Following her legal studies and having fully qualified as an attorney Barbara has worked for over 20 years in the Human Resources management of different companies where she developed and deployed a variety of personal recruiting instruments from job interview to assessment center. Postgraduate business studies and qualifications as organization consultant, trainer and coach complement her academic background. In 2008 she founded KEPOS and has worked since on behalf of non-university research centers and universities with doctoral students and postdocs in the field of life science and others on questions regarding their professional orientation and their career objectives. She trains groups in the development of personal career goals and in all phases of the application process. Moreover, she advises experienced scientists at the transition into alternative careers outside academia. Beside her legal expertise in employment and academic law she is well-versed in the conception and execution of workshops and in the professional use of counseling and coaching tools. After a multiple-year leave of absence she resumed a main occupation as head of personnel and organisation in the public service in 2017.

Gaby holds a PhD in chemistry and a BSc. in psychology. She spent more than 17 years in various management positions at a DAX 30 company in Germany and the US, leading teams of experts and executives and gaining extensive experience in all phases of working with employees - from hiring to development, (promotion) and change. Gaby has supplemented her practical experience with training as a business, career and team coach, trainer and e-tutor. She has been self-employed since 2012, coaching natural scientists and providing training to groups of PhD students and postdocs. Her focus is on the transition from academia to industry (positioning, orientation, application) and leadership topics.

 
 

Born in Beirut, Zeina has an academic background in Oriental Studies and has extensive experience as a project manager and lecturer in academia. Her expertise is underpinned by her professional and personal experience working in the Middle East, Europe, North America and Australia. Since 2001, she has worked as a consultant in intercultural communication and international cooperation with a focus on Arab countries, USA, Australia and Germany. Her biography and qualifications enable her to best convey the skills necessary to successfully communicate across cultural boundaries and to recognize, understand and correct misunderstandings.