COMPASS Mentoring Program
The program is aimed at postdocs and science managers (e.g. project coordinators, research unit managers) ready to engage in strategic career building and decision-making.
COMPASS Mentoring is a cooperation among the seven Helmholtz Centers in the research field Earth & Environment and collaborating partner Helmholtz centers. The entire program will be conducted in English.
Download the information sheet here !
Q&A Session - 9 September, 2.30 - 3.30 pm (online)
Join the Q&A Session for the COMPASS Mentoring Program. Ask us your questions about the mentoring program and gain valuable insights from mentees of the previous cohort. Don’t miss out!
Zoom access data:
Meeting-ID: 674 6383 9619
Kenncode: 211026
The Program
|
Workshop I |
13 & 14 February 2025 Potsdam |
| Workshop II |
26 & 27 June 2025 Potsdam |
| Workshop III |
20 & 21 November 2025 Schloss Buchenau |
| Workshop IV |
28 & 29 May 2026 Online |
An overview sheet with further information on the workshops is available for download here.
|
Workshop I |
12 & 13 February 2026 On-site (Potsdam) |
| Workshop II |
7 & 8 May 2026 On-site (Schloss Buchenau) |
| Workshop III |
5 & 6 November 2026 On-site (Potsdam) |
| Workshop IV |
12 & 13 May 2027 Online |
As a mentee of the COMPASS Mentoring program you will be supported in your active and goal-oriented career development. A framework program is specifically tailored to career situations in science and science management. The experts running the program will guide you to find a fitting mentor for your individual concerns. Mentors can come from any field, academia as well as the private sector, public authorities or the non-profit sector. Furthermore, you will have the opportunity to meet and exchange ideas with others at various events.
Mentees have to invest time and energy in the mentee-mentor relationship and in the program and need a contract for at least 12 months during the program period. Furthermore your leader/PI must has been informed and consents.
As a mentor you support the mentees with your experience and knowledge to take their next career steps.
Someone who passes on their professional knowledge or experiential knowledge. COMPASS mentors can come from all professional fields, e.g. private sector, public authorities, the non-profit sector, freelancers and more.
A mentor…- invests time and attention for their mentee.
- engages with the mentee's concerns and contribute to their self-exploration.
- provides feedback on plans and goals, addresses risks and encourages the mentee to share their own experiences.
- shares their experiential knowledge and makes implicit knowledge transparent
The program intents the participation of the mentors in one online workshop and 3 - 6 meetings with their mentees.
Download the information sheet for COMPASS mentors here !
The program is open to a maximum of 24 participants. Three places are available for the UFZ. To apply for the programme you need to fill in an application form and answer some guiding questions.
A document with the
guiding questions
can be downloaded here.
The application period for the next round (2026/2027) will start in September 2025.
Please note: If your current contract expires during the program period, the extension of the contract must be intended by your leader.
COMPASS Mentoring is a cooperation among the seven Helmholtz Centers in the research field Earth & Environment and collaborating partner Helmholtz centers.
