Alumni Relations

DKFZ Connect Platform

Text overlay promoting DKFZ Connect's global community, encouraging users to find networking opportunities. The call to action is "Start Networking." The background features a castle or historic building, enhancing the theme of connection and community.

DKFZ Connect is the online platform for all current and former DKFZ employees. You can join per private email or sync with your LinkedIn profile in just 2 minutes: www.dkfz-connect.de

DKFZ Connect provides jobs, events, news, groups, photos, mentoring and much more

For more information email us. (alumnirelations@dkfz.de)

Alumni Activities

A modern building with multiple floors features large windows and a sleek design, surrounded by greenery and outdoor seating areas. The entrance is accessible via a paved walkway. The image conveys a professional and inviting atmosphere, related to career opportunities at DKFZ. — © Quelle: DKFZ, Foto: T. Schwerdt

DKFZ Connect networking platform: exclusive social media platform for current and former employees including events, mentoring, jobs, Alumni Digest - e-Newsletter, and much more
Alumni e-mail first.lastname(at)alumni.dkfz.de forwarding address
Career Advice Tool "CareerCheck"
Career Events like Career Days, Career Coffee, etc. and access to training courses
Scientific meetings at the DKFZ and abroad eg Science@DKFZ
DKFZ magazines “Intern” and “einblick”
Supportive social and cultural activities for visiting scientists and members of the DKFZ, for example Annual DKFZ & Alumni Reception

DKFZ Careers & Alumni Relations on LinkedIn

You may also be interested in joining our DKFZ Careers & Alumni Relations page on LinkedIN.

To get started, we recommend the Job Hunting Handbook (also available in German). You can enhance your skills with LinkedIn learning and find thousands of job offers.

Did you know that DKFZ students, doctoral and postdoctoral researchers can list DKFZ Education as well as Employer? By listing DKFZ under Education, you will be able to view Alumni statistics on the DKFZ LinkedIn Page.

DKFZ Alumni Advisory Board

What is the Alumni Advisory Board and what can it do for you?

The DKFZ Alumni Advisory Board was established in 2024 to strengthen Alumni engagement and provide strategic support to the Alumni program. Six Alumni from around the world, representing diverse genders, career stages and sectors, meet online twice a year to share perspectives and ideas. The board acts as a sounding board multiplier, connects regional Alumni networks and strengthens DKFZs international profile. Above all, it brings credibility, transparency and inspiration to the Alumni community. All board members are approachable ambassadors for the Alumni community and happy to listen to your ideas, questions and suggestions.

Current Board Members

Previous Alumni Board Members

Emeriti

Prof. Dr. Angel Alonso	Prof. Dr. Peter Bannasch
Prof. Dr. Helmut Bartsch	Prof. Dr. Klaus-Michael Debatin
Prof. Dr. Dr. Klaus Eichmann	Prof. Dr. Jakob von Engelhardt
Dr. Eva Frei	Dr. Martin Görner
Prof. Dr. Thomas Graf	Prof. Dr. Hans-Ulrich Kauczor
Prof. Dr. Dietrich Keppler	Prof. Dr. Fabian Kiessling
Prof. Dr. Hans-Peter Meinzer	Prof. Dr. Anthony B. Miller
Prof. Dr. Dirk Schadendorf	Prof. Dr. Volker Schirrmacher
Prof. Dr. M. Lienhard Schmitz	Prof. Dr. Manfred Volm
Dr. Waldemar Waldeck

Upcoming Events & Gallery

DKFZ Alumni Reception

2026 West Africa

Past Alumni Receptions

Since 2014 it has been a DKFZ Alumni tradition to host an annual reception focusing on a specific region for current and former DKFZ employees. Once per year the DKFZ & Alumni Reception invites Alumni back to the DKFZ to network with current researchers, at the same time celebrate the cultural diversity of the DKFZ community. The event is organised by the DKFZ Alumni Relations team with the support of DKFZ colleagues and Alumni from a specific region.

