PostDoc-College

To foster a supportive and collaborative postdoc community, we have launched several initiatives that promote both scientific and non-scientific exchange. These include regular lunch meetings for informal networking as well as workshops on career development and additional qualifications, as well as sport activities to encourage work-life balance and social interaction.

A key part of our activities is the “How to” postdoc meeting series, which serves as an open platform for postdocs from all disciplines to share expert knowledge and practical advice. These informal sessions provide a space to discuss the many aspects of everyday scientific life that go beyond research itself – such as project management, administrative tasks, time management, or meeting organisation. The topics and dates are announced via our mailing list, and we warmly invite all postdocs to contribute their ideas and experiences.

To promote networking with other postdocs in the immediate vicinity, the “Meet the Neighbours” symposium was held for the first time in August 2022. Together with the Max Planck Institute for Infection Biology and the Max Planck Unit for the Science of Pathogens, there was a day of impulse lectures on our scientific work and discussion rounds on topics such as acquiring third-party funding, mental health and career planning. Here, the basis was created for informal exchange, but also for future cooperation.