Target group
We are looking for dedicated female Master's students from HTWK Leipzig who have a strong interest in science and are eager to gain more experience in this field. If you are proactive in advancing your own career development and possess the required technical knowledge according to the job description, you are exactly who we are looking for.
As part of the program, you will also participate in our comprehensive framework, which includes a kick-off event, career-specific workshops, and review meetings. Regular evaluations will also be conducted to ensure you get the most out of the program.
➔ Important: Female Master's students from all fields of study who will still be enrolled at the HTWK Leipzig for at least one year at the start of the program on April 1, 2025, are eligible to apply
Your opportunities as WHK
- Experience the scientific operations at HTWK Leipzig up close and gain insights into current and future research projects
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of the role of a university of applied sciences professor and the specific working conditions at a university of applied sciences
- Develop your own skills in scientific work further and plan individual strategies for a potential academic career
- Explore various research areas and funding opportunities for a PhD to shape your potential academic future
Personal positioning for career orientation: What can I do and where do I want to go?
Speaker: Andrea Dufner
Thursday, May, 15, 2025 from 09:00-12:30
Female Master's students and academic staff are in a very pioneering phase of their lives. The workshop is dedicated to possible professional fields of activity on the basis of a potential survey. In order to get closer to your own goals, it is necessary to think about your own life concept in terms of the future: Where do I want to live in five to ten years? Where do I want to be professionally and privately? What kind of life and ‘career’ would suit me? Do I want to have a ‘career’ at all?
Workshop description (only in German)
Registration deadline: 07.05.2025 (Registration via email to fsn (at) htwk-leipzig.de)
A career in science: understanding structures, developing strategies, planning concrete steps
Speaker: Annika Bartsch
Wednesday, October, 22, 2025 from 09:00-13:00
The aim of the workshop is to gain an overview of the academic system in Germany and to familiarise ourselves with various academic career paths. We will learn about the requirements of an academic career and how we can strategically prepare for it at an early stage. The workshop sensitises us to gender- and origin-specific challenges and offers a safe space to exchange experiences.
Workshop description (only in German)
Registration deadline: 13.10.2025 (Registration via email to fsn (at) htwk-leipzig.de)
Application
Application Deadline
You can apply for the advertised positions until December 1, 2024.
Documents
Please send your application by email (in a PDF) to fsn@htwk-leipzig.de. All information will be treated confidentially.
The following documents are required for your application:
- CV
- Motivation letter
- Proof of enrollment
Next Steps
The interviews are planned for January 2025.
FAQ
Target group
➡️ Who can apply to Compass2Career?
Applications are open to female Master's students at HTWK Leipzig from all faculties who will have been enrolled at the university for at least one year by the start of participation on 1 April 2025 and who are interested in both the career profile of the HAW professorship and in working in academia.
Time frame and type of activity
➡️ What is the duration of the WHK activity?
The duration of your WHK activity is two semesters or one year. During this time, you can work 10-19 hours per week, depending on your availability. This is determined at the beginning so that you can easily combine the WHK position with your studies. You can then determine the working hours, taking into account your study schedule and in consultation with your supervisor.
➡️ What tasks might the WHK position entail?
The tasks of a WHK can vary depending on the subject area, research field and the requirements of the professorship. At Compass2Career, we attach great importance to you gaining an insight into the academic world (research, teaching and transfer) and gaining valuable experience in the process. Typical fields of activity for research assistants include, for example
- Research support: WHKs can provide support in various research activities. This includes data collection, data analysis, literature research and collaboration in laboratories/workshops
- Support with research proposals: Assist in the preparation of significant proposal components for research proposals
- Support in the preparation of courses: e.g. by maintaining the OPAL platform and compiling teaching materials
- Support in the preparation of publications: In some cases, WHKs can assist in the preparation of research papers, reports or other publications by collecting literature sources, helping with writing or formatting
- Networking: Networking with (early career) researchers within the faculty and HTWK Leipzig
- Event support: WHKS can help with the preparation of larger events such as conferences, congresses or symposia
- Individual career planning: exploring potential (academic) career paths
➡️ What supporting programme does Compass2Career offer?
As a WHK on the Compass2Career programme, we support you during the year with three topic-specific workshops that are scheduled into your working hours. You will also start the programme with a kick-off event and get to know the other WHKs on the programme. During your time on the programme, you will also have the opportunity to hold three mentoring meetings with your mentor. At the end of the programme, there will be a short final review meeting. During your participation in the programme, you can also take part in events organised by the Female Scientists Network.
Selection procedure
➡️ How can I apply?
In the winter semester 2024/25, there will be advertisements for the WHK positions, which you are welcome to apply for if you are interested and have the right technical skills. The application documents include a letter of motivation (including details of your desired number of hours), your CV and a current certificate of enrolment. Send these documents in one PDF to fsn (at) htwk-leipzig.de by 01.12.2024.
➡️ How does the selection process and recruitment as a WHK work?
After the application deadline, the applications received will be reviewed and, if you are a formal fit, you will receive an invitation to an interview in a timely manner. These are scheduled for January 2025. If you are accepted onto the programme, we will send you all further information by email.
➡️ Can I only take part in the programme once?
If you have already been offered a WHK position in the Compass2Career programme, it is unfortunately not possible to participate again.
Others
➡️ Will I receive a reference at the end of my WHK employment?
You are entitled to an employer's reference at the end of your WHK employment. You can request this by e-mail from the Human Resources Department in due course. Please also name your contact person at the faculty and the Compass2Career project coordinator in the request.
➡️ Who can I contact if there are any problems during the WHK activity?
We want to make sure that your time as a WHK is a positive one. Please contact the project coordinator of the Female Scientists Network if you have any problems or conflicts.