KHYS Postdoc Days 2023

2.30–4 p.m.
Large Conference Room, International Guest Lecture House (Heinrich Hertz, 01.52), Engesserstraße 3

Have you just started your postdoc at KIT? And would you like to know more about the services offered at KIT for postdocs? Then come and join other German and international KIT postdocs at the Welcome Event for Postdocs.
We will give you plenty of information on how to best profit from the postdoc phase – including information on networking and internationalization programs as well as services offered at the KHYS Postdoc Office and other service units at KIT. In addition, there will be two brief testimonials by more advanced early career researchers. They will share their experiences with you concerning their own postdoc phase and will be happy to answer your questions.
This event is open to postdocs at KIT who are KHYS members. It will be most interesting in particular for those who have recently started their postdoc phase at KIT.

Speaker: Jana Schmitt, KHYS
Format: In-person
Target group: New Postdocs of KIT, members of KHYS
Max. Participants: 40

4.30–6 p.m.
Large Conference Room, International Guest Lecture House (Heinrich Hertz, 01.52), Engesserstraße 3

If you pursue a career in academia, the postdoc phase is the crucial stage to set the course to succeed as scientist. Although a complete doctorate generally demonstrates your aptitude for scientific work, as a postdoc you should not only focus on acquiring further scientific knowledge and skills, but also on becoming visible as an independent scientist.
In our panel discussion, experts and role models will talk about the different aspects and dimensions of how to develop a unique profile as a scientist. What are the major strategic decisions that should be made in this regard, and what small steps can already be taken in your current position as a postdoc? How can superiors, mentors, peers and central service units support you on your way to become a visible independent researcher?
In the subsequent get-together with beverages and snacks you will have the chance to get to know your fellow postdocs at KIT.

Panelists:

• Junior Research Group Leader Dr. Julian Quinting (Research Associate at the Institute of Meteorology and Climate Research, holder of an ERC Starting Grant)
• Professor Dr. Stefanie Dehnen (Executive Director and Research Unit Chair of the Institute of Nanotechnology and spokesperson of the Review Board for Molecular Chemistry at DFG)
• Professor Dr. Mehdi Tahoori (Professor and Chair of Dependable Nano-Computing (CDNC) at the Institute of Computer Science & Engineering)
• TT-Professor Dr. Barbara Bruno (Head of the Research Group "Socially Assistive Robotics with Artificial Intelligence" (SARAI) at the Institute of Anthropomatics and Robotics IAR)

Speaker: Dr. Bärbel Tress, TRESS ACADEMIC
Format: In-person
Target Group: Early career researchers
Max. participants: 90

9.30–11 a.m.
online (zoom)

Are you a postdoc thinking about starting a second postdoc phase at KIT? Or maybe you are just about to finish your doctorate and would like to learn more about the next step in academia? In this lecture, Jana Schmitt, coordinator of the Postdoc Office at KIT, will outline the possibilities of becoming a postdoc at KIT, the offers and services that are available to you as a postdoc, and how you can use this important qualification phase well for yourself and your career. In addition, Oliver Kaas, advisor at the International Scholars & Welcome Office at KIT, will give you an overview on services and support structures for incoming international scientists and Ines Köhler, coordinator of the Young Investigator Group Preparation Program, will introduce you to KIT´s funding program for international postdocs that will qualify you for a successful academic career.

Speakers: Jana Schmitt (KHYS), Oliver Kaas (IScO), Ines Köhler (YIGPrepPro)
Format: Online (zoom)
Target group: Postdocs, Postdoc Aspirants, International Postdocs
Max. participants: 60

2–3.15 p.m.
online (zoom)

In this online lecture, our expert Anna Dost from KIT´s Research Office (FOR) will introduce you to the most important funding schemes in the postdoc phase and present available services for postdocs at KIT in this regard. However, the main focus of her talk will be on funding options with a view to your next career stage. 

