Returning to Germany to lead your own group and build academic independence means working within a system that is both familiar and new, bringing fresh challenges and responsibilities. It’s the moment when scientific vision meets leadership, when ideas must find their place within established structures.

In our recent interviews, 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 and building academic independence after working abroad.

Read their stories here:

Andrea Kirsch | Robert Hein | Ramona Wolf

Based on their experiences, we summarized key lessons and created a list of tips for those planning to return to Germany and gain academic independence.

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.

• Reflect on what matters to you – What questions keep you motivated? What kind of leader or collaborator do you want to be?
• Identify what makes your approach distinct – Is it a method, a topic, or an interdisciplinary bridge?
• Connect your vision to your environment – Tailor your proposals to the host institution’s strengths and show how you complement existing research.
• Seek outside perspectives – Ask mentors or peers for feedback; others often see your strengths before you do.

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.
• Be clear about your direction – Share your career goals with mentors so they can connect you with the right people.
• Reconnect and expand your circles – A single trusted contact can help you understand local expectations and connect you with opportunities, while broader networks open new paths.
• Blend in-person and digital visibility – Join alumni or mentoring networks and stay active on platforms like LinkedIn or ORCID.
• Use professional associations strategically – Calls and events often circulate through mailing lists and alumni channels.

Prepare Strong Applications and Communicate with Clarity

Preparing strong applications and clear presentations is a gradual process of refinement. Each attempt adds fluency and confidence. As one fellow put it,

“Every application prepares you for the next opportunity.”

• 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 structure, clarify impact, and integrate feedback.
• 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 here.
• Practice high-impact presentations – Focus on your central question, its significance, and what makes your approach distinct. Rehearse with peers from outside your field.
• Translate your work across audiences – Simplify structure, make it easy to follow without losing depth not substance.

Know What to Ask For

When funding is tied to the researcher rather than the host, as in the NRW-Rückkehrprogramm, negotiation becomes both a privilege and a responsibility.

• Clarify what you want and why – Reflect on personal and professional priorities before any discussion.
• Define non-negotiables – Tenure track, lab space, staff positions, or flexibility in teaching load.
• Recognize broader support – Administrative help, technical staff, or teaching reductions can be equally valuable.
• Know what can be negotiated – Start date, lab space, relocation, or dual-career support. Exchange experiences with peers, and turn to the DHV for legal questions.
• Communicate your value – Highlight your funding record, international experience, and the contribution your group brings.

Lead with People in Mind

Becoming independent means shifting from doing research to enabling others to do great research. Leadership is not just about managing projects but about creating a team culture that balances clarity, trust, and care.

• Develop your leadership style early – Decide how to communicate expectations and feedback.
• Lead with empathy and structure – Combine scientific rigor with support and listening.
• Invest in people – Mentor PhDs and postdocs; their success is part of yours.
• Plan for logistics – setting up a lab, hiring staff, and ordering equipment take time; build in extra space for delays.
• Clarify expectations with your host – Be explicit about evaluation criteria and goals.

Understand the System and Make it Work for You

Returning to the German system means rediscovering its structures, expectations, and pace. Knowing how things work and how to set limits helps you stay effective and grounded.

• Understand the system – Learn procurement, hiring, and reporting early; know your key contacts.
• Use institutional allies – Graduate centers, research offices, and administrators can prevent delays.
• Clarify expectations – Know what counts in evaluations and plan accordingly.
• Balance work and recovery – Set boundaries, include rest, and manage time intentionally.
• Stay persistent and reflective – Track progress, learn from rejections, and celebrate small successes.

Building academic independence takes time, patience, and persistence. Every return is different, shaped by personal goals, circumstances, and the systems researchers step back into. Yet taken one step at a time, the path becomes manageable, from preparing strong applications to leading people and finding balance along the way.

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!