Networking Measures
A strong professional network can transform your postdoctoral experience, opening doors, creating opportunities, and shaping your future career. With initiatives designed specifically for postdocs, the Postdoc Academy offers targeted opportunities to meet colleagues from other institutions, explore interdisciplinary collaborations, and consider career paths beyond academia.
Credits: Simon Brunel - Limo for Research
The Hit the Jackpot funding program of the Postdoc Academy of the Berlin University Alliance supports postdoc-driven networking projects with up to €10,000. It empowers early-career researchers to realize innovative ideas that advance their careers through interdisciplinary, interinstitutional, or international collaboration.
Projects can range from workshops and conferences to retreats or digital platforms – as long as they create meaningful connections and foster sustainable professional networks. Each proposal must be submitted by at least two postdocs from different BUA institutions and should clearly demonstrate its contribution to career development.
Hit the Jackpot Call 2025
With its third open call “Hit the Jackpot”, the Postdoc Academy at the Berlin University Alliance invited postdoctoral researchers to design and implement their own networking and career-development initiatives. The call aimed to strengthen peer exchange, interdisciplinary collaboration, and innovative formats that support postdocs in actively shaping their career paths, offering funding of up to €10,000 per project. We are excited to announce the selected winning projects, which address topics ranging from cutting-edge metagenomics and research integrity to interdisciplinary approaches in consciousness research. The funded initiatives highlight the diversity, creativity, and strong collaborative spirit of the postdoc community across BUA institutions.
Dr. Vitor, Cedran Piro (FU)
Dr. Sofia, Paraskevopoulou (RKI)
Dr. Shuba, Varshini Alampalli (CH)
The Berlin Metagenomics Network (BeMGNet) is a professional development initiative designed to create a cohesive platform for postdoctoral researchers working in the rapidly evolving, interdisciplinary field of metagenomics. By strengthening metagenomic data analysis, the network will help address key challenges such as host–microbiome interactions, “One Health” focused antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and pandemic preparedness. BeMGNet aims to build a city-wide community for sharing bioinformatics expertise and to encourage collaborative grant development among postdoctoral researchers and PhD students from BUA/BR50 institutions (FU, Charité, RKI, etc.). The project will be delivered through seasonal one-day workshops and a focused retreat, supported by an open-access online hub for knowledge exchange and resource sharing. Together, these activities promote interdisciplinary collaboration, support high-impact publications and joint funding applications, and ensure long-term sustainability through an organizing committee and the strategic pursuit of follow-up grants.
Dr. Timo Schmidt (FU)
Dr. Stephan Krohn (CH)
This career development project, "Causal Mechanisms of Altered Experiences," addresses a critical gap in consciousness research by creating an interdisciplinary network for postdocs across neuroscience, psychiatry, philosophy, and computational modelling. While research on altered experiences (from schizophrenia to psychedelic states) is expanding, the field currently lacks a unified framework to connect causal mechanisms studied across these diverse disciplines. The initiative's core objective is to establish a shared language and collaboration platform among early-career researchers, preparing them for joint grant applications—specifically a larger DFG Research Unit (FOR) proposal. This will be achieved through a series of integrated events in March 2026: a linkage with the Berlin Symposium on Stroboscopic Light, a dedicated Postdoc and Early-Career Workshop to outline collaborative projects, and a public science-communication day with international artists to enhance visibility and societal relevance. The project's sustainability will be ensured through ongoing online networking, peer mentoring, and the coordinated preparation of joint publications and funding proposals.
Dr. Anna Abalkina (FU)
Dr. Torsten Rackoll (CH)
Dr. René Aquarius (external collaborator, RU, NL)
This two-day workshop is a vital career development and networking initiative for postdoctoral and early-career researchers focusing on the growing, multidisciplinary threat of scientific paper mills—for-profit entities producing large-scale fraudulent research. Its primary objectives are to build a foundational network of experts, bridge disciplinary isolation, discuss crucial funding opportunities and research gaps, and foster international collaboration to advance this novel field. As a potential outcome of the workshop, participants will discuss and explore the development of a jointly authored policy-oriented summary aimed at informing relevant stakeholders about strategies for detecting and preventing paper mills. Professional relationships established during the workshop will be maintained post-event through a mailing list and a dedicated social media group, supporting continued exchange and collaboration and contributing to longer-term efforts to improve research quality and public trust in science.
