Postdoc application Germany
Tips for a successful postdoc application
What needs to be considered when applying for a postdoc position? © Liubomyr Vorona / iStock
The most important element of an application for a postdoctoral position is a cover letter that successfully conveys why the applicant wants to do work in a particular field. This article also provides detailed information about the other requirements in a postdoc application.
Updated: 2024-12-10
The core elements of a postdoc application
Postdocs are generally defined as all researchers who have completed their doctorate but who have not yet obtained their habilitation (the qualification in most European countries to become a professor). They work in research at universities, research institutions or in industry and in many cases are seeking to obtain a habilitation or comparable advanced qualification. Those wishing to apply for an advertised position should include the following documents:
- "motivation"/cover letter
- curriculum vitae
- certificates of academic qualifications
- a list of published work, if applicable
- a sample teaching plan, if applicable
- letters of recommendation, if applicable.
It is also possible that job postings will stipulate the submission of additional documents, including an "exposé", cover letter outlining the applicant’s research proposal or project, or an overview of previous teaching experience. Reading the job listing carefully and strictly adhering to application deadlines is essential. An application submitted even few minutes too late might not be considered.
Submitting a photo along with the CV is a standard practice in German-speaking countries. But equal rights rules should ensure that appearance does not play a role in the selection process, either consciously or unconsciously. Application procedures for a university position are usually only marginally different from those in other fields, such as in business and industry, which do not contain a teaching component.
The "motivation"/cover letter for a postdoc application
According to Prof. Dr. Hubert Detmer of the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers, the cover letter, known in Germany as the "motivation letter", is the most essential element of the postdoc application. Ideally around two-pages in length, the letter should actively highlight why the candidate is interested in conducting scientific work in that particular field of research and why it should be done at the institution doing the hiring – and why the applicant is the most-suited candidate for the position. At the end of the letter, the applicant should also articulate a vision that is consistent with the corresponding department of the research institution. That vision should outline the research priorities the prospective postdoc would like to pursue if hired for the listed position.
It is also advantageous to tap into one’s network within the department to learn more about the potential employer in advance. Even a phone call to the contact person listed in the job posting can be immensely helpful in terms of obtaining more detailed information about the area of research.
The cover letter should be forward-looking and not just a list of past experiences. The main skills acquired can be covered in a few sentences, with references back to the CV.
Academic curriculum vitae for a postdoc application
Along with the stages of an applicant’s professional career and their specific academic career, including the degrees completed, the most relevant information in the CV of a postdoctoral application are the publications to date and teaching experience amassed in the relevant field. If the lists of publications, teaching and lectures given seem too long for the CV, they can be included as a separate attachment.
It is also important for applicants to include soft skills and other abilities and experience. These can include things like foreign-language skills and professional stays abroad, IT skills, experience in leading working groups or in academic self-administration – participation in examination or selection (appointment) committees, for example. Presentations given at conferences or congresses should also be included in the curriculum vitae. If they do not explicitly demonstrate the applicant’s suitability, then hobbies, leisure activities, etc. are inappropriate in a CV for a postdoc application.
Further documents for a postdoc application
In general, an applicant’s postdoctoral application should emphasise suitability for the specifics listed in the job posting. The attachment of university diplomas and doctorate degree is generally obligatory.
Even if not explicitly listed in the call for applicants, sending in additional documents can be beneficial, provided they contain information that is meaningful to the application. A letter of recommendation is only required in some cases, but early in an academic career, it is good to submit such recommendations from doctoral advisers or thesis supervisors, even if it isn’t a prerequisite.
If teaching is part of a postdoc’s duties, it is perfectly reasonable to include a brief teaching plan, even if this is not explicitly required. This should show, more extensively than in the curriculum vitae, the applicant’s past teaching achievements and include evaluations or evidence of advanced teacher training. The applicant can also briefly outline how they might approach the teaching duties described in the call for applications.
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Recognition of foreign degrees in Germany
When applying from abroad, candidates will need to have their academic degree officially recognised. In most cases, degree recognition is the responsibility of the university or research institution. Candidates submit copies of their degree certificates with their application.
In some cases, the institution might request additional documentation, like certified translations of certificates or transcripts. This can often depend on the country where a candidate studied. Find more information here: Getting a foreign diploma recognised in Germany – requirements and tips.
