Helmholtz Association Postdoc Network (HAPN)

The Helmholtz Association PostDoc Network (HAPN) is an organization of postdoctoral researchers (PostDocs) representing their peers within Helmholtz Association and beyond, for example towards German politics. Its Steering Committee consists of two volunteers per Helmholtz Center who contribute to HAPN in addition to their regular workload. HAPN cooperates closely with the Career Centers and Postdoc offices and the Helmholtz Head Office.

Postdoctoral researchers are an indispensable pillar within Germany's research landscape. They contribute significantly to the German scientific accomplishments, and serve as pivotal catalysts for innovation in research. However, they also face challenges due to their insecure contractual situations, unclear career perspectives, and the lack of postdoc representation and community. The main goal of HAPN is to strengthen Helmholtz postdocs personally and professionally, by providing a platform for them to engage in meaningful discussions, share experiences, and collectively shape their future within the Helmholtz community.

1 | Promote collaboration and networking

We want to cultivate a vibrant and interconnected community of postdocs within Helmholtz. HAPN is open to all Helmholtz postdocs to foster community and interaction via our digital communication channels, our socials, and in-person events. By joining HAPN, you can get in contact with your peers from institutes from all over the country and in a wide array of different science fields.

2 | Enhance postdoc experience and support

Our goal is to improve the overall experience of Helmholtz PostDocs. HAPN advocates for transparent salary structures, attractive working environments, long-term perspectives and aims to determine future issues that are key to postdoc success. We keep a watch on the status of the PostDoc communities in the different Helmholtz centers and we advocate for their needs when critical issues are raised.

3 | Advocate for administrative and operational optimization

HAPN advocates for administrative processes and practices that support and protect postdocs. We established direct communication channels with the Helmholtz Head Office and advocate for the implementation of standardized time recording practices and clear regulations for flexible working.  

The Helmholtz Association lacked a structured PostDoc representation during the WissZeitVG consultations in 2023 so that the idea of a PostDoc network was proposed. At the beginning of 2024, the proposal was approved and plannings began.

In November 2024, the kick-off meeting took place in Berlin. In its first year, HAPN successfully grew from 30 to 60 members. We established connections to Max-Planck PostdocNet and the Leibniz PostDoc Network and together will be involved in the amendments to the WissZeitVG in 2026.

To evaluate the PostDoc situation at the Helmholtz centers properly, we will launch the first Helmholtz-wide survey early in 2026 to all PostDocs.
 

HAPN members

Spokespeople:

The spokespeople are elected for one year. They represent HAPN and the Helmholtz PostDocs towards the Head Office as well as to external parties. Spokespeople for the term 2025-2026 are:

Rima Siauciunaite (KIT), rima.siauciunaite2@kit.edu
Somesh Sai (MDC), somesh.sai@mdc-berlin.de
Georg Winkens (FZJ), g.winkens@fz-juelich.de
You can reach them also via contact@helmholtz-hapn.de

The Steering Committee consists of up to two representatives per Helmholtz Center:

AWI: Livia Oliveira
CISPA: Ruta Binkyte, Lénaïg Cornanguer
DESY: Max Kellermeier, Lisa Ferro
DKFZ: Tanwei Yuan, Moritz Schüssler
DZNE: Jonas Schulte-Schrepping, Neda Mohammadi
FZJ: Georg Winkens, Krisztina Konya
GEOMAR: Agustin Moreira-Saporiti, Sandy Avrutin
GFZ: Paul Einhäupl, Milad Asgarimehr
GSI: Penny Madysa
HEREON: Vojtech Kulvait, Martin Ramacher
Helmholtz Munich: Anne-Sophie Pepin, Chayan Banerjee
HZB: Jan-Philipp Hoffknecht, Fallahi Nasim
HZDR: Marcos Felipe Martinez Moreno
HZI: Carsten Seyfert, Birthe Sandargo
KIT: Jiangtao Yang, Rima Siauciunaite
MDC: Somesh Sai, Filippos Charitidis
UFZ: Andreia Ribiero, Yamini Yogya

If only one representative is mentioned, we are looking for a second one for that center! Reach out if you are interested.