Hit The Jackpot Call 2024
In 2024, the call invited early-career researchers from Freie Universität, Humboldt-Universität, TU Berlin and Charité to transform bold ideas into career-building collaborations. Proposals could target regional, national or, for the first time, international partnerships that bridged disciplines and sectors. The funding covered material costs and supported formats from themed workshops to digital platforms, with networking and career development at the center. Submissions were assessed for ambition, feasibility, reach and long-term impact.
The Hit the Jackpot Awards on 13 February 2025 at Humboldt Graduate School united past and present winners for an afternoon of showcases and peer learning. The 2024 laureates outlined their projects and early achievements.
Dr. Jelena Brasanac, Charité, and Dr. Torben Ott, HU
The retreat fosters exchange between postdocs and early-career principal investigators. Workshops on grant writing, leadership, and application strategies, as well as mentoring pairs, support career development and create a sustainable networking platform.
Dr. Rouven Symank, FU, and Dr. Alexandra Paulin, HU
The think tank connects researchers, museum professionals, and policy experts from Berlin and Paris to deepen the dialogue on cultural restitution. A hybrid workshop and a series of policy papers provide long-term momentum and enhance international visibility.
Dr. Shadi Bagherzadeh Azbari, Charité, und Dr. Yu-Fang Yang, FU
EmoLeaders empowers postdocs through training in emotional intelligence, resilience, and intercultural leadership. Workshops, a digital peer-support network, and multilingual resources promote an inclusive and global research community.
Upcoming EmoLeaders Events
Emoleaders: Exploring Leadership Through Emotional Intelligence
Funded by the Berlin University Alliance (BUA) | Hit the Jackpot Initiative
We’re pleased to invite you to the next two events in the EmoLeaders workshop series after the Berlin summer break. These sessions bring together early-career researchers, leaders, and professionals to reflect on how emotion, identity, and institutional culture shape the realities of academic leadership.
Mailing list / registration: https://forms.gle/t2KGa36mWUwd4KM76
Follow us on LinkedIn to stay updated: https://www.linkedin.com/company/106511119
Workshop #5 – Science in Precarious Times
Date: 27 November 2025 | Time: 17:00 | Venue: Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin
Our next and final workshop of the year explores how academic freedom, structural inequalities, and political pressures shape research environments. With inputs from Dr. Nassim Mehran, Dr. Ranja Bhowmik, and Prof. Dr. Hanna Zimmermann, we will discuss discrimination, resistance, and democratic futures in academia — followed by an open Q&A and shared meal.
Register here: https://forms.gle/wufc1u5qdm4Z2foK8
Recap series on LinkedIn: First posts now online
Workshop #4 – From ECRs to Professors: Women and Gender-Diverse Voices in Academic Leadership
Date: 21 October 2025 | Time: 18:00–20:00 | Venue: Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin
What does it really take to move from early-career researcher to leadership, especially when your background, language, or identity doesn’t fit the mold? This session brings together three scholars to discuss the quiet realities behind academic career paths:
- Dr. Marina Pigaleva (Freie Universität Berlin): How students imagine leadership
- Dr. Claudia Seldin (TU Berlin): Rebuilding support systems as a migrant academic
- Dr. Nina Tolksdorf (Freie Universität Berlin): Why representation doesn’t always mean recognition
Together, they’ll open an honest conversation about gender, voice, power, and what still needs to change. The event includes an open Q&A and time to connect over snacks and drinks.
Workshop #3 – Emotions Under Pressure: Leading When It’s Not Easy
Date: 25 September 2025 | Time: 18:00–20:00 | Venue: Charité Campus Mitte, Berlin
What happens when leadership becomes difficult- emotionally, interpersonally, or structurally? This session explores how to lead through uncertainty, conflict, and emotional strain.
Speakers:
- Dr. Shadi Bagherzadeh Azbari (Charité)
- Peggy Kaas (PSKAAS Academy)
- Dr. Prateep Beed (MIND Foundation)
- Dr. Yu-Fang Yang (Freie Universität Berlin)
The event includes an open Q&A and time to connect over snacks and drinks.
