Expect the Unexpected: Preparing and tuning in to new career phases together

Would you have guessed that it took James Dyson more than 5,000 prototypes to create a working bagless vacuum cleaner, or that Albert Einstein’s dissertation was initially rejected? With these and further examples from his keynote speech on the topic of expectations, Jun.-Prof. Philipp Schäpers opened the event week for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers in the Schloss. 

Fail forward – no career without rejection

Academic careers are written as success stories. These include flawless CVs, high-impact publications and highly endowed prizes as well as third-party-funded projects. Rejections or second and third attempts are usually invisible, although they occur in every academic career. In his keynote speech, Schäpers highlighted that this puts additional pressure on early career researchers and suggested a change of perspective: In order to avoid frustration and feelings of guilt, it is important to make expectations – both of oneself and of others – transparent and realistic, he explained from a psychological point of view. Under the slogan “Fail forward”, Schäpers encouraged the doctoral and postdoctoral researchers to normalise failure and emphasised that scientific progress is not possible without mistakes and failures.

Testimonial Talks – Shared experiences as contribution to expectation management

Realistic insights and open discussions were also in focus during the Testimonial Talks, which followed the keynote speech and offered the opportunity to talk to experienced researchers about their doctoral and postdoctoral journeys. What challenges should I be prepared for during my doctorate? How can I make a name for myself as a postdoc with my own research? How compatible are an academic career and care work? With answers to these and other questions, Prof. Dr. David De Vleeschouwer, Dr. Line Naesborg, Dr. Lakshmi Penutil Sunil and Dr. des. David Koch shared their personal paths and experiences in an atmosphere of trust.

Research Pitches – Communicating research clearly

The visibility of one’s own research and its relevance to society is important, but how do you gain it? The renowned science communicator, Vice President of the HTW Berlin and alumna of the University of Münster, Prof. Dr. Stefanie Molthagen-Schnöring, gave an insight into this exciting field with her keynote speech and outlined key factors to be successful in communicating science.

The subsequent research pitches from the fields of onomastics (Dr. Anna-Maria Balbach), biotechnology (Dr. Anne Vortkamp) and work psychology (Laura Berkemeyer, M.Sc.), were excellent examples of how to get a diverse audience excited about one’s own research.

Taking off together – A space to build networks

Throughout the entire week, participants had the opportunity to focus on their own project and to expand their network: at the Market of Opportunities they met staff from relevant service institutions and scientific centres. They worked together with their peers in workshops and the concluding Social Hour of the Postdoc Network Münster encouraged further interdisciplinary and social exchange.

What do you expect from events for (new) doctoral and postdoctoral researchers? We’d love to hear your ideas:  muenster.ceres@uni-muenster.de

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