The event provided a full day of workshops, panels and networking designed to support postdoctoral researchers in exploring career paths both within and beyond academia.

Christine Hudetz from the LBG Career Center played a central role in coordinating the center’s contributions to the event, ensuring a seamless experience for participants. Among the highlights was the panel “Role Models in Leadership: Insights from LExA Nominees”, moderated by Saskia Lackner, featuring Igor Grabovac, Katharine Sarikakis, Alejandro Ramos and Nicole Amberg, who shared valuable perspectives on leadership in academic careers.

The day concluded with a lively networking session opened by Susanne Leeb (Director, LBG Career Center) and Manuela Baccarini (Vice Rector, University of Vienna), emphasizing the impact of collaboration between institutions in supporting postdoctoral career development.

Special recognition goes to Madeleine Harbich for leading the creation of this milestone event, as well as to the partner network, including the LBG Career Center, University of Vienna, Complexity Science Hub, ISTA – Institute of Science and Technology Austria,  Medical University of Vienna, TU Wien and Vienna BioCenter.

Encouraged by the success of the inaugural edition, organizers have already announced a follow-up event for 2027, aiming to further strengthen career development, networking, and professional opportunities for postdocs across Vienna and Austria.