ECM - Early Career Mentoring an der TiHo
Early Career Mentoring (ECM) is a 12-month support program for women - especially internationals and first gen - who wish to shape their professional future in research, academia, or clinical practice.
In cooperation with the MHH, Hannover Medical School, you will be paired with an experienced mentor, exchange ideas with other early-career female researchers in an interdisciplinary peer group, and take part in practical workshops—ranging from career planning and scientific writing to communication.
The entire program is conducted in English.
The next round of the program begins in January 2027. The application deadline is October 15, 2026.
For application and questions please send us a mail to: gleichstellung@tiho-hannover.de
What can I expect?
ECM runs over twelve months and rests on three pillars:
- Mentoring — a one-to-one partnership with an experienced mentor
- Workshops — practical sessions on the skills that shape an academic and clinical career.
- Networking — regular informal get-togethers (Stammtische) that build a cohort you can rely on across the year.
Workshops are full-day sessions, with around 6 across the year. The full schedule is shared at the start of the programme and planned in advance, so you can fit it around clinical and research duties.
You can view the temporary program schedule here.
The ECM is basend on a two-way commitment:
What we provide: a matched mentor, a peer group, workshop days across the year planned in advance, networking events, and a closing celebration.
What we ask: that you take part actively in workshops and events, contribute to a scientific conference [with a poster or talk, and a publication where possible], help us evaluate the programme, and write a short profile for the final brochure.
The fee: a €125 contribution covers catering across the year’s events. (If this is a barrier, please contact us — we don’t want cost to stop you applying.)
How to apply?
Applications for 2027 are open; the deadline is 15. Oktober 2026.
How to Apply:
Step 1: Submit Application
Submit your written application during the application period with the following documents per mail to gleichstellung@tiho-hannover.de.
Please submit all application documents in one PDF document:
Application documents:
- Cover letter: Motivation & Expectations
Please describe the following:
- what goals you have regarding your future career / personal future,
- how can mentoring support you in achieving those career goals,
- what expectations you have of the cooperation with the mentor.
If you want to and if available, you can provide information on your socio-political commitment and / or parenting or caregiving responsibilities.
- CV in tabular form
Please submit your Curriculum vitae in tabular form on previous education and professional career (in descending order).
Supplement your application with the completed profile form.
Step 2: Selection Process
You will receive a confirmation of receipt after the end of the application period.
After reviewing all applications, the candidates will be selected in cooperation with the Commission for Gender Equality (KfG). This usually takes two to four weeks.
Please refrain from asking about the status of your application during this time, thank you.
Step 3: Admission to the program
If you are accepted into the program , you will be matched and we will inform you of your mentoring group.You will then receive all further information about the program schedule and sign the mentoring agreement.
With the admission, the participation fee of 125 euros also becomes due.
Event series WILD
Lectures, workshops, and other networking events for female scientists, veterinarians, and women in leadership positions
Registration at: gleichstellung@tiho-hannover.de
29.10.2026 In-Person Workshop: Female Leadership - Woman Leading Research Projects
A practice-oriented workshop by Prof. Dr. Katja Biermann-Ruben in which you will specifically learn to set milestones, establish priorities, manage time, and clearly define goals for your clinical and scientific everyday work.
Tuesday, 29.10.2026, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM Uhr, at MHH
Together, you’ll address the unique challenges of leadership: How do I lead a team? How do I delegate, motivate, and support others? How do I handle conflicts? How do you position yourself within the scientific hierarchy and build an effective network?
Through interactive formats such as fishbowl discussions, small groups, and pair work, you will learn how to establish clear routines, strengthen communication, and confidently take on responsibility—even within complex structures. Prof. Dr. Katja Biermann-Ruben guides you with in-depth knowledge and proven tools.
