Info

“Open Minds – Exploring Science Careers”

Step into a vibrant transition space for a full day where science meets innovation, industry, and society. Open Minds empowers you, Early Career Researchers, to think about your professional identity, discover new ecosystems, and explore how your scientific strengths can thrive in diverse contexts.

Guided by Openness, Curiosity, and Identity, this interactive, playful event helps you move beyond the question “Should I stay or should I go?” and instead explore the rich possibilities in between.

Date: March 5^th, 2026 

Time: 10:00–17:00
Location: ST3AM, Berlin-Adlershof, Rudower Chaussee 28
For: Early Career Researchers from all disciplines

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Target Group

Open Minds is designed for advanced Master students, doctoral researchers and postdocs from all disciplines across the Berlin research landscape. The event is especially suited to participants who are reflecting on their future professional direction and wish to explore career paths both within and beyond academia.
 As the number of places is limited, early registration is recommended.

Participation is free of charge. The event is fully funded.

What’s in it for You?

Open Minds gives you a hands‑on way to explore your career options both within and beyond academia. You’ll map your strengths, identify transferable skills, and test how your expertise fits into different professional ecosystems. Through playful missions and reflection tools, you actively build a clearer picture of your potential paths. The Zones of Curiosity, a career simulation game, lets you try out real‑world challenges from industry, startups, NGOs, communication, and more. In the networking simulation, you will practice connecting with others and articulating your profile with confidence. By the end, you will leave with new insights, practical orientation, and a stronger sense of direction for your next career step.

Programme Overview (10:00–17:00)

Opening 

09:30–10:00 — Registration & Check-in

10:00–10:15 —Welcome & Introduction

Module 1: Inspiration & Skills

10:15–11:00 — Inspiration Intro Talks 

11:00–12:30 — Mapping Your Strengths & Skills

12:30–13:30 — Lunch Break

Module 2: Curiosity & Openness

13:30–15:30 — Zones of Curiosity
15:30–16:00 — Networking Simulation

Module 3: Reflection & Closing

16:00–16:15 — Takeaways
16:15–17:00 — Open Minds Lounge - Wrap‑Up Social

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Speakers & Moderation

Dr. Yasmin Lucero Cobos-Becerra –speaker

Yasmin Lucero Cobos‑Becerra is Deputy Head of the Strategy Department Energy and Information at Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin (HZB) and coordinator of the CARE-O-SENE project on sustainable kerosene. She has extensive experience leading international cooperation projects across science, industry, and policy. Previously, she worked for UNEP and GIZ on circular economy and sustainable production. 

Prof. Stefan Hecht, Ph.D. –speaker

Stefan Hecht is an Einstein Professor at Humboldt University and Founding Director of the Center for the Science of Materials Berlin. His work focuses on macromolecular and supramolecular chemistry, photoswitchable molecules, and the remote control of materials and processes. He is also co‑founder of xolo GmbH, advancing volumetric 3D printing through xolography.

Prof. Dr. Janine George –speaker

Janine George is Acting Head of the Division Digital Materials Chemistry at the Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) and Professor of Materials Informatics at the University of Jena. Her research spans computational materials design, solid‑state chemistry, and the development of digital methods for understanding and predicting material properties. In 2025, she received an ERC Starting Grant. She actively uses science communication to distribute her research.

Dr. André Lampe - moderation

André Lampe is a science communicator, moderator, and postdoctoral researcher at the Charité Advanced Medical BIOimaging Core Facility (AMBIO). He combines hands‑on expertise in advanced microscopy with a strong passion for engaging scientific dialogue.

Organizing committee

Center for Career Development Adlershof, HU Berlin (Petra Metz, Petya Jordan, Milena Bauer)

WISTA Management GmbH (Rawad Chammas)

Helmholtz Zentrum Berlin (Nicole Schmid)

Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung (Stefanie Blankenburg)

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