FACULTY OF

PROCESS- AND SYSTEMS ENGINEERING

Dr. Barbara Witter studied Chemistry in Kiel and did her doctorate at the University of Hamburg in the field of trace analysis and environmental research. Today she is the head of the OVG Graduate Academy in the field of Science Management. Motto: Keep your eyes open and find your chances!

Career

 After graduating from high school, my goal was to do environmental research. There were very few specific courses in this area at the time, so I decided to study and do a doctorate in Chemistry. After the birth of my children, I wanted to withdraw from active research, but continue to work closely with science - that's how I got into science management. Today, in the Graduate Academy, I can help ensure that young scientists in Magdeburg find very good framework conditions.

Motivation

I enjoy my work most when I can support young people in finding their own way. It can be tricky, but extremely important, to help resolve conflicts between doctoral candidates and their supervisors. With mediation methods, I can often help in seemingly stagnant situations, so that constructive cooperation and a successful completion of the doctorate are possible again. These are the best achievements.

Requirements

In science management you break away from your own subject area and need to look at the big picture. You work at the interface between science and administration.

I recommend the profession for people who would like to get an insight into the different areas of science and who can recognize each one for their particularities. Dealing with very different personalities requires a high degree of patience and sensitivity in the interpersonal area as well as an open, but binding manner.

Advice

You should always have a plan, but it is important to keep your eyes and ears open and to take advantage of opportunities that arise. I recommend for young female scientists in particular to take part in the university's COMETiN mentoring program, in which you can find a peer group and build your own network in science. It is important that pupils discover the full range of possible activities for themselves early on and follow their interests. We must continue to work on a gender mainstreaming culture in order to have significantly more female role models in management positions and especially in the professorships. When I was studying in the 1980s, there was almost no such role model in the natural sciences. That is already significantly different today, and that is a good thing.

Herausforderungen

When life gives you lemons, make lemonade: Every lost opportunity gives rise to new opportunities. It is important to always look ahead and seek these opportunities. Even if you have lost something, you shouldn't let yourself go and look for other ways to accomplish your goals. Someone once said to me that there are always at least 3 other options.

A particular challenge in my life was when my first contract ended after the probationary period. It was a big shock to me at the time and I had to completely reorient myself. In retrospect, however, it gave me the chance to find a significantly better job.