Speaker: Anna Dost (FOR)
Format: Online
Target group: Postdocs, Postdoc Aspirants, International Postdocs
Max. participants: 80

9 a.m.–1 p.m.
online (zoom)

To progress in their scientific career, a postdoc needs to develop a distinct profile as a researcher. One way to distinguish yourself from the competition in your field is by gaining a reputation for being a consistently original thinker. Although we all are able to have new ideas, the challenge often is to generate them when needed. To advance your abilities to deliberately generate novel approaches, particularly for developing innovative research projects, this seminar introduces principles and tactics based on the study of creative thinking in science and related domains. 
Important subjects of this concise course will thus be:

• How to identify topics with funding potential
• Tactics for adopting new perspectives on research problems
• Tactics for developing novel solutions to research problems

With this seminar, you will acquire a first set of thinking tools that allow you to think in an imaginative fashion at will and thus, for example, to respond to a wide(r) range of funding calls.

Speaker: Dr. Stefan Götze (KHYS)
Format: Online
Target group: Postdocs, Postdoc Aspirants, International Postdocs
Max. participants: 60

1.15–3.50 p.m.
online (zoom)

In this 15-minute one-to-one sessions Jana Schmitt, coordinator of the Postdoc Office and career counsellor, will give personal advice on your individual questions on how to become a postdoc at KIT. 
First come, first served.

1.15 p.m. – 1.30 p.m.
1.35 p.m. – 1.50 p.m.
1.55 p.m. – 2.10 p.m.
2.15 p.m. – 2.30 p.m.
2.35 p.m. – 2.50 p.m.
2.55 p.m. – 3.10 p.m.
3.15 p.m. – 3.30 p.m.
3.35 p.m. – 3.50 p.m.

Speakers: Jana Schmitt (KHYS)
Target group: Postdocs, Postdoc Aspirants, International Postdocs
Format: Online
Max. participants: 8

11–12 a.m.
online (zoom)

The promotion of early-career researchers and young scientists is a top priority at KIT. In this event, KIT Career Service will present their services for postdocs and give you an overview of what is important when you are applying for jobs outside of academia. Our expert, Sabine Reiser, will focus on CVs and cover letters to give you a head start in the application process.
This event is open to all postdocs and those interested in becoming a postdoc.

Speaker: Sabine Reiser (Career Service)
Format: Online
Target group: Postdocs, Postdoc Aspirants, International Postdocs
Max. participants: 60

3–5 p.m.
Campus South, Adolf-Würth-Building (11.30), Foyer

Are you a postdoc looking for information regarding attractive career options outside academia? Are you aware of what future employers expect from you and how to apply in the best possible way? Are you wondering how to make the best of your postdoc phase to qualify for future occupations?

A representative of the Human Resources Department of SIEMENS as well as a postdoc who has left academia to pursue a career there will share practical tips, insights and experiences on how to successfully transition to SIEMENS. They will also answer your questions in a Q&A session. During the last bit of the event, you will get the possibility to talk, network and exchange experiences over coffee and cake.

Speaker: Jana Schmitt (KHYS)
Format: In-person
Target group: Early career researchers
Max. participants: 40

4.30–5.30 p.m. + Get together
Campus South, Seminarraum A/B (30.95)

Join the first KIT Postdoc Meeting and get in touch with other KIT postdocs. Learn about their research projects and inform yourself about relevant topics concerning the postdoc phase.
We will start with a short keynote speech on "Career Planning in a Nutshell for Postdocs". Following the keynote lecture, two KIT postdocs each can briefly present themselves and their research project. Be part of a vivid postdoc community at KIT!

Program:
4.30 p.m.    Impulse lecture on “Career Planning in a Nutshell for Postdocs” + Q&A
5.00 p.m.    Presentation of two postdocs at KIT
5.30 p.m.    Get-Together with Snacks and Beverages
        
From now on, you can hand in your topic suggestions for upcoming KIT Postdoc Meetings here: postdoc ∂does-not-exist.khys kit edu

The next KIT Postdoc Meeting will take place on Friday, December 8, 2023.

Speaker: Jana Schmitt (KHYS)
Format: In-person
Target group: Postdocs at KIT
Max. participants: 40