Hit The Jackpot Call 2023
Hit the Jackpot 2023 marked the debut of the event. The call welcomed diverse formats, from interdisciplinary workshops and podcasts to informal common rooms and lunch-and-learn groups, with career development as the central focus. Applications were evaluated for reach, feasibility, impact and innovation.
Dr. Rico Neumann, TU, and Dr. Lena Masch, FU
The project equips postdocs with skills in professional science communication - from developing their own websites and social media strategies to inclusive science outreach.
A podcast that explores sustainable chemistry and its societal relevance in an interdisciplinary context.
Dr. Katarina Riesner, Charité, and Dr. Jorge Torres Gómez, TU
A platform that connects life sciences and engineering to foster joint publications, workshops, and funding proposals.
Dr. Daniela Krüger, Charité, and Dr. Nina Margies, HU
A training program that empowers female postdocs by building skills in media engagement, public science communication, and increasing their visibility.
Dr. Riccardo Pennetta, HU, and Dr. Katayoun Gharagozloo-Hubmann, FU
Citywide, multidisciplinary discussion evenings in Berlin focusing on topics such as science, mental health, and diversity.
Networking Events
A strong professional network can transform your postdoctoral experience, opening doors, creating opportunities, and shaping your future career. With initiatives designed specifically for postdocs, the BUA offers targeted opportunities to meet colleagues from other institutions, explore interdisciplinary collaborations, and consider career paths beyond academia.
From high-profile annual events like Hit the Jackpot and the Staff Training Week, the BUA offers diverse ways to build meaningful connections. Each encounter not only expands your professional circle but also sparks fresh ideas, initiates innovative projects, and lays the foundation for lasting partnerships. Below, you'll find an overview of key formats and practical tips to help you maximize these networking opportunities.
Looking Back at Past Events
2025
From 23–27 June 2025, Freie Universität Berlin hosted the 13th International Staff Training Week, themed “Empowering Postdoc Support: Innovative Strategies and Global Collaboration”. After a leadership welcome, a campus scavenger hunt and summer reception set an informal tone. Over the next days, participants shared best practices on digital research tools, mentorship, and support for scholars at risk in sessions with partners from Europe, Africa, and Asia. A dedicated career day highlighted paths beyond academia and ended with a joint summer party and campus run. Throughout the program, participants exchanged expertise, built new networks, and gained practical inspiration for strengthening postdoc support at their home institutions.
2024
On 8 July 2024, the BUA Postdoc Academy gathered more than 80 postdoctoral researchers at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities for a full-day focus on global collaboration. Keynote speaker Christian Kobsda (Max Planck Society) outlined trends in international research partnerships, while Dr Lara Abel (University of Cambridge) shared lessons from joint projects. Trainer Dr. Jo Havemann then led a three-part workshop on building cross-border networks, refining project ideas, and pitching for funding. Mid-day, the academy unveiled its Hit the Jackpot 2024 call, inviting participants to turn their concepts into funded collaborations.
2023
On 28 November 2023, the DIY Hands-On Experience gave BUA postdocs a crash course in turning research into real-world impact. At the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities, trainer Amanda Wichert guided peer-coaching and design-thinking sprints that aligned personal goals with market-oriented project ideas. The afternoon highlight, the TU Berlin “Serious Transfer Game”, put participants face-to face with technology-transfer dilemmas from IP to start-ups, demystifying innovation in a risk-free setting.
2023
On 19 June 2023, the BUA Postdoc Academy convened postdoctoral researchers from Freie Universität, Humboldt-Universität, Technische Universität Berlin, and Charité for a day of focused networking at the Berlin-Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities. The event paired guided networking rounds with expert-led coaching and design-thinking workshops, giving participants concrete tools to build robust, cross-disciplinary connections. Throughout the sessions, postdocs exchanged ideas, identified collaboration opportunities, and drafted project concepts, potentially laying the groundwork for applications to the “Hit the Jackpot” funding call.
Credits: Simon Brunel - Limo for Research
Contact
Dr. Nadia Zysman - program manager
T: +49 30 838-55626
E: postdocs@berlin-university-alliance.de