“At the University of Münster we are proud of the vibrant diversity our postdoctoral researchers bring to science, teaching, and university life. Your cultural and disciplinary perspectives enrich our academic community every day. We know the postdoc phase can be a demanding journey, but it also enables innovation and independent research. Drawing from my background in sport psychology, I’ve learned that mutual support and the ability to slow down and regain clarity can make all the difference in long-distance endeavors.

To support you in this phase, our University offers a wide range of tailored services in the view of a sustainable research stay. These range from a good onboarding with information and advice on funding and the bureaucratic framework to career planning, skill development and the involvement in networking initiatives, complementing the mentors and advisors within your departments. These resources are here to accompany you through this phase and support you in recognizing the value of your work and journey.”

Prof. Dr. Maike Tietjens
Vice-Rector for Academic Career Development and Diversity

Network
© Getty Images – sanychss & wildpixel

What’s PAW?

“Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) is an annual celebration of the contributions and achievements of postdoctoral researchers around the world. The first PAW was organised in 2009 by the National Postdoctoral Association (NPA) in the United States [...]. Since its inception, PAW has grown into a global event, with institutions and organisations from several countries, including Canada, Ireland, Germany, Portugal, the UK and, most recently, Austria and the Netherlands participating in the celebration. The week-long event is typically held in the third week of September and features a range of activities, like seminars, workshops, social events, and more.”

PAW Germany

Raising hands
© Canva – ninjaDesign

How to get involved?

If you would like to organise an event for the next PAW, you can submit a session via the PAW Germany website between March and the end of June each year. To stay up to date, you can also join their mailing list for event organisers.

If you are interested in contributing to the events at the University of Münster, the postdoc portraits or the words of appreciation, please e-mail us at:
postdocs@uni-muenster.de.

Other ways to get involved: take part in the events and help spread the word in your faculties, networks, among your peers, and on social media.