Target group: Postdocs, Junior and Tenure Track Professors Language: English Duration of the program: 4 months
The application deadline for the new English-language Research Management & Leadership program for the 2026–27 period has passed.
Photo: Adobe Stock | canva
Program overview
The program Research Management & Leadership equips postdocs, junior and tenure track professors with fundamental and research-relevant methods and instruments of management. In four workshop units, participants learn to strengthen their leadership, communication and project management skills. The topic funding is included as its own workshop. The program’s main idea is to go beyond general management principles by considering the nature of academic research, comprehensively bridging the gap between management skills on the one hand and research projects on the other hand.
Program participant
„This course delivered clear, applicable guidance on managing research programs and leading high-performing teams. [...] I left with concrete tools that I can immediately apply to improve efficiency, collaboration, and research impact.“
Program goals
Learning the basics of efficient projectmanagement
Strengthen communication and conflict resolution skills
Getting to know how to successfully acquire external funding
Strengthen leadership and team skills
2026–27 cohort
Below you will find all the information regarding the program content, dates, and application procedures for the new Research Management & Leadership Program for the 2026/27 cohort. A concise overview is also available as a downloadable PDF document in the download box below.
Program Schedule
The program includes a brief introductory session and four mandatory workshops which are led by experienced trainers who have extensive expertise in the respective fields.
Please note that the program can only be booked as a complete package.
Tab. 1 Overview of the dates of the program Research Management & Leadership 2026/2027 including the working units (WU = 45 min.).
Date
Topic / Format
WU
Nov 10, 2026
Kick-off Meeting / online, 01:00 - 02:30 pm
2
Nov 19+20, 2026
Workshop 1
Lateral Leadership in Research / in-person, 09:00 am - 04:00 pm
12
Dec 14+15, 2026
Workshop 2
Project Management / in-person, 09:00 am - 04:00 pm
12
Jan 14+15 & 25+26, 2027
Workshop 3
Grant Proposal Writing / online, 09:00 am - 12:30 pm
16
Feb 11+12, 2027
Workshop 4
Communication & Conflict Resolution / in-person, 09:00 am - 04:00 pm
12
March 02, 2027
Reflection / online, 12:30 pm - 02:00 pm
2
Free childcare can be arranged in Potsdam during the in-person workshops.
Workshop 1: Lateral Leadership in Research - Nov 19+20, 2026 Trainer: Sven Aden
As a researcher typically you do not hold a formal supervisory position over your team members, students or service providers. Instead, you lead as a peer, working collaboratively and on an equal footing. This workshop explores how to lead effectively without formal authority. Participants will learn practical approaches to lateral leadership based on influence, collaboration, and trust.
Key topics
The specific context and challenges of leadership in academic research
A leadership framework: the Nine Leadership Roles
The distinctive characteristics of lateral leadership
Six key success factors of lateral leadership: creating a shared vision, building trust, being useful, facilitating communication, leading by example, and negotiating effectively
Informal sources of influence and "soft" power
Fundamentals of motivation: interests, values, and needs
Facilitating collaborative decision-making and problem-solving
Assessing your own leadership competencies and developing a personal leadership development plan
Methods The workshop combines a variety of interactive learning methods, including individual and group exercises, short input sessions, plenary discussions, peer exchange, experiential activities, and role plays
Workshop 2: Project Management - Dez 14+15, 2026 Trainer: Dr. Alexander Egeling
In this workshop, you will learn the basics to plan a complex research project and ensure that it is implemented efficiently.
Key topics
Classical content and resource planning incl. Gantt and network techniques
Agile processes and techniques incl. Kanban and Scrum
Fundamentals of financial and resource planning
Analysis and management of environmental influences, stakeholders and risk
Best practices for everyday productivity
Methods Interactive and dynamic structure, short sequences from frontal input, lots of individual and group work
Workshop 3: Grant Proposal Writing - Jan 14+15 & 25+26, 2027 Trainer: Dr. Sabine Preusse
In this workshop, you will get an overview of funding programs and how you can use them to advance your career as a researcher. You develop your own idea for a research project proposal into an initial work plan. You will understand how to tailor your research project to the funding program to increase your chances of receiving funding and learn the basics of budget planning.
Key topics
Identification of the right funding programme
Setting up a concept for the project
Structuring the proposal
Coordination of the proposal writing and submission process
Methods presentation of background information, applying the “RaumZeit toolkit” to your own idea for a research project, group work, feedback from trainer and peers
Workshop 4: Communication and conflict resolution - Feb 11+12, 2027 Trainer: Dr. Merlinda Dalipi
This workshop equips postdoctoral researchers with essential skills in communication and conflict resolution, focusing on leadership in diverse academic environments. Through interactive methods, participants will enhance their ability to manage intercultural teams, navigate conflicts effectively, and foster productive collaboration in research settings.
Key topics
The impact of culture on communication and leadership in international academic teams
Conflict resolution strategies, including mediation and de-escalation techniques
Intercultural communication and leadership
Practical Case Analysis and Strategies
Methods Theory inputs relevant to academic practice, self-reflection exercises, case study analyses from academic settings, peer exchange and discussion, coaching elements
Workshop 5: Reflection - March 02, 2027
Conditions of participation and program fees
The program is targeted at Postdocs, Junior and Tenure Track Professors. If you are a PhD candidate and are interested in participating, please contact the program coordinator to check if participation is possible.
If you are located at the University of Potsdam, you must be a member of the Potsdam Graduate School to participate in the program. You can apply for membership at any time free of charge.
Please refer to the table below for the program fees that apply to you.
Tab. 2 Program fees for the Research Management & Leadership Program for the different status groups.
Institution
Program Fees
University of Potsdam
150 €
Postdoc Network Brandenburg2
150 €
PoGS Partner Institutions
1,799 €
External Institutions
2,159 €
2 That is: Brandenburg University of Technology (BTU) Cottbus-Senftenberg, European University Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder), Film University Babelsberg Konrad Wolf, Brandenburg University of Applied Sciences (THB), Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development (HNEE), Technical University of Applied Sciences Wildau (TH Wildau), University of Applied Sciences Potsdam (FH Potsdam).
For applicants from partner institutions and external organizations, program costs should be covered by the respective institution. Please inquire before applying to determine whether cost coverage is possible. Have this confirmed on the provided form (“Declaration of Cost Coverage”) and include it with your application materials.
If you do not participate in the program, a refund of the participation fee paid or due is only possible if you cancel in writing via email at least 10 days before the program starts. There will be no partial refund of the participation fee for non-participation in individual workshops.
