GPN Annual Conference 2026

Establishing a Strong Postdoc Network and Exploring Career Perspectives & Postdoc Skills

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 gather community input on GPN strategy, structure, and sustainability. Our program will also focus on transferable skills, practical career navigation, and cross-sector perspectives to support careers within and beyond academia.

Program Highlights: 

  • Keynotes on building strong personal networks and finding opportunities
  • Postdoc-tailored workshops to develop practical and mental skill-sets
  • World Café peer exchange
  • Many networking opportunities with peers and sponsors
  • Inter- and transdisciplinary poster session to present and discuss your work

We are excited to welcome you to the 1st Annual Conference of the German Postdoc Network!

Date: Thu, March 12 – Fri, March 13, 2026

Location: Helmholtz Center Munich, Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Oberschleißheim

Registration deadline: Registration is closed since 11 February 2026.

Who is the conference for?
For postdoctoral or early career researchers in Germany (any stage after your 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 your conference.

How can you register/take part?
Register for the conference through the registration link below. Attending the conference is free of charge, however after a confirmation round your registration is binding – help us ensure a fruitful exchange with your in-person participation.

Preferences for Workshops & World Café
Everyone that has been confirmed for the conference should have received an email from us to register their preferences for the Workshops & World Café. In case you did not receive this please contact annual.conference-wg(at)germanpostdoc.net.

Conference Booklet

If you are attending the conference please have a look at our conference booklet (button below) for more details on the agenda, directions, the poster abstracts as well as our sponsors. We are looking forward to meeting you in Munich very soon. 

Conference Booklet

Preliminary Agenda

March 12, 2026 - Establishing a Strong Postdoc Network
13:30 – 14:30: Registration
Arrive and start networking in the Foyer
14:30 – 15:30: Welcome & Opening Ceremonies
Prof Stephan Herzig, Research Director at Helmholtz Munich; Laimdota Zizmare, Spokesperson Annual Conference WG; Tina Scheibe, GPN Founder; Melanie Schippling, GPN Coordinator - Plenary Room
15:30 – 16:30: Keynotes Establishing a Strong Postdoc Network
Keynote Speaker I: Lydia Repke, GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, Leibniz PostDoc Network Spokesperson (2018–2021) Keynote II: Pil Maria Saugmann, Eurodoc President (2024-25), Representative of Early-Career Researchers to the Council of Europe’s Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU) - Plenary Room
16:30 – 17:00: Coffee Break
Connect with like-minded postdocs & network with sponsors in the Foyer
17:00 – 18:00: Building a Thriving GPN Community: A World Café Session
The World Café sessions will take place in the six seminar rooms on the ground floor. We will have 6 tables and 3 rounds. Please check your email that you received as to which session to go to first.
18:00 - 18:15: Wrap up & Group Picture
we will meet back in the plenary to wrap up the world café & take a group picture!
18:15 – 19:00: Poster Session
Our 25 Poster Presenters will present their research in the Seminar Rooms 1 & 6
19:00 - 20:00: Networking Dinner
Please join us for a networking dinner in the Foyer
March 13, 2026 - Career Perspectives & Transferable Postdoc Skills
09:00 – 10:00: Welcome & Follow Up Day 1
We will hear presentations of the world café outcomes; get insights from our advisory board members & hear ideas and feedback from the participants! - In the Plenary Room
10:00 – 11:00: Keynote - The Lucky Mindset – How to Attract Serendipitous Opportunities in your Career
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Anne Schreiter, Executive Director, Guidance Skills & Opportunities (GSO) - Plenary Room
11:00 – 11:30: Coffee Break
Connect with like-minded postdocs & network with sponsors at their booths in the Foyer
11:30 – 12:30: Parallel Workshop Session (Round I)
The Workshops will take place in the six seminar rooms on the ground floor. Please check your email that you received as to which session to go to first.
12:30 – 13:30: Lunch
Lunch will be served in the Foyer
13:30 – 14:30: Parallel Workshop Session (Round 2)
The Workshops will take place in the six seminar rooms on the ground floor. Please check your email that you received as to which session to go to first.
14:30 – 15:00: Wrap-up & Goodbye
We will meet back in the Plenary Room for a outlook with the GPN and to say goodbye.

Keynote Speakers

Dr. Anne Schreiter

Dr. Anne Schreiter is the executive director of GSO – Guidance, Skills & Opportunities for Researchers e.V., an independent nonprofit in Berlin that empowers researchers and institutions through career development and innovative funding programs. She holds a PhD in Organizational Sociology from the University of St. Gallen and conducted research at UC Berkeley. A certified systemic coach, Anne has designed leadership programs and led workshops helping researchers shape their careers within and beyond academia. She serves on the advisory boards of the German Postdoc Network, Network Science Management, and the Kohli Foundation for Sociology.

