Network for PostDocs

PostDoc-College

Postdoc-College – Network for PostDocs

Since 2017, the DRFZ postdocs have established the Postdoc College.

Goals of the network

Increasing visibility

Increasing the visibility of postdocs and their contribution to the scientific output of the institute.

Career development

Opening up career development strategies as an integral part of the postdoc phase (e.g. through workshops and mentoring offers) to prepare for careers within and outside academic research.

Promoting exchange

Establishing a strong network of DRFZ postdocs to foster an exchange of ideas and experiences.

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.

You want to join our team?

We are always happy to welcome new ideas and engage with postdocs who would like to become part of our DRFZ-postdoc network or help us plan activities. Whether you have a suggestion for a new initiative or simply want to get involved – we would love to hear from you!

Your urrent postdoc representatives are Maria Dzamukova (Clinical Rheumatology), Axel Schulz (Mass Cytometry) and Alexandra Damerau (Glucocorticoids and Bioenergetics).

E-mail: postdoc-reps@drfz.de

Events

First Doctoral Students and Post Doc Meet & Greet

It was no April Fool’s joke: on April 1, 2025, the doctoral students and postdocs of the DRFZ met with the Executive Board to exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. From now on, we want to meet regularly so that we can get to know each other and our research and, above all, our daily experiences better. Be part of it!

„Meet the Neighbours“-Symposium

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.