GPN Annual Conference 2027

The Postdoc Journey: Diversity, Wellbeing and Career Development

We are excited to welcome you to the German Postdoc Network (GPN) 2nd Annual Conference!
Join postdoctoral researchers from all disciplines to exchange ideas on the current postdoc landscape and strengthen the nationwide German Postdoc Network (GPN). This conference offers a national forum to connect, co-develop solutions to shared challenges, and explore the postdoctoral experience. Our program will focus on diversity and equality in academia and beyond, mental health and wellbeing in the workforce, and career development beyond your postdoctoral research journey.

Program Highlights: 

  • Keynotes on leadership and diversity in academia
  • Postdoc-tailored workshops to strengthen transferable skills and support well-being
  • World Café peer exchange
  • Many networking opportunities with peers and sponsors
  • Inter- and transdisciplinary poster session to present and discuss your work

Date: Mon, March 1 from 1pm onward until Tues, March 2, 2027 at 3pm

Location: Königlicher Pferdestall, Leibniz Universität Hannover (LUH), Appelstraße 7, 30167 Hannover

Registration deadline: Registration link coming soon.

Who is the conference for?
For postdoctoral or early career researchers in Germany (any stage post-PhD) who want to help build a strong national postdoc community. If you are keen to expand your interdisciplinary network, gain fresh perspectives, and sharpen your transferable skills, this is the conference for you.

Keynote Speakers

Collaborating successfully in diverse teams: avoiding grave risks, realizing great chances

Dr. Silvie Klein-Franke

Keynote Description
Diversity is precondition to achieve excellence & sustainability and comes with a very high risk of polarization and conflict. Realize, how mood matters, how cultural differences can impact the working culture for better or worse and what you can do about it.

Silvie Klein-Franke is a German biologist (Max-Planck Institute of Immunobiology; Germany) and former Professor of Applied Sciences of Human Resources, Organizational Development, Leadership and Change at Management Center Innsbruck, Austria.

Since 25 years she is working as an independent expert for ministries, research- and funding organizations, many prestigious universities and some such companies as counselor and process-facilitator regarding transformation towards a future-proof leadership culture, i.e. able to unfold diversity to harvest excellence and enable sustainability/resilience. Silvie in addition is a professional careers counselor. She has been working with hundreds of female and international academics to support them to navigate their careers meaningfully and successfully. Silvie has conceptualized and helped implement all facets of the SNSF PRIMA Advanced Leadership Program and was a coordinator for the UNESCO awarded International Women’s University Technology and Culture.

From Punk to Prof: On Chance, Becoming, and Leadership in Academia

Prof. Dr. Timo Lorenz

Keynote Description
Rather than presenting a conventional success story, this keynote uses personal turning points to explore four essential themes for early-career researchers. Drawing on the Chaos Theory of Careers, the session examines the impact of chance and non-linearity on academic trajectories. It distinguishes between mentoring and sponsorship, advocating for both forms of support, while challenging the pressure to conform to predefined academic prototypes. Finally, the talk reflects on the transition from self-management to leadership, emphasizing the role of senior researchers in creating environments where others can thrive.

Timo Lorenz is Professor of Work and Organizational Psychology at MSB Medical School Berlin. His research focuses on leadership, positive organizational psychology, psychometrics, and diversity and inclusion. Alongside his research and teaching, he leads and mentors early-career researchers and has developed a particular interest in academic leadership, professional identity, and the conditions under which researchers can develop and thrive.

His own path into and through academia has been anything but conventional, shaping his interest in non-linear careers and in the roles that chance, mentoring, and leadership play in professional development. He brings these perspectives together in his work on how academics grow into their roles, and how, in more senior positions, they begin to shape the environments in which others grow.

Workshops & World Cafe Details Coming Soon!

Become our Conference Sponsors

If you are interested in supporting the conference contact us at annual.conference-wg(at)germanpostdoc.net and we can send you our sponsoring packages

Conference Location & Directions

Königlicher Pferdestall Appelstraße 7, 30167 Nord Hanover

Thank you to Leibniz University Hanover for hosting our conference!

Get in touch with the Annual Conference Working Group for more details on sponsoring, workshop topics and active participation!

Contact us

Join Us & Get Involved

There are many opportunities to get involved further beyond the conference. Do you want to contribute to a network that aims to drive cultural change, that recognizes the societal value and scientific contributions of postdoctoral researchers? Do you want to share your expertise and empower other early career researchers across all disciplines during that career-defining period? Or would you like to help build a hub connecting postdocs and stakeholders? Join in the German Postdoc Network to build a strong foundation for early-career researchers together. – Get more information here.

Curious about the previous conference edition?

On 12–13 March 2026, our first Annual Conference brought together over 100 postdocs from across Germany.
Read more

For the full conference website click here!