Project Management Career Day 2025
Interested in managing complex projects, coordinating diverse teams, and steering large collaborations?
Join us for this year’s DKFZ Career Day and explore exciting career paths in Project Management!
This DKFZ Career Day includes two days of activities:
-
23rd October: Hands-on workshops to build practical skills, including sessions on project management software and a CV & Resume workshop tailored to help you prepare for your next career steps.
-
24th October: The main Career Day event, featuring inspiring alumni and professional talks, interactive round tables, panel discussions, and plenty of opportunities to network with project managers from academia, industry, and beyond.
Whether you are a doctoral researcher, postdoc, or seasoned project manager, this event is for you!
23rd October: Workshops Programme
Morning Workshop (9:00-12:00): PM Software
Trainer: Sam Umbaugh
This interactive workshop, held by Dr. C. "Sam" Umbaugh, introduces key concepts of project management and provides hands-on experience with project management software such as Trello and Jira. Participants will explore a model scientific project in Jira and work in breakout groups to translate their own projects into the tool. Participants can walk away with new project management skills that they can apply directly to their own projects and add to their resumes and CVs if they plan to pursue a career in project management. The session will conclude with reflections and a Q&A session.
Please bring a functional laptop so that you can work alongside the class.
Aftenoon Workshop (14:00-16:00): PM Transition (CV & Interviews)
Trainer: Manuel Berning
Curious about transitioning into Project Management?
Apply to join this interactive 4h workshop designed for PhD candidates to explore the transition into project management roles. Gain insights into the recruitment process, effective application strategies, and interview preparation. Hands-on activities include peer review and interview simulations to help you build practical experience and confidence! To apply for this training you have to submit a CV and cover letter for a mock position of "Associate Project Manager" in an industry setting (https://tinyurl.com/bdh8ybddw). Possibly, an anonymous version of your application can shared confidentially during the training. The deadline to apply is September 30, 2025. Selected participants will be informed by October 15, 2025.
24th October: Career Day Programme
| 08:30 – 9:00 | Registration |
| 09:00 – 09:15 | Welcome and opening remarks |
| 09:10 – 10:10 |
Session 1A: Consulting & Strategy ZS Consulting, Fresenius Group, Human Diagnostics Worldwide |
| 10:10 – 10:25 | Coffee Break |
| 10:25 – 11:40 |
Session 1B: Consulting & Strategy Merck, Boehringer Ingelheim |
| 11:40 – 13:10 | Lunch Break & Round Tables I |
| 13:10 – 14:10 |
Session 2: Industry Bachem, Heidelberg Pharma AG, Sophia Genetics |
| 14:10 – 15:10 | Coffee Break & Round Tables II |
| 15:10 – 16:50 |
Session 3: Academia EMBL, Heidelberg University |
| 16:50 – 17:00 | Closing Remarks |
| 17:00 – 20:00 | Get together Event |
Meet Our Speakers:
Session 1A+B: Consulting & Strategy
Alexander Hirth from ZS Associates
Carsten Bahr from Fresenius
Jasmin Zahn from Human Diagnostics Worldwide
Sebastian Baars from Merck
Mirko Sobotta from Boehringer Ingelheim
Session 2: Industry
Manuel Berning from Bachem
Annalisa Zuccotti from Heidelberg Pharma AG
Sreemukta Acharya from Sophia Genetics
Session 3: Academia
Isabela Paredes Cisneros from EMBL
Daniela Aviles-Huerta from Euro-Biolmaging
Philipp Worst from Heidelberg University
Ina Biermayer from Heidelberg University
End of the day Get together in collaboration with the PhD Council!
Don’t miss your chance to connect, learn, and grow! 🌱
