International PhD researcher in a video call with industry mentor
For PhD Researchers

Research meets industry. Twelve months, one session per month.

Cross-mentoring with CEOs and managing directors of German GreenTech companies. You bring your research, you get industry perspective in return. Digital, structured, on equal terms.

The Principle

No internship. No recruiting. A counterpart.

Cross-mentoring works only when both sides give. You bring your research, your questions, your outside view. Your mentor brings twenty years of industry experience, a full calendar, and genuine interest in what you do.

  1. 01 Cross, not top-down

    Cross, not top-down

    You are not a student. You are a researcher. Your mentor brings twenty years of industry experience, you bring current research. The relationship works only if both sides give.

  2. 02 Structured, not random

    Structured, not random

    One session per month. Prepared topics. Professional support in the background. No mandatory agenda, but a clear framework — that prevents the tandem from fading after three meetings.

  3. 03 Digital, worldwide

    Digital, worldwide

    You don't have to come to Germany. All sessions run digitally. You agree on the language with your mentor — more than half of current tandems run in English.

What You Get

Three things no academic department can deliver.

Cross-mentoring is not doctoral supervision and it is not recruiting. It is something of its own — and that is exactly what makes the difference.

  1. Researcher at desk with notes and industry sketches
    01 Outside View

    Industry perspective on your research

    What helps in the market? What fails in reality? Which problems are looking for someone like you? You get an unfiltered outside view from someone who decides daily — not from a reviewer committee.

  2. Researcher by the window, looking thoughtfully into the distance
    02 Core Value

    Clarity about your path

    Industry, research, your own startup — most PhD researchers decide too late. With twelve months of sparring, the decision becomes more grounded.

    Whichever way it goes.

  3. Researcher in an online meeting with industry mentor
    03 Network

    Direct contact with decision-makers

    You speak with managing directors and technical leads, not with HR. Even if you decide against industry later, the contact stays — along with an understanding of how that world works.

Who Fits

We are looking for PhD researchers with industry interest.

The program is not made for every PhD researcher. Before you read on, the honest criteria.

Fits 04

  • You are doing your PhD in a GreenTech-relevant field (energy, materials science, climate technology, bioeconomy, mobility, related areas).

  • You are generally open to considering a step into industry — even if the decision is still open.

  • You can free up 60 to 90 minutes per month for one session, plus 15 minutes the day before for preparation.

  • You speak English or German fluently enough to discuss professionally.

Does not fit 04

  • You are looking for a specific job, a working student position, or an internship — the program is explicitly not recruiting.

  • You want academic doctoral supervision — that is what your department is for.

  • You need German language courses or job entry coaching — other services help better.

  • You have less than six months until your defense — the program needs runtime.

Path Into the Program

We approach you. Not the other way around.

A direct application via this page is not part of the process. There is a reason for that — and it makes things easier for you, not harder.

  1. PhD researcher in a career center consultation
    01 GTT

    We search through your university

    We work with career centers, international offices, and PhD coordinators at universities worldwide. If a mentoring tandem fits your profile, you will be approached there.

  2. PhD researcher in an online introductory call
    02 You + GTT

    A conversation, not an application

    There is no cover letter, no statement of motivation. Instead, a 30-minute conversation: What do you research? What interests you about industry? We assess the fit, and so do you.

  3. PhD researcher reading the match confirmation
    03 GTT

    Match or honest no

    If both sides fit, we propose one specific tandem. One mentor, not three to choose from. If it does not fit, we say so honestly.

    Faster than any application process.

Honest

What is not part of the program.

So you know what you are dealing with. What we cannot promise — and do not want to promise.

  1. 01

    Job guarantee.

    Not even at the mentoring company. The program is explicitly not a recruiting channel.

  2. 02

    Academic supervision.

    Your mentor is an industry professional, not a second reviewer for your dissertation.

  3. 03

    Compensation.

    The program is funded by the participating companies. You pay nothing for participating. But you also do not receive compensation for your time.

  4. 04

    Application support.

    We do not help with scholarships, visas, or applications to German universities. Dedicated counseling services exist for that.

FAQ

What you typically ask.

  1. 01 Do I need to speak German?

    No. You agree on the language with your mentor. English is just as common as German in the program. More than half of current tandems run in English.

  2. 02 Do I need to come to Germany?

    No. All sessions run digitally. If you happen to be in Germany and an in-person meeting fits, that is up to you and your mentor.

  3. 03 What does it cost?

    Nothing for you. The program is funded by the participating companies, not by mentees.

  4. 04 How long does it run?

    Twelve months. One session per month, around 60 to 90 minutes. Plus kick-off and closing reflection.

  5. 05 Who is my mentor?

    Managing directors or technical leads from German GreenTech companies. Before the match you receive a profile and have an introductory call.

  6. 06 Can I apply directly?

    Not directly. We approach you through your university. If you are convinced you fit, write to us anyway — sometimes we already know your university, sometimes we get to know it through you.

Contact

When you are convinced.

We normally approach you through your university. If you want to shortcut that path — write a few lines about what you research and where you are doing your PhD. Two or three sentences are enough.

Email info@greentechtalents.de
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