Registration: mentoring@mh-hannover.de
04.11.2026 ONLINE Lecture: Power in Science – Cross-Sectional Dimension Family
A lecture by Prof. Dr. Christina Hölzel (University of Kiel)
Wednesday, 4. November 2026, 1:00 - 3:00 PM, online
The compatibility of scientific work and family life is structurally not provided for in a competitive science system. Therefore, it is important to enhance the visibility of individuals with caregiving responsibilities in the context of power and abuse of power, and to raise awareness of the particular challenges faced by this group: What happens when supervisors and mentors in the family context abuse their power over doctoral candidates or postdocs? Can abuse of power be defined? To what extent do family or pregnancy play a role in this regard? If I identify abuse of power, what can I do?
Registration at: gleichstellung@tiho-hannover.de
19.11.2026 ONLINE Discussion: Peer Leadership in Hospital Setting
A conversation with Setareh Huschi, Dr. Anna Jacob und Dr. Simone Klüber, moderatet by Prof.in Martina de Zwaan, Chief Physician at the Department of Psychosomatics and Psychotherapy at MHH.
Thursday, 19.11.2026, 5:30-7:00 PM, online
How can peer leadership succeed in a hospital setting? In the Department of Gynecology at Asklepios Clinic Wandsbek in Hamburg, three female chief physicians jointly lead the department:
Setareh Huschi, Dr. Anna Jacob, and Dr. Simone Klüber.
Not three people sharing one position, but three equal, full-time leaders. They embody collegial leadership.
They will share their experiences and describe how their leadership model—based on equality, clarity, and genuine responsibility—can succeed.
Registration: mentoring@mh-hannover.de
02.12.2026 ONLINE Short Workshop: Hostilities in science communication?
A short Workshop with Kristin Küter (Scicomm-Support) on dealing with hate speech and hostility toward science.
Wednesday, 2. December 2026, 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, online
Hostility towards science and hate speech against scientists and scientific institutions have noticeably increased, not least due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But how can one respond to such attacks in science communication, prepare for them, and find support? And are women affected differently by this? This workshop provides insights into the subject area, presents the counseling and support services of the national contact point Scicomm-Support, and conveys practical courses of action through interactive exercises.
Registration at: gleichstellung@tiho-hannover.de
Unbewusste Vorurteile - Unconscious Bias
‘Unconscious bias’ describes unconscious prejudices that influence our behaviour and decisions without us realising it. It is particularly important to be aware of these mechanisms when selecting personnel, for example in appointment committees.
This short film offers insights into the topic and encourages reflection in order to improve the selection process.
Film: Professional personnel selection in appointment committees
It was produced on behalf of the State Conference of Equal Opportunities Officers at Universities by the University Office for Diversity of Opportunity at Leibniz Universität Hannover and funded by the Lower Saxony Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK). It is a central result of the 3rd project phase of the dialogue initiative ‘Gender-equitable university culture’.
Gender Equality Commissioner
Address
Stiftung Tierärztliche Hochschule Hannover
Gleichstellungsbüro
Bünteweg 2
30559 Hannover
Tel.: +49 511 953-7981
Fax: +49 511 953-827981
gleichstellung(at)tiho-hannover.de
Site plan for download
![[Translate to English:] Lageplan TiHo-Tower](/fileadmin/_processed_/d/6/csm_210120_TiHo_Lageplan_Buenteweg_140829_TiHo-Tower_aac984d8c1.png)
Directions Equal Opportunities Office
arrival by public transport
From the main station, take underground line 1 (direction Laatzen/Sarstedt), 2 (direction Rethen) or 8 (direction Messe/Nord) two stops to Aegidientorplatz. Change at Aegidientorplatz and take line 6 (towards Messe/Ost) to the Bünteweg/Tierärztliche Hochschule stop. The stop is directly in front of the university's administration building (TiHo Tower, Bünteweg 2).
Arrival by car
rom the north/west/east
Take the Messeschnellweg (A37) southbound (Messe) and leave the expressway at the Bult exit. Then turn left and follow the road towards Bemerode. Bünteweg branches off to the left after the railway subway. The TiHo Tower is on the corner of Bemeroder Straße and Bünteweg.
From the south
On the Messeschnellweg (A37) towards Celle, turn right towards Bemerode at the Bult exit. Bünteweg branches off to the left after the railway subway. The TiHo Tower is on the corner of Bemeroder Straße/Bünteweg.
