This summer, we want to know what happened to the people who helped us create and shape the PostDoc Office in 2022.
Today: Sebastian Gölly. Sebastian was around when we did our big needs analysis – establishing our offers based on the feedback of over 100 postdoctoral researchers. Sebastian contributed to this, then promptly left University of Graz, and how he is back!
1) Where are you today and where did you work during your time in Graz?
I’m a Scientist at the Department of Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure Law and Criminology, where I have the great pleasure and opportunity to do lots of (interdisciplinary) teaching and research in fields that I’m really interested in – e.g. prevention of violence and victim protection/victim’s rights, Criminal Law aspects of Artificial Intelligence and cybercrime or international aspects of crime and legal comparison, to name just a few.
After several years as a pre- and then post-doc assistant at the University of Graz, I worked as a “Rechtspraktikant” at different courts and the Public Prosecutors Office. In 2022, I returned to the University of Graz for my current Scientist position, which offered the opportunity to stay at the university permanently. That was a great relief, because planning security and permanent positions are unfortunately not that common when working in academia...
2) What is your advice on how to make good career decisions and be satisfied in your work life?
Look for a job that you really enjoy and that you like going to every day - or at least almost every day! ;-)
“Success” consists of so many components that can be very individual and different. Being able to choose what you do, how you do it and who you work with is a great privilege and a really fulfilling work helps immensely to be successful and satisfied in your job. And especially in a job in science, which often demands a lot of mental work and creativity, a balance is also worth a lot - private life, hobbies or whatever brings you joy and helps you to clear your head, not least so that you can devote yourself to the challenges of your work with renewed energy!
3) What's a memory of University of Graz that stands out in your mind?
Two experiences at work in recent years come to mind quickly: It was really great to see the overwhelming response to the first major conference I organized: an interdisciplinary symposium in the field of protection against violence with around 150 participants. I’ve been dreaming of such an event for a long time and my current position (and the support of my supervisor, Prof. Gabriele Schmölzer) gave me the opportunity to finally turn it into reality. And now these “Grazer Gewaltschutztage” have already become established and will soon be taking place for the third time at the University of Graz! :)
Furthermore, as I really enjoy teaching, it was especially great for me to receive an award from the Faculty of Law for my teaching, which was based on the positive evaluations of our students. That was great, not least because teaching is otherwise unfortunately an often rather unseen part of our job, so it was good to see that great effort put into teaching is nevertheless appreciated....
Thank you so much for the interview, Sebastian, and for staying in touch!
Interview date: June 16, 2025. Picture credit: Uni Graz/ Radlinger
About the series:
All the interviews are here: Where are they now? The interviews runs from July 21 to Aug 8, 2025. Questions: Johanna Stadlbauer, Research Care