[Fa-l] Postdoc Appreciation Week 2026 | Events & Workshops, 21–25 September

Mon Sep 7 17:12:24 CEST 2026

Dear Postdocs,

Why did you choose academia? Curiosity? The wish to make a difference? The excitement of discovering something new?
And somewhere between experiments, publications, grants and deadlines, it is easy to lose sight of those reasons. Postdoc Appreciation Week offers a chance to pause, connect with fellow researchers, reflect on academic life and look ahead to what comes next. From 21–25 September, institutions across Austria are joining forces to celebrate and support postdocs with a diverse program covering research culture, career development, wellbeing and the changing world of academia.
Find the full program here: https://www.i-med.ac.at/junior-faculty/media/PAW-Austria-2026-Programme-Abstracts.pdf and follow PAW Austria on LinkedIn<https://www.linkedin.com/company/paw-austria/> to stay up to date.

Below, you’ll find a selection of online events you can join:

Monday, 21 September – Research, meaning & resilience
We start the week by looking at one of the foundations of research: How do we know what good science looks like?

  *   The Good, the Bad, and the In-Between: Scientific Quality in the Era of Predatory Publishing
🕙 10:00–11:00 | Online | Register here<https://meduniwien.webex.com/webappng/sites/meduniwien/meeting/register/5e6aedec00844d4f8a7215698b439992?ticket=4832534b00000009f0ca293c92b85f6c04ac594ec6897b74818cdae10b0f6bc1e62085004f853745&timestamp=1788793720511&RGID=rc12db8ce7456e5954b5d39f33a66a09b&isAutoPopRegisterForm=false>
Scientific communication is changing rapidly. Predatory publishing, the rise of large open-access publishers, and now the widespread use of AI are raising new questions about publication practices, quality assurance and good scientific practice. This session invites us to explore how we navigate this increasingly complex landscape.

At almost the same time, another fundamental question awaits:

  *   Meaning in Academic Life
🕥 10:30–11:30 | Register here<https://research-careers-campus.uni-graz.at/de/weiterbildung/?esraSoftIdva=768737>
What motivated you to start a PhD or pursue an academic career and what happens to that motivation when pressure, competition and insecurity take over? Gayannée Kedia opens a conversation about the tension between the ideals that bring us into academia and the realities we encounter along the way. Rather than providing easy answers, the session invites us to reflect on meaning and how we might reclaim it in our academic lives.

We then turn our attention to something that shapes academic careers, often in ways we don't immediately see:

  *   Inequality by Default
🕑 14:00–15:30 | Online & in person |Register for online attendance<https://meduni-ibk.webex.com/webappng/sites/meduni-ibk/meeting/register/eea115e749cf4d1e91b6ce7c51b9dd3c?ticket=4832534b0000000922de4feef855547b9dd316fbc668b2cf04ed3685c2d4c3553ca8337da26d22a0&timestamp=1788793761490&RGID=rd5f24fc6b1b37f27b47f8533de61f1a4&isAutoPopRegisterForm=false> or register for in-person attendance<https://www.termino.gv.at/meet/b/823f54187500c3ae5b4dc7d2a8276eb5-600418>.
Postdoc life comes with enough uncertainty already, but what if the “rules” of academia aren’t actually neutral? Who gets seen as a promising scientist? Who gets asked to take on the organising, mentoring, teaching and care work? And how do gendered expectations shape whose careers move forward and whose stall? Come for the conversation, bring your experiences, and let’s talk about what it would take to make academia more equal in everyday academic life.

Tuesday, 22 September – Wellbeing & career

  *   Aktive Pause
🕦 11:30–12:00 | Online | Register here<https://www.termino.gv.at/meet/b/e4e62d1ca215076ecd506d013ee2575a-601277>
Loosen up, stretch and strengthen your body right at your desk. This short session helps prevent back pain, improve mobility and reduce stress, so you can return to your work feeling refreshed and focused.

  *   Expand Your Network and Opportunities
🕐 13:00–14:00 | Online | Register here<https://www.euraxess.at/paw>
Who is out there and what opportunities might you be missing? Explore ways to expand your professional network and discover research and career opportunities through COST, European Research Infrastructures, EURAXESS, the Marie Curie Alumni Association, the Association of ERC Grantees and other researcher-led networks.

Wednesday, 23 September – Beyond the paper

  *   Beyond Publications and Patents: Impact First
🕚 11:00–12:00 | Online | Register here<https://cloud.tugraz.at/index.php/apps/forms/s/QKrzqM2WdjGFPL594txQEZBm>
How can research make a difference beyond publications and patents? Explore pathways towards societal impact, discover support available along your personal impact journey, and exchange good practices and experiences with fellow postdocs.

And just when you thought AI couldn't become part of another academic conversation…

  *   Panel: AI in Funding
🕛 12:00–13:00 | Online | Register here<https://univienna.zoom.us/meeting/register/gPyj07hAQhWoJGewEyICbw#/registration>
AI is increasingly entering the world of research funding, from peer review and expert selection to efficiency, consistency and transparency in funding decisions. This panel brings together perspectives from funding bodies, universities and the AI ecosystem to discuss opportunities, limitations, governance and what AI-assisted evaluation could mean for applicants, reviewers and research institutions.

Finally, we tackle something that almost every researcher encounters, but few are formally taught how to handle:

  *   Peer Feedback with Clarity and Confidence
🕐 13:00–14:30 | Online | Register here<https://mdw-ac-at.zoom.us/meeting/register/aRmKfnFcTyK2GLLaGZW2_g#/registration>
How do you receive criticism without being derailed by it? How can you turn reviewer comments into a useful revision plan and give feedback that is specific, constructive and fair? In this workshop you will explore practical strategies, templates and perspectives for navigating peer review and academic feedback, including difficult or overly harsh feedback and boundaries in departmental politics. The goal: to approach academic critique as a normal part of scholarly life rather than a personal verdict.

Thursday, 24 September

  *   Expert Talk – Career Paths
🕚 10:00–11:30 | Online | Register here<https://pe4you.aau.at/mod/booking/optionview.php?optionid=1613&cmid=1159&userid=0>
What could your next career step look like? This expert talk takes a practical look at career opportunities for scientists, including professional and private goals, selection procedures, relevant job portals, requirements and benefits followed by time for discussion. A useful opportunity to step back from your current position and think about where you want your academic or non-academic career to go next.

Whether you are looking for new ideas, practical tools, fresh perspectives, new connections, Postdoc Appreciation Week is for you. We hope you’ll find a moment to join, connect and take something valuable away for your research and career.
Pro tip: PAW doesn’t stop at Austria! The German Postdoc Appreciation Week also offers a wide range of online workshops and trainings! Find the full program here: https://paw-germany.de/program-2026/

We hope to see you there!

Best wishes,
Verena

Verena Aignesberger PhD

Medizinische Universität Innsbruck
HR
Fritz-Pregl-Straße 3, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
Tel.: +43 512 9003 71780
verena.aignesberger at i-med.ac.at<mailto:verena.aignesberger at i-med.ac.at>
https://www.i-med.ac.at/

[cid:image001.png at 01DD3EEB.69C27050]<https://www.i-med.ac.at/en/junior-faculty/paw/>

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