Coaching for scientists and scientific teams

The ZGaPL provides professional support to all researchers at RPTU to help them overcome challenges in their day-to-day scientific work and careers. This applies to both individuals and teams. We understand coaching as a process of support and help for self-help. Typical concerns can be found in professional situations, but also when private contexts interfere with them.

Possible topics: 

• Leadership and self-management
• Career planning
• Work-life balance
• Major changes or tense situations
• New team composition
• Decision-making and goal achievement
• Stress management and resilience
• Conflict resolution and prevention

Possible goals (important: you define your own goals for your coaching):

• Development of potential and resources
• Reflection on roles, needs, leadership behavior and communication methods
• Learning new strategies, methods and skills for everyday (working-) life which lead to greater satisfaction and success in the long term
• Working out goals, individual competences and strengths
• Strengthening self-organization skills and releasing potential for action

Scope and procedure 

Individual coaching 

• For each academic level [1] at RPTU, we offer 3 x 60 minutes of coaching in a quick and uncomplicated manner. When moving from one academic level to the next (e.g. after completing a doctorate), the hours are not included or added together. Only 3 hours are available at any level. In consultation with the coach, the hours can be combined (e.g. two times 90 minutes) or split up (e.g. six times 30 minutes). Unused hours remain available within the current academic level for later times and other topics.
• For most issues, 3 hours are sufficient. However, should more hours or the processing of a further topic be necessary, we will endeavor to make this possible. In this case, please complete the ‘Coaching motivation’ form and send it to Caroline Marker: caroline.marker[at]rptu.de 

Team coaching

• We facilitate quick and uncomplicated team development measures of up to one day (max. 8 hours) for RPTU scientific teams (working groups, AEs, chairs, interdisciplinary research teams, etc.). In the case of teams with external scientists, 80% of them must belong to RPTU.
• The day can also be split up or only used partially in consultation with the coaches. Unused hours remain available for this team for later times and other topics.
• One day is sufficient for most issues. However, if more hours or the processing of a further topic are necessary or if the members of a team have changed by approx. 60% since the last team coaching, we will also try to facilitate further team coaching sessions. In this case, please complete the ‘Coaching motivation’ form and send it to Caroline Marker: caroline.marker[at]rptu.de 

Procedure 

The coaching sessions are conducted by ZGaPL coaches and external coaches from our coaching pool. All of our coaches are certified and have completed various further training that qualify them for different specializations. We can only consider external coaches who are not in our coaching pool after an assessment and if they have certification and appropriate further training. All enquiries and especially the coaching content are of course treated confidentially.

We start with a telephone consultation to find out whether coaching is the right option for your need. We support you in finding a matching type of coaching and the right person. The costs of the coaching organized by following this procedure are covered by the ZGaPL. [2] 

Conditions of participation

• You are a scientist at RPTU.
• Coaching is the appropriate means to deal with the issue. Coaching is help for self-help, not psychotherapy.
• The issue cannot be dealt with by participating in courses in our workshop program or other internal RPTU programs.
• You have an objective, are motivated to make changes and know that the responsibility for the success of the coaching lies with you.

Additional conditions for applying for further coaching hours:

• You have already exhausted your initial coaching hours
• There are sufficient coaching resources available at the ZGaPL
• In addition to the above-mentioned conditions, our assessment of motivation letter applications is based on the following criteria:
  • Applicants cannot receive coaching via other channels
  • First applications generally have priority over follow-up applications 

  • If funds are scarce, follow-up applications are placed on a waiting list. Priority is given to the applicant who has not received coaching for the longest time. 

     

Cancellation of appointments:

The coach will inform you about the rules for cancelling the agreed appointments. Should you fail to cancel the appointment on time or fail to attend, resulting in costs, these costs will not be covered by the ZGaPL, but must be borne by you. The ZGaPL reserves the right to review the agreement for further coaching sessions in the event of repeated cancellations or no-shows.