HAPN Meeting 2025

The Helmholtz Association PostDoc Network, HAPN, held its first Annual Meeting in Berlin on the 10th and 11th of November. 40 people from 17 Helmholtz Centers, the Helmholtz Association, the German Postdoc Network (GPN), Max-Planck-Gesellschaft PostdocNet and Leibniz PostDoc Network gathered at the Max-Delbrück-Center for two days of intense discussions. After a review of the achievements of HAPN since the kick-off last year (such as the formalization of the bylaws, official set up of PostDoc networks across the centers, and initialization of the first Helmholtz-wide PostDoc survey, to name a few), we learned about the Helmholtz Association and cooperation possibilities with the Ombudspersons and the local DEI offices to improve conditions for PostDocs in Helmholtz. The first day then closed with a panel discussion of HAPN, GPN, MPG PostdocNet and Leibniz Postdoc Network on approaches for conducting internal surveys, the structure of the networks and community building.

On the second day, HAPN set sails internally for the upcoming year: Re-organizing the tasks of the Working Groups (WG) and elections of leadership positions. FZJ remains strongly represented. Rhys Jacob (IMD-1) stepped down from his role as Treasurer, but Georg Winkens (also IMD-1) was elected as a new Spokesperson, representing HAPN towards external stakeholders. Together with Krisztina Konya (IAS-7), both will represent the interests of FZJ PostDocs in HAPN for the next year.

If you want to learn more or get involved, please reach out:

Krisztina Konya: k.konya@fz-juelich.de

Georg Winkens: g.winkens@fz-juelich.de