MArburg University Research Academy (MARA) MArburg University Research Academy (MARA)

Description/content

MARA offers career support for young researchers – from doctoral candidacy to job placement!

MARA, the MArburg University Research Academy, was founded in 2009 as Germany’s first university institution to offer top-level support for junior scholars of all qualification levels, i. e., for doctoral candidates as well as postdocs from all academic fields within Marburg’s 16 departments. Every doctoral candidate at Philipps-Universität Marburg is invited to benefit from our structured support. In addition to the research training offered by individual departments and doctoral programmes, MARA provides support to help prepare doctoral candidates for the successful completion of their doctorate and for subsequent steps in their career within or outside of academia. For this purpose, MARA provides training via inter- and transdisciplinary workshops and seminars. Past topics have included transferable skills such as scientific writing, publishing, organising conferences and symposia as well as self-management and designing a personal career plan.

In addition to supporting doctoral candidates, our programme for postdocs is designed to assist junior scholars who have completed their doctorate in advancing their careers and further honing their skills from the postdoctoral phase to professorship. We offer a certificate programme to convey the research, leadership, and management skills required to successfully design and independently carry out research projects. Regular training courses and workshops on the application process for careers within or outside of academia complement our programme in the field of “Strategic Career Planning”.

In addition, we offer a variety of funding opportunities, such as doctoral scholarships (only for junior scholars who already have an adviser at Philipps-Universität Marburg and are admitted by a department of Philipps-Universität Marburg to pursue a doctoral degree), travel assistance, and conference funding for our members, and equal opportunity funding for female doctoral candidates attempting to balance a career in research with family responsibilities. Furthermore, we encourage academic networking in self-organised working groups at all academic levels.

Specific emphasis is placed on international careers. Many workshops are taught in English in order to include international researchers and to enable German doctoral candidates to apply their knowledge in an international setting.

Steeped in tradition, Philipps-Universität Marburg is the oldest university in the world founded as a Protestant institution. It has been a centre of research and teaching for nearly five centuries. Apart from the inspiring academic environment marked by innovative research and high quality support for junior scholars, Marburg is also an attractive and enjoyable place to live. As the popular saying goes: “Other towns have a university – Marburg is a university”.

Faculties

Life and Natural Sciences:

• Business and Economics
• Psychology
• Mathematics and Computer Science
• Physics
• Chemistry
• Pharmacy
• Biology
• Geography
• Medicine

Humanities and Social Sciences:

• Law
• Business and Economics
• Social Sciences and Philosophy
• Psychology
• Protestant Theology
• History and Cultural Studies
• German Studies and Arts
• Foreign Languages and Cultures
• Geography
• Education

Course language

MARA offers events and consultation in German and English.

Financial support

Yes

Structured research and supervision

No

Research training / discussion

Yes

Career advisory service

• Individual consultation
• Skills development
• Individual writing consultation
• Coaching
• Collegial consultation
• Mentoring

Specific specialist or non-specialist support for international students and doctoral candidates

• Cultural and linguistic preparation
• Other

Additional information on support programmes

Workshop programme, including introductory workshops, advisory services, and interdisciplinary networking

List of doctoral programmes and other offers

For the members of MARA – doctoral candidates and postdocs of Philipps-Universität Marburg – we offer workshops, networking opportunities, funding and consultation services.

Philipps-Universität Marburg
© Photo: Christian Stein

Philipps-Universität Marburg is not just a German university steeped in tradition. Founded in 1527, it is also the oldest Protestant university in the world. It has been a place of research and teaching for nearly five centuries. Currently, approx. 23,000 students are studying in Marburg, and international students comprise 15.5% of the student body. With the exception of the engineering sciences, almost all scientific disciplines are represented at Philipps-Universität Marburg. Numerous organisations complement and enrich the university’s range of services. These organisations carry out special research activities or support Philipps-Universität Marburg in the areas of communications, information technologies, and foreign languages.

Total number of students
22,380

Percentage of international students
15.5%

1,100
Doctoral candidates, members of MARA
250
Postdoctoral scholars, members of MARA

University location

The university is an integral part of the scenic town of Marburg, which lies 100 km north of Frankfurt. Marburg is situated on the Lahn River and is marked by the castle on the hill. With its 80,000 inhabitants (approx. 50,000 in the centre), the town has over 22,000 students and about 4,300 people working for the university. The saying “Other towns have a university; Marburg is a university” reflects the unique historic atmosphere of the city. Wherever you are in town, you are part of a vibrant academic community. Marburg can easily be reached by plane, public transport, or by car. For detailed descriptions of the different routes to Marburg and to find one’s way around the town, see https://www.uni-marburg.de/en/studying/life-at-umr/transport .