TH Köln - University of Applied Sciences
- Universität zu Köln (University of Cologne)
- VDI - Kölner Bezirksverein e.V. (Verband Deutscher Ingenieure VDI - Cologne Regional Association e.V.)
Depending on their career goals, mentors and experts from these institutions support mentees by bridging academic and industry perspectives, fostering collaboration between universities and businesses, and unlocking shared transfer potential.
| This program is a pilot initiative by the Platform for Successful Models of Academics' Career, Staff and Life Plan Development e.V. |