Becoming a Junior Group Leader in Germany: How to Gain Independence after Returning from Abroad with Robert Hein
What does academic independence look like in Germany? For many, it begins not with a professorship but with junior group leadership, a stage that combines new freedoms with growing responsibilities.
Robert Hein knows this shift well. After postdocs in the UK and Netherlands, he returned to Germany through the NRW Rückkehrprogramm (NRW Returning Scholars Program). Around the same time, he also secured a Liebig Fellowship in Chemistry. Today he is Junior Professor of Organic Chemistry at the University of Münster, leading a group that studies how molecules respond to electrical stimulation, linking basic chemistry to materials science.
Key factors that shaped his return and first year of independence:
- Strong mentorship at the host institute
- Experience across different academic systems
- German conferences as re-entry points
- Hands-on support from administration
These remind us: independence is not a sudden leap. It grows step by step, shaped by networks, expectations, and negotiation.
Tips from Robert on applying and leading after the return:
Set expectations realistically
Independence does not mean spending all day on your own research. Teaching, supervision, and administration quickly become part of the role.
“I knew I wouldn’t have much time to do research on my own, so any chance I get feels like a bonus.”
Use networks as anchors
Returning after years abroad can feel like starting over. A strong network can ease your return. Even a single trusted contact in Germany can help you understand what’s “normal” in processes, bureaucracy, and negotiations. Build these links early, through conferences or former mentors.
Trusted contacts, mentors, and conferences in Germany helped Robert re-establish himself.
Know your evaluation benchmarks
Mid-term reviews are part of most early-career positions. Robert emphasized that expectations in his case were transparent: a clear number of publications, third-party funding, and positive teaching evaluations.
Tip: Always check that the criteria are transparent and realistic.
Negotiate beyond the obvious
Tenure-track may not always be on the table, but other support is, such as lab space or equipment.
Tip: bringing funding – through Liebig Fellowship, Emmy Noether Program, or the NRW Returnig Scholars Program – gives leverage with host institutions.
Be ready to match your project to the call
Some programs have fixed themes, others set yearly ones. Because Robert had already thought ahead, his ideas fit quickly when the NRW Returning Scholars Program call came.
“Looking back, I see how often timing makes the difference — in fellowship applications, in the decision to return, and in starting to lead a group. Staying flexible allowed me to make the most of these moments.”
Tip: Keep an eye on upcoming calls early and develop ideas in advance.
Robert recalls that even something as small as keeping to the 20-minute limit in the interview made a difference – advice he followed, and it paid off. His path shows that independence is built step by step, with details that add up and open doors to leading your own group.
About the NRW Rückkehrprogramm
Since 2007, the Ministry of Culture and Science of NRW has promoted the return of outstanding young scientists from abroad. Around 65 researchers have received up to 1.25 million euros over 5 years to establish research groups in North Rhine-Westphalia.
The call is open! This year’s topic: Life Sciences. Apply here!
