Steering Group

The Steering Group is the main contact between doctoral researchers and the Headquarters of Max Planck Society in Munich. They coordinate the communication within the PhDnet and outside of it. The members of the steering group are elected annually at the General Meeting and assume office each year on January 1st.

PhDnet Steering Group 2021

The Steering Group consists of a spokesperson, three representatives for the different sections (BM/CPT/HS), the deputy spokesperson (financial officer) and the general secretary. The members of our current Steering Group are:

Spokesperson	Lea Heckmann
Deputy spokesperson (financial officer)	Sarah Young
General secretary	Florian Teichmann
BM section representative	Marga Albu
CPT section representative	Johannes Bischoff
HS section representative	Aroma Dabas

Agenda of Steering Group 2020

Excellent doctoral researchers deserve outstanding working conditions, career development and communication.

To achieve this, Steering Group 2020 will collaborate with the General Administration and diverse Max Planck Society bodies on the following key points:

Working conditions

Raise of minimum salary to at least 65% of TVöD to remain competitive
Translations of contracts and relevant documents
Clarification of Thesis Advisory Committee
Involvement in director hiring process
Training for supervision and management
Defining routes to report harassment and bullying
Increase equality and inclusion of DRs regardless of nationality or gender

Career Development

Welcoming new PhDs with streamlined onboarding procedures and
release of a travel guide
Non-academic career guidance and transition
Facilitate networking with alumni

Communication