Science Management
It seems well known that good management is an important component for the success of companies and businesses. It is no different for large scientific institutions such as colleges and universities. Science also needs to be managed, and science managers are responsible for this. They form the interface between administration and science and combine parts of both areas in their activities. This relatively new occupational field is thus responding to a structural change in the German science system. Increasing complexity and national and international competition have encouraged and continue to encourage the expansion of administrative and management tasks at German universities, which is why researchers are now also talking about the emergence of a so-called "third space" alongside administration and science.
Important positions in science management are therefore, on the one hand, administrative positions in the faculties and departments, such as the faculty management, the head of department, the rectorate or the office of the dean.On the other hand, positions are also located in the large number of research institutions and scientific organization. An overview of the structures and types of universities can be found in the occupational field of Science and Academia.
Classic fields of work for science managers include the complex management of scientific projects, the tendering and conception of funding programmes, the monitoring, evaluation and improvement of university didactics (e.g. teaching awards, development of e-learning courses, etc.), quality management (e.g. support in the development of degree programmes), the management and acquisition of third-party funds, knowledge transfer, the organization and hosting of events and conferences, gender equality work, and much more.
As the range of subject areas shows, this is a very diverse field of activity that is constantly becoming more differentiated due to the increasing demands placed on universities. If you come from an academic background, you have good opportunities, especially for positions within the faculties, as an internal perspective can make the balancing act between administration and academia easier. Otherwise, organizational skills, experience in submitting applications and acquiring third-party funding, evaluation and event organization are particularly helpful. Research assistant positions alongside studying are a good opportunity to start a career in science, for positions with responsibility a master degree is often required. If the described typical activities in science management overlap with research activities and/or the responsibility is especially high a PhD degree is often required. In addition, it is advisable to specialize in a specific subject area (e.g. internationalization, research funding, diversity, quality assurance, information management, etc.).