Leadership Skills for Early Career Researchers
15.06.2026Develop your leadership and communication skills in a targeted way. LEAP 4 ECR prepares doctoral researchers and postdoctoral researchers for future leadership roles in academia, industry, and society.
There is a special programme designed specifically for your doctoral and postdoctoral researchers (Early Career Researchers, ECRs):
As an Early Career Researcher (ECR), you are navigating an exciting phase of professional development: you are strengthening your academic independence, gradually taking on responsibility within research projects, engaging in teaching activities, and thereby already shaping the academic structures of tomorrow.
In addition to the excellent supervision provided by your PIs, this programme aims to prepare you for future leadership roles in academia, industry, and society. Following a successful first cohort with 16 researchers from eight faculties in April, the second cohort—again comprising 16 participants—will commence in October and will be conducted entirely in English.
Please ensure that you discuss your participation in this competitive leadership development programme with your supervisors in advance, in order to assess whether participation is beneficial at the present time or from a longer-term perspective. The programme may also be a suitable topic for discussion in your next performance and development review or committee meeting, where relevant perspectives and goals can be jointly aligned.
A further online information session will take place via Zoom on July 7 (12 a.m. to 1 p.m.), to which you and your Early Career Researchers are cordially invited.
All further information on LEAP 4 ECR can be found in the programme description below. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact our Professional Development, which is responsible for coordinating the programme (contact person: Krischan Brandl).
Description of the Leadership Development Programme
LEAP für Early Career Researchers
With the new programme LEAP 4 ECR, the University enables you to systematically enhance your academic profile by developing key communication and leadership competencies. Through practice-oriented, interactive workshops and flexible learning formats, you will gain fresh impulses for leadership and collaboration, further develop your personal strengths, and benefit from exchange with colleagues from a wide range of academic disciplines.
Target Group and Programme Structure
LEAP 4 ECR is designed for doctoral researchers from their second year onwards and for postdoctoral researchers in an early career phase (up to six years after completion of the doctorate) who do not yet hold explicit leadership responsibilities. For each learning group (spring and autumn), 16 participants are selected across faculties. This exclusive group (cohort) will commence with Module 1, “Effective Leadership,” on 8 October 2026 (next programme start: spring 2027).
The programme is structured into six modules (each comprising 8–16 learning units), which can be completed over a period of 12 to 24 months. Together, these modules cover all fundamental topics required to prepare in a structured manner for future leadership roles.
Detailed information is available on the programme website: go.uniwue.de/leap4ecr
Information Session
In advance, you as an Early Career Researcher (ECR)—very welcome to attend together with your supervisor—will have the opportunity to discuss any questions regarding the programme in an online information session or directly with Unit A.2 Professional Development (contact person:
Krischan Brandl). The unit will provide continuous support throughout the programme and will be available to you as your central point of contact.
How to Participate
If you are interested, please register for Module 1 “Effective Leadership” via the following link:
In addition to the registration, the application must include a short letter of motivation (maximum 300 words), a curriculum vitae, and a statement from the supervisor. These documents can be submitted via WueCampus (link will be sent automatically after registration).
The application deadline is September 10, 2026.
The next cohort will commence in spring 2027 and will be conducted in German.