Dr. Lydia Repke

Dr. Lydia Repke is a team leader at GESIS – Leibniz Institute for the Social Sciences, where she heads the team “Scale Development and Documentation” in the Survey Design & Methodology department. A committed advocate for early-career researchers, she spent four years shaping the Leibniz PostDoc Network, including three as spokesperson (2018–2021) and one as financial officer (2021–2022). As a member and former spokesperson of the Young Academy of Science and Literature | Mainz, she helped build a nationwide network of Young Academies in Germany and remains active in the Leibniz Mentoring Alumni Network. Lydia currently serves on the board of the DGS Section on Sociological Network Research and is part of the German–Spanish Science Network, with her research spanning social networks, survey methodology, and intercultural social relations.

Dr. Pil Maria Saugmann

Dr. Pil Maria Saugmann holds a PhD in Theoretical Physics from Stockholm University. Her current research is within the field of higher education studies. On behalf of European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc) she represents early career researchers in the Council of Europe in the Steering Committee for Education (CDEDU) and as an academic member of its Bureau and in the European Research Area as a representative researchers and innovators within the ERA Fora. She was the president of the Eurodoc 2024/2025.

Workshop Topics

What comes next?

with Dr. Tiffany Paulisch

Workshop Description
This interactive, reflection-based workshop supports postdoctoral researchers who are uncertain about their next career step, within or beyond academia. Combining short trainer input with structured individual reflection and peer exchange, participants explore their current career position, personal drivers, and available resources and identify potential internal barriers. The workshop focuses on gaining orientation and supports participants in outlining realistic next steps to further advance their career, while connecting with peers facing similar questions.
Trainer Background
Dr. Tiffany Paulisch works at the Office for Research and Innovation at the TU Munich, focusing on national research funding with a special emphasis on supporting postdoctoral researchers through the program of the TUM Talent Factory. Here, she advises on funding opportunities for early-career researchers and delivers training on funding strategies and career development. Combining her role as a scientific officer with her experience as an improvisational theatre trainer, she enables others to expand their perspectives and develop an agile mindset.

Self-Care in Academia: Understanding the power of Body-Mind Interaction

with Christina Patel

Workshop Description
Ever wondered how your body, mind, and brain influence each other – and how you can leverage this connection for greater well-being? Join this interactive workshop to explore practical Body2Brain strategies, engage in self-reflection, and connect with fellow PostDocs.
Trainer Background
Senior Advisor for Psychosocial Counseling at the Graduate School of Munich University of Apllied Science, responsible for the Mental Health Qualification Program and the Counseling Roundtable. Deputy contact person of the Anti-Discrimination Office. Background: Certified Systemic Consultant & Therapist, Licensed Psychotherapy Practitioner, currently training as a Systemic Supervisor. Previous roles at the Graduate Center LMU and as Coordinator for ERS International (Exploratory reseach space) at RWTH Aachen University. Holds an M.A. in English and Spanish Studies from the University of Bonn, Universidad Complutense Madrid, and Freie Universität Berlin.

How to Apply for a Professorship in Germany 

with Katharina Lemke

Workshop description
Are you considering a career as a professor at a German university or just starting to apply for professorships in Germany? This compact workshop offers a short introductory impulse followed by an extended Q&A session. In the impulse talk, you will get an overview of the main pathways to a professorship in Germany. We will briefly outline the legal requirements of the typical appointment procedure. Building on this, we will address key aspects of the application process: where to find suitable job advertisements and what German universities usually expect from applicants. The second part of the event is dedicated to your questions. Participants are invited to raise concrete issues related to their own situation – from specific questions on CVs, publication lists and teaching portfolios to uncertainties around fit, timing and strategic considerations when applying in Germany.
Trainer background
Katharina Lemke is Head of the Legal and Advisory Department at the German Association of University Professors and Lecturers (DHV).

