Mentoring

Mentoring is a dynamic one-to-one relationship in which a more experienced or knowledgeable person provides guidance, support, and advice to a less experienced person. Establishing a supportive relationship with an experienced mentor provides the mentee with insides into which potential approaches to their own career may turn out to be helpful – and which ones harmful – and to bring them into contact with important professional partners. This guidance often involves sharing knowledge, giving constructive feedback, offering advice, and helping the mentee navigate challenges and opportunities. In confidential conversations, mentee and mentor share both positive and negative experiences in order to avoid stumbling blocks and prepare for their future careers. It focuses on personal and professional development and aims to foster the mentee’s development, enhance their skills and confidence, and empower them to achieve their full potential.

How does it work?

One-on-One – Mentor-Mentee Matching

We place great importance on precise matching of mentors and mentees, considering both career goals and personal interests and needs. We do not work with a pool of mentors but rely on your active help. You are the expert in your scientific field and know the environment better than we do. Together we will look for a suitable person who can support you on your path. If you would like to start a mentoring tandem, please fill out this form. We will then get in touch with you and have a personal matching discussion with you to find the best possible mentor for you.

Please see also the opportunity of group mentoring below.

Mentoring Agreement

Together, the mentor and mentee draft a mentoring agreement outlining goals, expectations, and the frequency of meetings. They agree to maintain confidentiality with each other so that discussions can take place without dependencies and conflicts.

Regular Meetings

Mentors and mentees meet regularly to set goals, discuss progress, and address challenges. You will usually meet your mentor 4-6 times during the agreed mentoring phase. You can choose between a term of 6, 12 and 18 months, depending on your needs and the phase you are currently in. We will provide you with some checklists and assistance to guide you through the mentoring process. If you have any questions or difficulties, you can contact the program management at any time.

Final Meeting

At the end of the mentoring phase, a final meeting is held to reflect on achievements and discuss future steps. Both parties evaluate the program to provide feedback and identify areas for improvement.

New in 2026

Group Mentoring “Career Paths in the Pharmaceutical Industry” – Pilot Project for Doctoral Researchers

Group Mentoring brings together a small group of 5 mentees at a similar career stage who are interested in career paths in academia, industry, or society. Each group is accompanied by an experienced mentor from the respective field. Over a period of 12 months, mentees and mentor meet regularly in structured sessions to discuss career-related, professional, and everyday topics such as career strategies, leadership practice, or work–life balance.

This group mentoring program is aimed at doctoral researchers who are interested in career paths in the pharmaceutical industry and who wish to explore professional options.

The pilot project pursues the following objectives:

Individual career clarification and realistic orientation for the transition from academia to industry
Peer support and relief through exchange with others in a similar qualification phase
Orientation beyond academia by gaining insights into diverse career paths, work cultures, and decision-making processes in the pharmaceutical industry
Building and expanding professional networks, both within the group and with the industrial sector

The thematic focus is based on the needs and interests of the mentees and may include:

Career paths and role profiles in the pharmaceutical industry
Decision-making processes: academia vs. industry
Entry routes, application strategies, and required skill sets
Work culture, leadership, and collaboration in industry settings
Work–life balance and long-term career development

The specific topics are proposed by the mentees and jointly prioritized within the group.

Profile of the mentor in the pilot project:

I am a protein biochemist at heart and a biotechnologist/neurophysiologist and proteomics person by training. I am an engineer, hold a PhD, and I’ve been living my professional life in the world of academia, in a start-up habitat as well as in the big world of big pharma. Topics that accompanied me almost all the way are protein complexes, membrane proteins, and (interaction) proteomics. Some leadership and project management experience, along with a practical mind, shape who I am. In my free time, I play the flute and am part of the leadership team of a wind orchestra where I oversee marketing and public relations. Although I don’t have children myself, I also love supporting young musicians as they gain their first experiences with making music.

The group mentoring consists of a small group of four to five doctoral researchers accompanied by one mentor, working in the pharmaceutical industry. The mentor brings experience from both large and small companies.

The mentoring program runs for a duration of 12 months and includes:

a joint kick-off meeting
5 structured group meetings with the mentor
a joint closing event

The mentor’s involvement takes place exclusively within the scheduled group meetings.

Kick-off

During the initial kick-off meeting, mentees and mentor get to know each other.
The kick-off is designed and facilitated by kite and includes:

mutual introduction and clarification of expectations
joint prioritization of the mentees’ thematic interests
agreement on principles of collaboration and communication
clarification of roles, responsibilities, and program framework

The aim is to establish a trust-based, respectful, and non-competitive environment.

Group Meetings with the Mentor

The subsequent 5 group meetings are self-organized by the mentees:

meetings are scheduled independently by the group
one mentee acts as organizer for each meeting
moderation is carried out by the group
topics for each meeting are shared with the mentor in advance to allow for focused preparation

Closing Event

The group mentoring program concludes with a joint closing event, facilitated by kite.
The focus is on:

reflection on individual learning and development processes
joint reflection on group collaboration
identifying key insights and next career steps

Participation requires a written application including a short motivation letter.

Next deadline is Mai 08^th and start of the mentoring will be on June 15^th 2026 with the Kick Off Meeting (5.30pm – 7pm). Please make sure that you will be available for the Kick Off Meeting.

Applicants are asked to outline:

their current career goals or orientation
their motivation for participating in the group mentoring
how the program may support their individual career clarification

As part of the pilot project, participants are required to complete a written evaluation at the end of the program.