What does it take to use LinkedIn well as a researcher?

Our experts

• Elena Hoffer – CEO & Co-Founder, Alma.me (career services for PhD-level researchers)
• Birte Seffert – Head of Advisory and Funding Programs at GSO – Guidance, Skills & Opportunities e.V. I Systemic Coach I Talent Development Advocate GSO*

What Makes LinkedIn Useful for Researchers?

Unlike field-specific platforms, LinkedIn connects across disciplines and sectors. It’s ideal for discovering roles, mapping career paths, and making your work accessible—while staying professional.

Misconceptions & mindset

LinkedIn is no longer just for business professionals – the academic community on the platform is large and active. You don’t need to post every day to stay visible: even ten minutes of thoughtful engagement, whether reading, commenting, or connecting, can add up over time. If the idea of self-promotion feels uncomfortable, focus on sharing useful insights – what you’ve learned and why it matters – rather than highlighting achievements alone.

Use LinkedIn as a research tool

LinkedIn can be a powerful research tool. On your university page, explore the Alumni section and use filters for keywords, employers, or locations to find people with similar backgrounds and see their career paths. For target employers, use the Company → People search to look up roles like “postdoc” or positions relevant to your skillset, studying job titles, skills, and the career moves people have made. Informational interviews are another effective approach: send a brief connection note explaining why you’re reaching out, including one or two questions. Ask for 15–20 minutes of their time and highlight shared interests or a common alma mater. Focus on learning first; any referral is a bonus.

Profile essentials (what matters most)

A strong LinkedIn profile starts with the essentials. Your photo should be a clear, friendly headshot – natural daylight works well. Use a banner to show that you’re active; even a simple Canva design is effective. Your headline should go beyond a basic title like “Postdoc” and include targeted keywords that recruiters search for, such as “Data Science | R, Python, SQL | Experiment Design.” In the About section, use plain language to describe who you are, what you do well, and where you’re headed.

For Experience and Skills, translate your research outputs into impact and transferable skills, keeping the language accessible to non-specialists. If relevant, you can mark yourself as Open to Work, and it can be visible only to recruiters. LinkedIn Premium is optional: most early career activities—searching, connecting with a note, and engaging—work perfectly without it. Consider a trial only if you specifically need InMail.

Posting & engagement that feel professional (not personal-overload)

Effective posting and engagement on LinkedIn should feel professional, without overwhelming your network with personal details. A simple approach is to share a personal moment followed by a professional takeaway. For example: “First invited talk in Germany—here are two things I learned about communicating across disciplines.”

Commenting is half the game: thoughtful responses on relevant posts often have more impact than occasional original posts. Reposts can also be effective if you add your perspective, such as: “Here’s why this thread is helpful for grant writing.” To stay focused, set a 10-minute timer for your LinkedIn activity and follow creators or topics that truly interest you.