Postdoc Day 2025 - The Broad Spectrum of Bonn's Science Scape
Orientation, Networking and Career Opportunities for Postdocs
The German research landscape includes a broad variety of research institutions. From universities, universities of applied sciences, technical universities, universities of music and the arts to non-university research institutions, federal and state research institutions and research-based industry. A scientific education (doctorate) can therefore lead to many career paths, depending on the contribution one wishes to make to society and to the cultivation of knowledge through research.
The Postdoc Day 2025 will be an unique opportunity to get to know the work at local research institutions belonging to the nationally funded research organizations and think tanks. You can network with colleagues across departments and institutions and to get to know central contact persons at the various institutions.
That’s something for you? Register now and spread the word!
POSTDOC DAY | Networking-Event
Thursday, April 3, 2025
12:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Please register with your work e-mail address provided by your research institution.
Target group
Postdocs as well as doctoral students in the final stages of their studies from the University of Bonn and all members of the Bonn Research Alliance2 (BORA)
Language
English
Location
Universitätsclub Bonn
Konviktstraße 9 | 53113 Bonn

What to expect
This year's Postdoc Day will be dedicated to "The Broad Spectrum of Bonn's Science Scape". Meet colleagues and important contact persons from the University of Bonn and all participating non-university research institutions. Visit our 'Market of Opportunities' fair and take part in exciting networking sessions.
-
Get to know the work and main research areas of local research institutions and think tanks
-
Network with colleagues across departments and institutions
-
Find out about possible career paths and funding opportunities
-
Get to know central contact persons at the various institutions
- Have fun exploring what Bonn as an international science hub has to offer
Program
POSTDOC DAY 2025
Time to arrive. Get your name tag and get your bearings over a cup of tea or coffee.
Now you have different options for how you would like to experience and organize your Postdoc Day.
Get to know the work, research areas, possible career paths and central contacts of local research institutions in the Bonn region. Either visit their booths at the Market of Opportunities or visit their Info Sessions for personal insights from speakers.
Would you prefer to get to know new colleagues quickly? Then off to speed dating!
Colleagues from the university's central support units will also be happy to inform you about the extensive range of services and funding opportunities for researchers.
Time to network. Treat yourself to some finger food and something to drink and use the time to get in touch with colleagues from other research institutions and research areas.
We hope you had a great time, met new people and were able to expand your network. See you next time!
Booths
01:00 p.m. - 04:30 p.m.
BORA Members
Visit the booth of the BORA members and listen to their short info sessions on the second floor (see "Info Session I & II").
Service Units of the University of Bonn
Visit the booth of several Service Units of the University of Bonn. You can also listen to short introductions of their Services direct at the booths at the following times:
02:15 p.m. Bonn Center for Higher Education | Gender Equality Office
02:45 p.m. Bonn Graduate Center - Argelander Grants | Research Support and Funding Advisory
03:15 p.m. International Office | Academic Career Development
03:45 p.m. Office of Family Service | Transfer Center enaCom
Find a list of all participating BORA members and Service Units below.
Info Sessions I
01:30 p.m. “Research and Policy Work at United Nations University, Institute for Environment and Human Security“ | Dr. Simone Sandholz, UNU-EHS
02:00 p.m. “Postdoc Careers: The Role of Networking” | Dr. Anja Günther, MPINB
02:30 p.m. "Postdoctoral Career Paths in German Academia" | Dr. Wiebke Deimann, HR Development University of Bonn
03:00 p.m. “Excelling as a Postdoc in Biodiversity Research - the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change” | Dr. Matthias Geiger & Dr. Karen Meusemann, LIB
03:30 p.m. “Experiments in Economics” | Dr. Michael Seebauer, MPI Coll Goods
04:00 p.m. "From Silos to Synergies: Opportunities in the University’s Transdisciplinary Research Areas" - Dr. Birgit Westernströer and Dr. Oliver Braganza, TRAs University of Bonn
Find a list of all participating BORA members and Service Units below.
Info Sessions II
01:30 p.m. “Fraunhofer SCAI: Computational Science for Industrial Applications” | Dr. Astrid Maaß, Fraunhofer SCAI
02:00 p.m. “Research, Education and Policy Advice at IDOS" - Dr. Christian Böber, IDOS
02:30 p.m. “Research and Policy Advice at bicc - Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies gGmbH” | Dr. Marc von Boemcken, bicc
03:00 p.m. “From Foundation Models to Practice: How to Generate Meaningful Impact?” | Dr. Héctor Allende-Cid, Fraunhofer IAIS
03:30 p.m. “From Brain Cells to Humans – Research for a Better Life” | Dr. Silke Thul, DZNE
04:00 p.m. "The Role of Gender and Diversity in Research” - Hicham Boutouil, Gender Equality Office, University of Bonn; Daina Hues, Equal Opportunity and Diversity Unit, University of Bonn
Find a list of all participating BORA members and Service Units below.
Speed Networking
Take part in our Speed Networking to get to know new colleagues from other research areas.
01:30 p.m. Speed Networking Session I
02:30 p.m. Speed Networking Session II
03:30 p.m. Speed Networking Session III
Each Session: 1 hour with max. 20 participants
Exhibitors & Speakers

Bonn Research Alliance (BORA)
Participating BORA members:
- Fraunhofer Institute for Algorithms and Scientific Computing SCAI
- Fraunhofer Institute for Intelligent Analysis and Information Systems IAIS
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE)
- Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB), Museum Koenig Bonn
- Max Planck Institute for Collective Goods (MPI Collective Goods)
- Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior - caesear (MPINB)
- Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR)
- Bonn International Centre for Conflict Studies (bicc)
- German Institute of Develpment and Sustainability (IDOS)
- United Nations University, Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)
University of Bonn
- Human Resouce Development | Careers plus program
- Staff Unit for the Bonn Research Alliance (BORA)
- Staff Unit Strategic Development and Quality Assurance | Representors of the development of research priorities (Transdisciplinary Research Areas, TRAs)
- Staff Unit Equal Opportunity and Diversity
- Bonn Graduate Center (BGZ) | Argelander Grants
- Funding Advisory and Third-Party Funding Service
- Funding Advisory EU cooperation projects
- Bonn Center for Higher Education (BZH) | Services for teaching staff
- Gender Equality Office
- Office of Family Service
- Welcome Center for International Researchers

The Postdoc Day is held under the patronage of the Vice-Rector for Research and Career Development Prof. Dr. Ilona Grunwald.
It is organized annually by the HR Development Team for Researchers and is being hosted this year in cooperation with the Staff Unit for the Bonn Research Alliance (BORA).
Contact
Petra Best
Dr. Sandra Gilgan
Also read
Bonn Research Alliance (BORA)
Get to know more about the collaboration of the University of Bonn with its 12 members in non-university research.
Qualification Program Careers plus
Expand your competencies with our qualification program Careers plus.
Newsletter Academic Career Development
Stay up to date on important topics related to your academic career.
Links
- https://formulare-ext.verwaltung.uni-bonn.de/lip/action/invoke.do?id=openform&form=EVT¶m1=2131&client=SPE
- https://www.bora.uni-bonn.de/en/members/bora-members
- https://www.bora.uni-bonn.de/de/stabsstelle
- https://www.uni-bonn.de/en/research-and-teaching/doctoral-students-and-postdocs/after-your-doctoral-studies/qualification/postdoc-plus
- https://listen.uni-bonn.de/wws/subscribe/academic-career?previous_action=info