Doctoral Days 2025 – Weaving Networks, Growing Ideas

13 Oct 2025, 08:30 → 14 Oct 2025, 23:45 Europe/Berlin

Campus Telegrafenberg, Building H

Welcome to the annual Doctoral Days at GFZ and RIFS – a space to share research, grow skills, and strengthen our community.

Over two full days, doctoral researchers from across the institute will present their work, engage in hands-on workshops, and connect with colleagues from all career stages. Whether you’re here to showcase your science or support the next generation – your contribution matters.

 

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Who Should Join & Why

For Doctoral Researchers

Doctoral Days are designed for you. Present your research to a broad audience, get valuable feedback, and join workshops that support your personal and professional development.

Participation is mandatory – and based on previous years, also deeply rewarding.

For Other Researchers

Your presence supports a culture of mentorship, visibility, and curiosity. By engaging with the work of doctoral researchers, you help build a more inclusive and collaborative scientific environment. You're warmly invited to attend, explore, and connect.

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What to Expect

• 80+ posters & pitches by doctoral researchers

• Graduate Program 2.0: Chance for feedback and roadmap for future change

• Keynote: How doing a Doctorate changes you

• Workshops tailored to early-career needs

• Informal networking moments

• Creative spaces for exchange and reflection

Monday 13 October

08:30 → 09:15 Soft Start + Networking

Time to gather, setup posters and warm up to each other. We are about to have two fun days full of science and networking.

Convener: Johannes Petereit (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam)

09:15 → 09:30 Let's Begin!: What to expect

During this session we will kick-off the Doctoral Days with two motivating talks, the welcome address by Susanne Buiter our executive director and the pep-talk "How doing a PhD changes you"

Convener: Johannes Petereit (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam)

09:30 → 09:45 Let's Begin!: Welcome Address

During this session we will kick-off the Doctoral Days with two motivating talks, the welcome address by Susanne Buiter our executive director and the pep-talk "How doing a PhD changes you"

Convener: Prof. Susanne Buiter (GFZ)

09:45 → 10:15 Let's Begin!: Impulse: The situation of Doctoral Researchers at GFZ - Results of the 2024 N²-Survey

During this session we will kick-off the Doctoral Days with two motivating talks, the welcome address by Susanne Buiter our executive director and the pep-talk "How doing a PhD changes you"

Convener: Johannes Petereit (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam)

10:15 → 10:45 Group Photo Shoot + Break

10:45 → 12:00 Show yourself!: Pitch Session I

Here you will have to the possibility to present your science in form of a 60 second pitch. Get everyone worked up about your research to prime inspiring exchange during the poster session.

Convener: Johannes Petereit (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam)

12:00 → 12:30 Coffee Break + Market of Possibilities

12:30 → 13:30 Sharing Zone: Poster Session I + Market of Possibilities

We will be gathering in the Foyer for a scientific poster session. Additionally, there will also be a market of possibilities - a collection of GFZ services for early career researchers presenting themselves.

Convener: Johannes Petereit (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam)

13:30 → 14:30 Lunch Break

14:30 → 15:30 Deep Dives: Graduate Program 2.0

During our parallel workshop session you will have the possibility to participate in one of our parallel workshops.

Conveners: Prof. Claudio Faccenna (GFZ), Prof. Dirk Scherler (GFZ), Prof. Taylor Schildgen (GFZ)

14:30 → 15:30 Deep Dives: Not Just Beer & Bureaucracy: Decode your German Workplace - an Intercultural Crash Course

During our parallel workshop session you will have the possibility to participate in one of our parallel workshops.

Conveners: Lydia Bauer, Dr Pia Sojka (GFZ)

14:30 → 15:30 Deep Dives: Open Science

During our parallel workshop session you will have the possibility to participate in one of our parallel workshops.

14:30 → 15:30 Deep Dives: Surviving your Doctorate

During our parallel workshop session you will have the possibility to participate in one of our parallel workshops.

Convener: Dr Claudia Rey Crowie

15:30 → 16:00 Deep Dives: Wrap-up

During our parallel workshop session you will have the possibility to participate in one of our parallel workshops.

Convener: Johannes Petereit (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam)

16:00 → 18:00 Play & Connect: GEOlympics

Time to end the day with a playful activity organized by our doctoral research representatives.

Convener: Philipp Bautz

Tuesday 14 October

08:30 → 09:30 Soft Start + Networking: Networking Breakfast (Potluck Breakfast)

Time to gather, setup posters and warm up to each other. We are about to have two fun days full of science and networking.

Convener: Johannes Petereit (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam)

09:30 → 10:00 Let's Begin!: Pep-Talk: How doing a PhD changes you

During this session we will kick-off the Doctoral Days with two motivating talks, the welcome address by Susanne Buiter our executive director and the pep-talk "How doing a PhD changes you"

Convener: Prof. Liane G. Benning (GFZ)

10:00 → 10:30 Let's Begin!: The road ahead: Graduate Program 2.0

During this session we will kick-off the Doctoral Days with two motivating talks, the welcome address by Susanne Buiter our executive director and the pep-talk "How doing a PhD changes you"

Conveners: Prof. Claudio Faccenna (GFZ), Prof. Dirk Scherler (GFZ), Johannes Petereit (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam), Prof. Taylor Schildgen (GFZ)

10:30 → 10:45 Coffee Break

10:45 → 12:00 Show yourself!: Pitch Session II

Here you will have to the possibility to present your science in form of a 60 second pitch. Get everyone worked up about your research to prime inspiring exchange during the poster session.

12:00 → 12:30 Coffee Break + Market of Possibilities

12:30 → 13:30 Sharing Zone: Poster Session II + Market of Possibilities

We will be gathering in the Foyer for a scientific poster session. Additionally, there will also be a market of possibilities - a collection of GFZ services for early career researchers presenting themselves.

Convener: Johannes Petereit (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam)

13:30 → 14:30 Lunch Break

14:30 → 16:00 Deep Dives: Harvesting Session

During our parallel workshop session you will have the possibility to participate in one of our parallel workshops.

Convener: Johannes Petereit (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam)

16:00 → 16:30 Let's close the loop: Highlights, Acknowledgments and Wrap-up

Time to wrap things up

Convener: Johannes Petereit (Geoforschungszentrum Potsdam)

16:30 → 18:30 Play & Connect: Ice Cream Event

Time to end the day with a playful activity organized by our doctoral research representatives.

Convener: Philipp Bautz