BGHS.NEWS

Science management - a diverse and exciting career field

On 30 January, the BGHS organized an event with BGHS alumni who have made their way into science management at Bielefeld University in various ways. Bastian Bredenkötter, Marie Lemser, Silvia Herb and Ulf Ortmann presented their current fields of work and explained how they got there. Clara Buitrago, coordinator at the BGHS office, moderated.

Bastian Bredenkötter currently works as a project and process manager in the Department of Digital Transformation and Process Organisation (DT/P) at Bielefeld University. As a project manager, he is responsible for the procurement of software, for example, and accompanies the process from the question of what the users need, through the specification of the software and the market analysis of the providers, to the pilot project for testing and, if necessary, the transfer to permanent operation. In process management, he deals with the initial description of business processes between different units of the university and the introduction of digitalisation processes that improve work processes. Bastian wrote his doctoral thesis in the sociology of labour and economics, and he decided during the course of his doctorate that he did not want to stay in academia. Whilst still doing his doctorate, he made applications outside the university and initially accepted a position in regional development. There he got to know the work in project management and accompanied projects that dealt with the consequences of digitalisation for work. For his work in regional development, he was able to draw on his sociological training insofar as both fields look at the 'big picture', so to speak. In the projects, he brought together various partners in the region and organised projects that were aimed at all companies or schools in the region, for example. In one project, he came into contact with the topic of processes and thought to himself: "It would be nice to help shape digitalisation in an organisation." And when he started looking for a suitable position, he ended up in his current job at Bielefeld University.

As coordinator of the international study programmes in the Faculty of History, Philosophy and Theology, Marie Lemser takes care of a wide range of issues relating to the organisation of study programmes. In addition to advising students on international degree programmes and organising introductory events for students coming to Bielefeld from Bologna or Paris, for example, she is also responsible for evaluation and degree programme accreditation. She also maintains contact with the coordinators at the other locations of the degree programmes and is involved in the development of collaborations. These different fields of activity, business trips and teaching make Marie's job varied and attractive. After completing her doctorate in Ancient History in the Collaborative Research Centre (SFB) "Practices of Comparison", Marie decided against a traditional academic career. When she looked around for jobs at the university, she was surprised at the many opportunities offered by the administration. She then initially worked for a year as a parental leave replacement in the Department of Studies and Teaching (S/L) in degree programme modelling. There she not only learned a lot about how a degree programme is structured, but also got to know the university administration. This professional experience in university administration, together with her specialised doctorate, meant that she was qualified for her current position in the Faculty and got the job.

© Silvia Herb

"Libraries are a work sector in their own right," says Silvia Herb. A relevant degree programme is usually followed by a traineeship or additional studies. Only then can you start working in a special library. Silvia heads the media processing service area at Bielefeld University Library, which has three departments and a total of 43 employees. The service area is responsible for cataloguing, acquisitions and technical book processing. She describes acquisitions as the most challenging tasks, as it involves contracts, licences and funds management. Silvia trained as a librarian and already had a job in the library during her studies. She came to Bielefeld because she was able to combine both here: A doctorate in media sociology and gainful employment in the library. Today, however, the Phd is no longer a prerequisite for climbing the career ladder; what counts is experience. In her entry-level position as a librarian, she selected books for the Faculty of Sociology and managed the corresponding funds. And over time, opportunities for advancement gradually arose until she ended up in the head of department.

                                                                                                                                    © Ulf Ortmann

Ulf Ortmann is currently employed at the Graduate Centre of the Graduate and Academic Development Centre (GrACe) at Bielefeld University. The GrACe was established in August 2024 as a central contact point for doctoral candidates, doctoral researchers and early postdocs and offers counselling and training (known as PEP) and information. The Bielefeld Young Researchers’ Fund is also based there. Ulf is primarily responsible for counselling early postdocs. He also organises his own events and those at the request of graduate institutions or SFBs. After completing his doctorate in the sociology of work and technology, Ulf initially worked for five years as a postdoc in various third-party funded projects at different universities. He then looked for a position at a chair in order to habilitate. That did not work out, "and that was the end of my academic career". He then came across an advert in the Bonn Science Shop database for a project position in the area of non-academic careers at the BGHS. He submitted his application and had a colleague coach him for the interview. He was successful. During this job, he completed further training as a coach, and this experience recommended him for the job in the university administration. After two further temporary positions, he now has a permanent position at GrACe.

All four alumni are very satisfied with their different jobs. In addition to the variety of activities and the opportunities to shape their work, they also appreciate the "time clock", which indicates the end of the work day. Marie says that she had different ideas about her career at the beginning of her doctorate, "but I didn't realise the range of things you could do with a PhD". Ulf had already dealt with science and technology policy during his studies and was familiar with the developments in the science sector that have led to the expansion of science management. "That's how I knew it was a huge labour market and that I would fit in well." Silvia took the path she wanted to take from the outset: into librarianship. Although this required additional training, it is also worth a lot: "I can start working in an academic library in Uzbekistan tomorrow", Silvia jokes. However, she emphasises that you have to be aware of what you are doing. The desire to read alone is not a good starting point, because as she says: "We read a lot, but not scientific books, but contracts and balance sheets." Technology also plays a major role. For example, the processes at Bielefeld University Library have been digitised since the 1970s.

And what advice do they have for starting out in science management? Marie says that you shouldn't just look for scientific positions, because that's what you know from your studies and doctorate. You should also look at the job vacancies in technology and administration, as there are many interesting positions there. You should also not shy away from starting out in a (shorter) temporary position, e.g. a parental leave replacement, as this often leads to something longer-term. Ulf recommends talking to other people about their work to gather information. He advises not to be frightened by the current discourse around strategic and long-term career planning. Most people find their career start, not just in science management, when they run out of money. Opportunities then arise from which a career path develops. Silvia's advice for librarians is to do a traineeship rather than a further education programme. During the traineeship, you get to know the actual job and come to a realistic assessment of whether you really want to do it. It is also a small sector in which you are recommended to others. Bastian has had good experiences with unsolicited applications outside the university. However, this is not possible at university. He also points out that in administration - unlike in an academic career - a project position can certainly develop into a permanent position.

It was a great event that provided interesting insights into very different areas of science and university management. The four alumni gave lively and vivid accounts of their appointments and readily answered the participants' questions. They made it clear that career paths in science management or administration are anything but a 'plan B', namely that they are varied and challenging and offer many development opportunities if you are open to them.