Postdoc Day 2025 | Bumps, Bruises, and Breakthroughs

As part of this year's Postdoc Appreciation Week, we invite you to our third Postdoc Day, which is being held in cooperation with the HZDR Career Center.

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Postdoc Day 2025

Bumps, Bruises, and Breakthroughs: Building Careers from Setbacks

Talks & Networking (in English)

Thursday, September 18, 2025 | 3.00 - 8.00 pm

Graduate Academy | Postdoc Center (Mommsenstr. 7, 01069 Dresden)

Postdocs from all disciplines and at all career stages from TUD and HZDR

This year's Postdoc Day theme, Bumps, Bruises, and Breakthroughs: Building Careers from Setbacks, celebrates the resilience and growth that come from overcoming academic challenges. Academic life is rarely a straight path. It's filled with unexpected hurdles, moments of doubt, and inevitable setbacks.

Developing the ability to bounce back and grow from challenges is essential for building a meaningful and sustainable career. By seeking support and learning from each experience, we can transform obstacles into opportunities for personal and professional development.

Join Us and Save Your Spot!

At this year's Postdoc Day, we invite you to share your stories, learn from others, and discover practical strategies for turning setbacks into breakthroughs.

Please register by September 4, via email to
Also, let us know if you are in for the Pub Crawl!

Bring your Epic Fail

Share your best (or worst) failure story (anonymously, if you prefer) by posting it on our Glorious Fails Gallery during the event. The epic tale wins bragging rights and a prize. No worries; you don't need to reveal your identity unless you want to bask in the glory.

So bring your fails, your sense of humor, and maybe a little bit of courage. Because if we can't laugh at our missteps and learn from them, what's the point?

(Preliminary) Programme

3.00 pm	Registration & Coffee Start the afternoon with a coffee, meet your peers, and get ready.
3.30 pm	Welcome & Opening Remarks
3.45 pm	Keynote Between Doubt and Breakthrough – On Failure, Self-Worth, and the Impostor Phenomenon in Academia Prof. Eva Asselmann (HMU Potsdam, Alumna TU Dresden)
4.30 pm	Coffee Break Take a break, connect with other postdocs, and reflect on the ideas shared.
5.00 pm	Panel Discussion Failing Forward – Academia Between Ideal and Reality
5.45 pm	Services & Support for Postdocs Learn more about the resources available to support your journey as a postdoc, your "stepping stones" to success: Postdoc Center of TUD Career Center of HZDR The Postdoc Council Project Scouts European Project Center
6.15 pm	Get-Together We'll wrap up the day with a get-together in our garden, featuring finger food and drinks. ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Postdoc Council's Pub Crawl Why let the evening end when the sun goes down? If you're up for more fun, join the Postdoc Council's Pub Crawl to continue the conversation. Want in? Just mention “I’m in for the Pub Crawl!” in your registration email.