Jefferson Postdoctoral Research Symposium
On June 15, the DFG participated for the first time in Thomas Jefferson University's Postdoctoral Research Symposium. This was the fifth symposium organized by the Jefferson Postdoctoral Association in collaboration with the Jefferson College of Graduate Studies, Office of Postdoctoral Affairs and included a career fair. The Jefferson College of Graduate Studies offers 8 doctoral and 5 masters programs in the life sciences. These programs are mainly intended for students who do not want to become a doctor but who want to work in science, research and development. One of these programs in collaboration with the Jefferson Medical School, offers the dual opportunity to simultaneously pursue a MD and PhD.
The symposium was comprised of many life sciences presentations, during which the postdocs were able to present their research results to a mixed audience of students and established researchers. A plenary session about "Clinical Research/Trials at Jefferson" and a poster presentation were also part of the program.
The DFG, Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (AvH) and German Center for Research and Innovation (GCRI) in New York were jointly represented at a career fair stand under the Research in Germany label. Approximately 20 exhibitors were present, Fraunhofer USA Center for Molecular Biotechnology was the only other international exhibitor present.
About 20 postdocs and 10 established researchers were interested in gathering information at the Research in Germany table. The main programs of interest were those for young researchers like the DFG's Temporary Positions for Principal Investigators and AvH's Humboldt Research Fellowship. DAAD's RISE program and DFG's Mercator program were also of interest to a few of the researchers. Other than Germans interested in returning to Germany and Americans wanting to inform themselves about research stays abroad, many foreign researchers inquired about advancing their career in Germany as well. Even a direct connection with the university was made, as the director of the university's international office gathered information about the research landscape in Germany and the GCRI.
