Hi, I am Dominik!

Coach and mentor for PhDs, postdocs and university teachers.

I help early-career academics turn chaos, pressure and doubt into a sustainable academic life that actually feels like freedom.

Guiding Academics towards Academic Freedom

I kept seeing brilliant people burn out, get stuck in uncertainty or quietly give up on the career they actually wanted.

As a certified coach and academic mentor, I help early-stage academics (PhD candidates, postdocs, university teachers) design their academic careers with greater clarity, health, and autonomy.

My approach blends career, motivation, and personal development coaching with deep insight into academic culture, research processes, and leadership.

Why Academic Career Coaching?

Potrait of Dominik E. Fröhlich, university professor and academic career coach

At some point, I realized that my mentoring of PhD students and postdocs was consistently one of the most fulfilling and impactful parts of my work.

This inspired me to complete an advanced coaching certification and formally establish myself as an academic career coach, alongside my professorial role.

Since then, I’ve had the privilege of helping hundreds of early-career researchers gain greater clarity, confidence and freedom in shaping their own academic paths.

Academic freedom begins the moment you decide your career should fit your life, not the other way around.

– Dominik E. Froehlich

Academic Career Coaching and Mentoring Areas

Common themes I work on with clients

Academic Life Design & Career Strategy

For PhDs, postdocs and professors who want to answer: “What kind of academic life do I really want – and how do I get there?”

Building a stable writing habit in messy real life
Dealing with procrastination, perfectionism and fear of reviews
Turning ideas into manuscripts – and manuscripts into submissions

Sustainable Writing Habits & Publication

Helping you build a writing life, not just finish one paper.

Building a stable writing habit in messy real life
Dealing with procrastination, perfectionism and fear of reviews
Turning ideas into manuscripts – and manuscripts into submissions

Focused Productivity & Systems

Designing systems so your work is demanding, but not overwhelming.

Planning semesters, projects and teaching loads without burning out
Using time-blocking and realistic scheduling that fits how you work
Creating personal workflows that can survive a real academic term

Networking, Visibility & Opportunities

Growing the right connections – without becoming someone you’re not.

Mapping and developing supportive academic networks
Turning “random connections” into real opportunities
Designing collaborations and projects that support your bigger goals

Teaching, Supervision & Practice-Based Projects

Bringing your teaching and projects into a coherent career story.

Balancing teaching, supervision and research in a healthy way
Integrating practice-based or collaborative projects into your career narrative
Using teaching and supervision strategically for your academic profile

Wellbeing, Boundaries & “True Academic Freedom”

Protecting the human being behind the academic CV.

Learning to say “no” in a way that still protects relationships
Dealing with pressure, impostor feelings and chronic overload
Moving towards a version of academic life that actually feels like freedom

My Own Academic Path

My own interdisciplinary academic journey has taken me across a wide range of fields, including Education Science, Work Psychology, Sustainability Science, Business, and Computer Science.

Along the way, I’ve led international projects (over 6M USD in funding), received over ten awards for research and teaching, built businesses that have helped me achieve financial freedom – and raised three kids.

It’s anything but a traditional career path, yet it’s deeply my own. I’ve always been drawn to living life on my own terms, even within systems that can feel rigid and standardized at times. Academic appointments in seven different countries have given me a truly global perspective and strengthened my commitment to building bridges across disciplines and cultures.

All of this matters for you because I understand both the pressures and the possibilities of an academic career from the inside.

“Through my work, I want to help more academics define their own version of success beyond metrics or professorships.”

— Dominik E. Froehlich

Who I’ve Worked With

Over the years, my research has been widely cited and recognized with more than ten national and international awards for both research and teaching.

Start Shaping Your Academic Future

Whether you’re exploring new directions or seeking clarity in your next move, I’d be glad to help you evaluate your options and move forward with confidence.

Let’s have a chat