Journey to a doctorate Anniversary: Ten years of the Graduate Academy GradTUBS at Technische Universität Braunschweig
The Graduate Academy GradTUBS at Technische Universität Braunschweig, founded in 2015, has become the central point of contact for doctoral students wishing to develop their soft skills and gain career-relevant knowledge. The exceptionally wide range of courses, offered in both German and English, covers topics such as writing scientific papers, communication, project management, and strategies for professional development. The Graduate Academy is also evolving to support doctoral candidates on their “journey to a doctorate”.
GradTUBS anniversary cake: The graduate support programme was founded in 2015 and has become the central point of contact for doctoral candidates. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
From the very beginning, the GradTUBS Graduate Academy has been jointly supported by all six faculties of TU Braunschweig. “The GradTUBS Council plays a central role in this,” says Karoline von Hahn, coordinator of the Graduate Academy. “The council acts as a supervisory and control body and decides on all matters relating to the strategic and content-related orientation of the graduate academy.” The council is made up of doctoral students and professors from all faculties, ensuring a constant exchange of information about needs and offerings. Since 2021, the Braunschweig University of Art (HBK) has also been an official cooperation partner and is involved in the council.
“Thanks to comprehensive quality management using surveys, feedback forms and a suggestion box, all participating doctoral students are also involved in shaping the programme,” adds Dr Jessica Brensing, a GradTUBS coordinator.
Synergies of staff development programmes
Following the organisational merger of programmes within the Central Staff Development Department (ZPE) in January 2023, close communication has been maintained with the coordinators of the two TU programmes: the “Prof. Programme” and the “Postdoc Programme”.
“Consolidating all personnel development programmes in the ZPE creates synergies and facilitates cross-target-group exchange, as well as offering a different perspective on our programmes,” says Anne Fleige, who is part of the ZPE leadership team.
The GradTUBS team with the Head of Central Staff Development at TU Braunschweig and GradTUBS Council Chair Prof. Ulrich Römer. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
Prof. Ulrich Römer, GradTUBS Council Chair, opens the anniversary event on 13 February 2026 at the Haus der Wissenschaft. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
Karoline von Hahn, coordinator of the Graduate Academy, introduces the participants. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
TU happiness researcher Tobias Rahm provided inspiration for personal well-being. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
Presented on the anniversary: the research diary as a new support format at the Graduate Academy. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
The brochure of the Graduate Academy GradTUBS, "Doing a PhD with a course". Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
Symbolic islands during the anniversary celebrations provided information for doctoral students: the Research Services of TU Braunschweig and the University Library as a "treasure island". Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
Doctoral students in conversation. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
The Alumni and Career Service Centre in conversation with doctoral students. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
The doctoral student representative as a point of contact. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
The GradTUBS team with President Prof. Angela Ittel. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
President Prof. Angela Ittel gives the welcoming address: She emphasised the importance of GradTUBS in research and as an indispensable element in funding scientific careers. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
Prof. Martin Korte gave a lecture on the credibility of science and creative thinking processes during the GradTUBS anniversary celebrations at the Haus der Wissenschaft. Photo credit: Silja Klemenz/TU Braunschweig
Tailor-made, practical, unbureaucratic
Today, over 1,200 doctoral students at TU Braunschweig and HBK use the programme. The portfolio ranges from workshops on scientific papers and time management to courses on project management, application and negotiation training, and finally offers for dissertation preparation. The writing workshop, in which participants work on their own texts, is particularly popular. Feedback from the evaluation forms confirms the high quality and practicality of the formats – as well as the fast, unbureaucratic support provided by the GradTUBS team.
Anniversary: Festive island tour
Once again, the doctoral students took centre stage at the anniversary celebrations. The chair of the GradTUBS council, Prof. Ulrich Römer, invited the doctoral students on a journey of discovery in the auditorium. At various “islands”, the doctoral offices, the Doctoral Council, the Research Services, the Alumni and Career Service Centre and the Occupational Health Management team provided information on various aspects of everyday doctoral life. The Graduate Academy also presented its new research diary in addition to its range of services.
The supporting programme offered inspiration and provided an opportunity for lively discussion: Tobias Rahm’s short lecture on happiness opened the event, after which all interested parties were able to explore the “islands”. TU President Angela Ittel emphasised the importance of GradTUBS in research, highlighting its indispensable role in fulfilling the university’s mission to promote scientific careers.
“I still remember my own doctoral studies in the USA. There are phases of clarity. And phases when you think, “I’ve read so much – and still can’t find the right words.” It is precisely in these moments that it is so crucial whether you are on your own – or whether there are structures in place to support you. GradTUBS is one such structure.”
– TU President Angela Ittel
In conclusion, Prof. Martin Korte made an urgent appeal to the scientific community in his lecture “Trust me, I’m a Scientist” to uphold and defend the credibility and integrity of research as an indispensable core value of university research.
Outlook: New horizons
The GradTUBS team has developed something new for doctoral students to look forward to in 2026: a research diary containing structuring templates and reflection aids, as well as project management coaching for individuals and teams.
With these building blocks, the Graduate Academy aims to continue supporting doctoral candidates on their challenging “journey to a doctorate”, helping them through difficult periods and providing guidance on career-related and doctoral issues. One thing remains unchanged, however: the doctorate is more than just an academic qualification – it shapes the future of TU Braunschweig and its researchers.
Text: Graduate Academy GradTUBS