DKFZ Local get-togethers

These events are about more than nostalgic memories about Heidelberg or simply keeping in touch. They´re about building meaningful connections that support you where you are now. Within a friendly and trusted network, you can learn from others' career paths, exchange ideas, and find support: whether you´re exploring a new position, settling into a new city or organisation or even looking for future collaborators. Above all, they offer a space to connect with like-minded people who share your interests and experiences.

Would you like to reconnect with fellow Alumni in your area? Join us and be part of the conversation.

2026:

21 - 23 August - San Francisco: Annual GAIN Conference
17 September - Hamburg: Alumni Get-Together
20 September - London: Alumni Get-Together

Alumni Project Week - Global Digital Health

The Alumni Project Week “Global Digital Health – Interdisciplinary Challenges from International Perspectives” took place from 20–26 November 2025 in Cologne and Heidelberg. It brought together 25 international Research Alumni and researchers from six German partner institutions (including DKFZ, KIT, the Universities of Cologne, Münster, Siegen and Heidelberg University).

Participants from developing, emerging, and industrialised countries engaged in interdisciplinary exchange through lectures, panel discussions, lab visits, and a cultural programme. The aim was to foster international scientific exchange, strengthen collaborations, and enhance alumni networks.

The programme focused on global challenges and opportunities in digital health, particularly in areas such as prevention, diagnostics, healthcare, and AI.

Out of nearly 100 applications, 24 alumni were successful with their scientific projects. They represented all partner institutions and came from a wide range of countries including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, Finland, Ghana, Iceland, Japan, Mexico, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Tanania, Turkey, Hungary, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.

Funded by

The project Global “Digital Health - Interdisciplinary Challenges from International Perspectives” is supported by the DAAD with funds from the Federal Foreign Office (AA) and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Public Lectures

M. CRISTINA POLIDORI
Thur 20 Nov 2025, 6.30-7.30 p.m., University of Cologne

M. Cristina Polidori is Full Professor and Head of Ageing Clinical Research at Cologne University Hospital and a leading expert in gerontology, geriatrics, and healthy ageing. Her research focuses on innovative approaches to healthy ageing, including digital solutions, and she is widely recognized for her contributions to person-centered medicine.

MERLIN GREUEL
Mon 24 Nov 2025, 6.00-7.30 p.m., DKFZ Heidelberg

Merlin Greuel is a global health researcher at the Heidelberg Institute of Global Health, focusing on digital tools and storytelling approaches to promote health knowledge and behaviour. Alongside his research, he works in biotech as a Director at Bioscience Valuation and CFO of the startup Bioptamers.

EVA WINKLER
Wed 26 Nov 2025, 2.00-3.00 p.m., DKFZ Heidelberg

Eva Winkler is Professor of Translational Medical Ethics at Heidelberg University and oncologist at Heidelberg University Hospital. Her work focuses on ethical issues in research, clinical practice, and public health, and she holds leading roles in several national and international ethics bodies.

Project Partners
Universität Heidelberg Research Alumni Netzwerk	Jella Friedrich & Silke Rodenberg
Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum (DKFZ) DKFZ Careers Service & Alumni Relations	Sally Böhm mit Dr. Barbara Janssens & Marion Gürth
Universität zu Köln Research Alumni	Frank Hasenstab
Universität Siegen Forscher-Alumni-Programm	Dr. Susanne Padberg & Dr. Nina Fenn
Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT) Research Alumni Network	Oliver Kaas
Universität Münster Research-Alumni Strategy	Audrey Busch

Team

Career Service & Alumni Relations Team

Financial Support

You are welcome to financially support Alumni activities. This donation is tax deductible within Germany ("Spendenbescheinigung" will be provided if you specify your address).

Sparkasse Heidelberg
IBAN: DE98 6725 0020 0005 0000 50
BIC (SWIFT): SOLADES1HDB

You can also send your donation directly by using the online donation form.

Please fill in ‚M018 Alumni Relations' as purpose (Verwendungszweck) in both cases.