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

Academic life is rarely a straight path. It's filled with unexpected hurdles, moments of self-doubt, and inevitable setbacks. Developing the ability to bounce back and grow from these challenges and setbacks is essential for building a meaningful and sustainable career. So this year's Postdoc Day theme, Bumps, Bruises, and Breakthroughs: Building Careers from Setbacks, celebrates the resilience and growth that come from overcoming challenges. 

Join Us and Save Your Spot!

We invite you to share your stories, learn from others, and discover practical strategies for turning your doubts and setbacks into breakthroughs. You can also learn more about the research services at the TU Dresden - or, as we would call them, the stepping stones for your research journey.

Please register by September 11 by emailing 
Also, let us know if you are in for the Pub Crawl with the Postdoc Council afterward!

Program

3.00  Registration & Coffee
Start the afternoon with a coffee, meet your peers, and get ready.
3.30

Welcome & Opening Remark | Professor Angela Rösen-Wolff
Vice-Rector Research and Technology Transfer
Director of the Graduate Academy / Postdoc Center
3.45 Keynote | Prof. Eva Asselmann (HMU Potsdam, Alumna TU Dresden)

Between Doubt and Breakthrough – On Failure, Self-Worth, and the Impostor Phenomenon in Academia
4.30  Coffee Break & Glorious Fails Gallery 

Share your best (or worst) failure story/learning (anonymously, if you prefer) by posting it on our Glorious Fails Gallery.

There will be a prize ... and no worries; you don't need to reveal your identity unless you want to bask in the glory.
5.00 

Panel Discussion| Failing Forward – Academia Between Ideal and Reality with:
5.45 

Research Services & Support for Postdocs
Learn more about the people and services available to support your journey as a postdoc, your "stepping stones" to success, such as career advice, funding, and networks that work for you:
6

Get-Together @ GA
We'll wrap up the day with a get-together in our garden, featuring finger food and drinks. There will be plenty of time to get in touch, discuss your questions, and connect with your peers.
Open End

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.

Any questions?
Get in touch!

Angela Böhm

Deputy Head of Unit

Name

Angela Böhm M.A.

Career Development , TUD Young Investigators, PR & Events

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Organization Name

Graduate Academy | Postdoc Center

Graduate Academy | Postdoc Center

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Visiting address:

Graduiertenakademie Mommsenstraße 7

01069 Dresden

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Office hours:

Appointments by arrangement

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Angela Böhm
Last modified: Sep 02, 2025