„Postdocs are essential research innovators who are able to initiate decisive impulses for scientific developments. They enhance our university’s standing, nationally and internationally.“ With these words, Acting Rector Peter Riedler opened the event „Shaping PostDoc Careers. From Short-Term Contracts to Long-Term Impact“ on May 12, 2022. In the foyer of the Central Library, 80 participants celebrated the official start of comprehensive services for postdoctoral researchers.
Among the speakers was the President of the FWF, Christof Gattringer. He emphasized that it is crucial for the academic system to invest in early career researchers. 69% of the researchers currently funded by the FWF are under 36, according to Gattringer in his presentation of the FWF funding programmes for the early career phase. Gattringer also shared "lessons learned" from his personal PostDoc time and was available for many interested questions. Political scientist Derya Özkaya from the Center for Southeast European Studies then outlined the challenges of being a researcher on a temporary contract from the perspective of affect and emotion studies and located them in the current structures of the academic job market. Özkaya ended with a call to “not quit”, support each other and work in solidarity to improve conditions.
The evening was rounded off by the Vice Rector for Research and Career Development at the University of Graz, Joachim Reidl, who built connections to the two previous speakers in his remarks on the PostDoc phase and presented the ideas behind the PostDoc initiative. The University of Graz has been first Austrian university to open a PostDoc Office for its currently 357 PostDocs in temporary contracts, providing funding offers to support this employee group in developing an independent research profile, peer mentoring, a course programme, public events that shine a light on PostDocs, networking and information events for the target group, and personal coaching.
Report: Johanna Stadlbauer
Official report by the Press and Communications Department: https://intranet.uni-graz.at/Lists/Intranetnews/DispForm.aspx?ID=1490