Returning to Germany to establish your own research group and take the next step toward academic independence is an exciting opportunity, but it also comes with new expectations and responsibilities. Even for researchers who know the German system well, stepping into a leadership role often means navigating unfamiliar structures, building teams, and shaping a research environment of your own.

To better understand this transition, we spoke with three fellows of the NRW-Rückkehrprogramm (NRW Returning Scholars Program): Andrea Kirsch, Robert Hein, and Ramona Wolf, about their experiences of returning to Germany after working abroad and establishing independent research careers.

Building on their experiences, this article highlights practical considerations and shares tips for researchers planning a similar transition.

Know What Drives You

Building an independent career begins with self-understanding: knowing what drives you, what kind of environment you want to create, and how your approach adds something new to your field. This clarity strengthens both your applications and your professional decisions.

Take time to reflect on what matters most to you. Which research questions keep you motivated, even when progress is slow? What kind of leader or collaborator do you want to be? Just as important is understanding what distinguishes your work. This could be a particular method, a topic you bring a fresh perspective to, or your ability to connect different disciplines and ways of thinking.

As you develop your ideas, consider how they align with the strengths and priorities of a potential host institution. Strong proposals not only communicate scientific excellence, they also demonstrate how you complement and contribute to an existing research environment. Throughout this process, seek outside perspectives. Mentors, colleagues, and peers can offer valuable feedback and often recognize strengths that you may overlook yourself.

Build Your Network Before You Need It

A strong network is often what makes opportunity visible. Many early career researchers find their next position not through formal listings but through mentors and peers who point them in the right direction.

Engage early and consistently. Attend conferences, workshops, and summer schools, and follow up with short messages to people you met. Relationships tend to develop over time.

Be intentional about your connections. Share your career goals with mentors and trusted colleagues so they can connect you with relevant opportunities. Reconnect with former collaborators and continue expanding your circles.

Combine personal and digital visibility. Join alumni or mentoring networks, stay active on platforms such as LinkedIn or ORCID, and use professional associations strategically. Calls, events, and opportunities often circulate through these channels.

Keep reading: The Hidden Currency of Research: Why Networking Matters

Prepare Strategically and Refine Your Message

Strong applications and compelling presentations rarely emerge in a single draft. Instead, they develop through feedback, revision, and practice. As you prepare for the transition to academic independence, several aspects deserve particular attention.

Plan your timing. Most group leadership programs are open four to six years after your PhD. Use this time to build publications, gain international experience, and apply for smaller grants.

Refine proposals with each round. Treat every submission as practice. Rework the structure, clarify the potential impact of your work, and integrate feedback from reviewers and colleagues.

Match your profile to the program. Broad calls include the DFG’s Emmy Noether Programme or Walter Benjamin Programme; thematic ones include NRW-Rückkehrprogramm or BMBF Junior Research Groups; applied programs include Fraunhofer Attract or Helmholtz Investigator Groups.

Find more options in our article: Academic Career Perspectives in Germany

Practice high impact presentations. Focus on your central research question, its significance, and what makes your approach distinct. Rehearse with peers from outside your field to test whether your message is clear and compelling.

Translate your work across audiences. Adapt your communication to different stakeholders and levels of expertise. Simplify the structure of your message without sacrificing scientific depth.

Building in time for feedback, revision, and presentation practice can strengthen both your applications and your readiness for future opportunities.

Related reading: Effective Grant Strategies for Researchers: A Practical Guide

Know What to Ask For

When funding is tied to the researcher rather than the host, as in the NRW-Rückkehrprogramm, negotiation becomes an important part of the transition to academic independence.

Reflect on the conditions you need to do your best work and build the kind of research environment you envision. Some aspects may be non-negotiable, such as tenure track options, lab space, staff positions, or flexibility in teaching responsibilities. At the same time, broader forms of support, including administrative assistance, technical staff, or teaching reductions, can make a significant difference in everyday practice.

It is also helpful to understand which elements are typically open to negotiation. Depending on the institution and program, this may include the start date, relocation support, or dual career arrangements. Exchanging experiences with peers and seeking advice from organizations such as the DHV can help you navigate these discussions more confidently.

Finally, be prepared to communicate the value you bring. Highlight your funding track record, international experience, and the contributions your research group can make to the institution.

Start Shaping Your Leadership Approach

Becoming independent means shifting from doing research to enabling others to do great research. Leadership is not just about managing projects. It also involves creating a team culture that balances clarity, trust, and care. While there is no single model for good leadership, thinking intentionally about how you want to lead can help you navigate this transition more confidently.

Develop your leadership style. Consider how you want to communicate expectations and feedback, and how you can combine scientific rigor with support and listening.

Invest in people. Mentoring PhDs and postdocs is an important part of the role. Their development and success contribute to the long-term success of the group as a whole.

Plan ahead and clarify expectations. In the transition phase before group setup, leadership involves considerable coordination work. Lab space, hiring, and equipment procurement require aligning interdependent timelines and stakeholders to ensure everything fits together

Understand the System and Make it Work for You

Take time to understand the system. Familiarize yourself with procurement, hiring, and reporting processes, and identify the people you can turn to with questions. Institutional allies, including graduate centers, research offices, and administrative staff, can help you navigate these structures and avoid unnecessary delays when setting up your group.

Keep reading: Understanding the German Academic System

It is equally important to clarify expectations early on. Understanding what counts in evaluations and how success is assessed can help you prioritize your efforts. At the same time, remember to protect your energy by setting boundaries, including time for recovery, and managing your workload intentionally.

Finally, stay persistent. Career transitions rarely unfold exactly as planned. Tracking your progress, learning from setbacks, and recognizing small successes along the way can help you maintain perspective during this demanding but rewarding phase.

Returning to Germany to build an independent research career is not simply a change of location. It is a transition into leadership, with all the opportunities and responsibilities that come with it. There is no single blueprint for this step, but preparation, persistence, and a willingness to learn can make the path more manageable. Taken one step at a time, the transition to academic independence becomes not only feasible, but also an opportunity to shape the kind of research environment and career you want to build.

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 next call for applications is expected to open in autumn 2026.