Leadership Essentials for Postdocs

with Dr. Irmgard Mausz & Dr. Melanie Vilser

Workshop Description
This workshop introduces postdocs to essential principles of lateral leadership in academia. Participants will explore key leadership theories and models and learn practical techniques for guiding (doctoral) students, fostering collaboration, and navigating challenging situations – strengthening their leadership skills in environments without formal authority.
Trainer Background Irmgard Mausz
Prof. Dr. Irmgard Mausz is a professor of business psychology at the International School of Management in Munich. She also works as a trainer and coach. Her research focuses on topics such as career development and well-being in the workplace. Her training courses focus on leadership, self-management, positive psychology, and job applications.
Trainer Background Melanie Vilser
Dr. Melanie Vilser is a postdoctoral researcher at the University of the Bundeswehr Munich, where she leads the interdisciplinary project “Exploitative Leadership in Digital Collaboration”. She previously worked at the LMU Center for Leadership and People Management and has extensive practical experience in adult education and consultancy through roles at BCG, Allianz, and her ongoing freelance activities. Her work focuses on leadership development, collaboration, and professional skills in academia and organizational settings

Beyond research - discover your competencies

with Dr. Iris Köhler

Workshop Description
In this interactive workshop, postdoctoral researchers explore the full range of competencies they develop throughout their academic careers — far beyond research skills alone. Through guided reflection, practical exercises, and peer exchange, participants identify their transferable skills, learn to articulate them confidently, and discover how these strengths can open diverse career paths inside and outside academia.
Trainer Background
Dr. Iris Köhler supports early-career researchers with passion and expertise in all aspects of career planning. Iris holds a PhD in agricultural sciences from the TU München and completed a postdoctoral stay in the USA. After working in science management and becoming a certified career coach, she founded her own training and consulting company „The Scientist Coach“ in 2019. Since then she has successfully taught over 150 courses with 2000+ participants and deeply enjoys empowering postdoctoral researchers to explore and pursue their next career steps.

Leveraging Interdisciplinarity: Turning Diverse Expertise into Research Strength

with Dr. Iris Mencke

Workshop Description
Inter- and transdisciplinary research has become a key priority in research and innovation, with funding bodies increasingly prioritizing projects that cross disciplinary boundaries. At the same time, working effectively across fields presents practical and conceptual challenges that are rarely addressed explicitly in everyday research practice. This introductory workshop gives an overview of key success factors and best practices for effective interdisciplinary collaboration. Participants will explore common challenges, learn strategies for productive collaboration across disciplines, and gain impulses on how to strategically position an interdisciplinary research profile within their academic career.
Trainer Background
Dr. Iris Mencke is a researcher, trainer, and certified systemic coach with a focus on interdisciplinary competence and career development. She holds a PhD in Psychology and conducted research on behavioral and neural foundations of aesthetic and creative processes. Over more than ten years, she has worked as a project lead in international and interdisciplinary research groups. As the founder of Interdisciplinary Minds, she designs and delivers training formats that support researchers and teams in successful collaboration across disciplinary and sectoral boundaries.

World Café Topics

Topic 1: Strategies for Postdoc participation & engagement

With Dr. Miriam Kretschmer, Deputy Spokesperson from the Max Planck PostdocNet 

Dr. Sherin Bran from the Leibniz Postdoc Network (LPN)

Dr. Rima Siauciunaite from the Helmholtz Association Postdoc Network (HAPN)

Dr. Umesh Gautam, Universitätskilikum Tübingen and member of the Annual Conference WG

Topic 2: Profile development for Postdocs

 

With Dr. Yves Klinger, Gießen University, Speaker of GPN Advocacy WG &

Dr. Jasmin Knopf, University Medical Centre/University Hospital Mannheim and member of the GPN Annual Conference WG

Topic 3: Beyond your bubble - Collaboration across disciplines

with Dr. Nicholas Russel, Humboldt University of Berlin, member of the GPN Survey WG &

Dr. Justine Tanoey, Leibniz Institute for Prevent Research and Epidemiology, member of the Annual Conference WG

Topic 4: From casual chats to collaboration - building your network

With Dr. Martin Blaser, Managing Director Freie Schule Marburg, member of the GPN Annual Conference WG &

Dr. Rachel Gilmore, University Hospital Heidelberg, member of the GPN Annual Conference WG

Topic 5: Mentor-ship in the context of the Postdoc phase - giving and receiving

With Claudia Zeimes, Leadership, Career & Resilience Coach and

Dr. Melanie Vilser, Bundeswehr University Munich, member of the GPN Annual Conference Working Group

Topic 6: Science communication and outreach in context of Postdoc Networks

With Dr. Tina Scheibe, Munich University of Applied Sciences, GPN Founder &

Dr. Simone Fabian, University of Regensburg, member of the GPN Annual Conference Working Group

Our Conference Sponsors

Thank you to our conference sponsors for making the 1st GPN Annual Conference possible and for helping us support postdocs.

Conference Location & Directions

Ingolstädter Landstraße 1, 85764 Oberschleißheim
Plan your trip - how to get there!

Thank you to Helmholtz Munich for hosting our conference!

How to get to the Conference Center

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.