Eindhoven University of Technology: TU/e Postdoc Association has the postdoc community at heart

Postdoctoral researchers play key roles in research projects such as doing research, publishing scientific papers, helping to guide PhD candidates, managing sub-projects, and writing grant applications. However, such a position is typically temporary in nature and seen as a mere steppingstone to the next position in an academic track.

The TU/e Postdoctoral Association (PDA), which was established in 2020, has the interests of the TU/e postdoc community very much at heart. They seek to give postdocs the opportunity to establish a strong and personal network, in addition to offering training and workshops. Most importantly, they also provide support when it comes to the next career step, whether it’s in the academic world or elsewhere.

In the latest episode of the English-language podcast Science is here, host Barry Fitzgerald spoke to three members of the TU/e PDA board. First up is Maria Pastrama. She is a postdoctoral researcher in the department of Biomedical Engineering and vice-chair of the board. Second guest is board secretary Francesca Toso, who is a postdoctoral researcher in the department of Industrial Design. And the final guest is Willem van Hoorn, co-founder and TU/e advisor for the TU/e PDA.