Postdoc Appreciation Week Austria 2025
Design: William Knaack
Sept 21-25, 2026
Postdoc Appreciation Week (PAW) Austria is a national collaborative initiative that unites researchers, research institutions, postdoc office coordinators, and research managers to celebrate and recognise the outstanding contributions of postdoctoral researchers across Austria.
Throughout the week, participating partners offer a rich program of workshops, public events, and a coordinated social media campaign, all aimed at highlighting the essential role of postdocs in driving research and innovation.
PAW Austria is a collaborative national initiative supported by 19 institutions from all over Austria: Universität Wien, Technische Universität Wien, Institute of Science and Technology Austria, LBG Career Center, Medizinische Universität Innsbruck, Johannes Kepler Universität Linz, Complexity Science Hub, Medizinische Universität Wien, Universität Graz, OeAD – Österreichs Agentur für Bildung und Internationalisierung, Technische Universität Graz, Universität für Musik und darstellende Kunst Wien, Universität Klagenfurt, Austrian Academy of Sciences - Österreichische Akademie der Wissenschaften (ÖAW), St. Anna Kinderkrebsforschung (Children's Cancer Research Institute - CCRI), Vienna BioCenter, International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), Akademie der bildenden Künste Wien.
Join us in celebrating the researchers shaping the future of science, knowledge, and innovation!
Programme 2026
| Monday, September 21, 2026 | |||
| PoND: Postdoc Networking Day | Vienna BioCenter | ||
| The Good, the Bad, and the Inbetween: Perception and Preservation of Scientific Quality in the Era of Predatory Publishing | MedUni Wien | ||
| Expert Talk: PostDoc Careers: Orientation, Planning & Possible Futures | LBG Career Center | ||
| Is This Really What You Signed Up For? How to Do Meaningful Research AND Thrive in Academia | University of Graz | ||
| Postdoc Coffee Hour | Med Uni Innsbruck | ||
| Celebrating failures and successes in your research career | University of Graz | ||
| Expand your network and opportunities | Euraxess Austria | ||
| Inequality by Default: Care Work and Academia | Med Uni Innsbruck | ||
| Data Visualization Crash Course | Complexity Science Hub | ||
| Tuesday, September 22, 2026 | |||
| Scientific Writing Made Easy | Universität Klagenfurt | ||
| Lateral Leadership for Postdocs | Med Uni Innsbruck | ||
| Aktive Pause | Med Uni Innsbruck | ||
| Postdoc Get-together | mdw | ||
| How to start your own research group – Day 1 | ISTA | ||
| Wednesday, September 23, 2026 | |||
| Expert Talk: Research Management | LBG Career Center | ||
| Beyond Publications and Patents: Impact first! | TU Graz | ||
| Panel: AI in Funding | University of Vienna | ||
| Webinar: Giving and Receiving Peer Feedback with Clarity and Confidence | mdw | ||
| How I became a PI | St. Anna CCRI | ||
| Austrian Researcher Careers Wine & Cheese: The Grant Mixer Edition | University of Vienna | ||
| How to start your own research group – Day 2 | ISTA | ||
| Thursday, September 24, 2026 | |||
| The Next Step: Building a Research Career After the Postdoc | TU Wien | ||
| Expert Talk: Career Paths | Universität Klagenfurt | ||
| Brainfood breaks: lunchtime rapid-fire research talks | ISTA | ||
| Research That Moves the World: Where Science Meets Entrepreneurship | TU Wien | ||
| Postdoc Get-together | Academy of Fine Arts Vienna | ||
| Networking event | JKU Linz | ||
| Friday, September 25, 2026 | |||
| Career Energizer: Introverts and Extroverts at Work: Beyond Stereotypes | TU Wien | ||
| Postdoc Job Search Networking Blitz | ISTA | ||
Registration opens here on July 23, 2026
A strong professional network is one of the most valuable foundations for a successful career. This networking event at the Botanical Garden in Vienna offers a dynamic space to connect with peers across disciplines, exchange ideas, and spark conversations that may open unexpected intellectual and professional pathways. By bringing together researchers from diverse fields, the event is designed to foster meaningful new connections and encourage the kind of interdisciplinary dialogue from which innovative collaborations often emerge. Who knows, your next inspiring partnership or groundbreaking project may begin with a single conversation here.
Join us for a focused panel discussion on the evolving role of Artificial Intelligence in the review and evaluation of research funding applications. Bringing together perspectives from funding bodies, universities, and the AI ecosystem, the panel will explore how AI is being integrated into assessment processes, from supporting peer review and expert selection to enhancing efficiency, consistency, and transparency in funding decisions. Participants will discuss opportunities, limitations, and governance considerations, as well as the implications of AI-assisted evaluation for applicants, reviewers, and research institutions.
