How to write a good post on LinkedIn

Using LinkedIn consistently increases the likelihood that you will discover new companies that you might not have otherwise known. You can connect with these businesses by following them as well as connecting with people who work there. Learn more about what they do and their culture through their profiles and content.

LinkedIn remains one of the most essential platforms to establish a professional online presence and showcase your skills and accomplishments. With over 930 million users (and counting), LinkedIn remains the go-to platform for recruiters, hiring managers, and professionals looking for potential candidates.

“Your LinkedIn profile is your digital brand,” says Lianne Zhang, a director of talent at Milestone Technologies. “I can't tell you the number of times where we had two equally qualified candidates and the one with the stronger LinkedIn profile got the job.”

Postdoc Life Hack: How to create a LinkedIn profile?

Create your professional online presence and become visible for future employers. In this short workshop you will learn how to set-up a free LinkedIn profile. Bring your CV and a profile picture. No previous experience is necessary.

Trainer: Lia Lang
Date: Apr 30, 2025 I Time: 12:00-12:30

Please register here!

Postdoc Life Hack: How to create your first LinkedIn post?

You are interested in using LinkedIn more productively to promote yourself or your research, but are unsure how to go about it, this workshop is for you. You will learn how to write an effective first LinkedIn post, including how to write a strong hook and structure your content for maximum engagement. No previous experience is necessary.

Trainer: Lia Lang
Date: June 06, 2025 I Time: 12:00-12:30

Please register here!

How to fight discrimination and deal with diversity in your team

Diversity is a lived reality in many work groups in academia, but nevertheless these teams often have no clear understanding of the benefits or additional challenges of a diverse work environment. The biggest issues are undoubtedly undetected micro-aggressions and discrimination. This workshop will give a very brief introduction into how every individual can contribute to a group culture that is defined by mutual respect and open, empathic communication rather than reoccurring injustices. We will focus on the prevention of discrimination and instant reactions to difficult situations in your work environment.

Due to the introductory character of this course, we will not be able to address fundamental system changes (which are of course necessary) or official complaints procedures as a response to severe discrimination in greater depth. However, the trainer can provide information on these issues to the participants if they are interested to dive deeper.

About the trainer: Eileen Schwanold is a Social and Organizational Psychologist (MSc) specialized in Diversity & Social Equality. Currently she is developing and implementing Diversity strategies for the Cluster of Excellence “CUI: Advanced Imaging of Matter” at the University of Hamburg and Programme Coordinator of the Mentoring Programme dynaMENT. Furthermore, she offers talks and workshops on Diversity Matters. Outside of her main occupations she has experience in young talent promotion and social justice in the educational sector through her year-long volunteer work with the German Academic Scholarship Foundation (Studienstiftung des deutschen Volkes) where she was a scholarship holder herself during her studies in Germany and the UK.

Trainer: Eileen Schwanold

This workshop has been postponed. A new date will be announced soon.

Please register here!

Mastering Your Career as a Postdoc (1/3): Essential Communicative Skills

What you will learn:

• Leadership in academia vs. non-academic environments

• Active Listening – working on your skill set

• Asking good questions – understanding the power of questions

• Your issues (peer consulting and exchange)

Academic surroundings offer particular challenges for leadership roles which might be different to other environments. You cannot rely on hierarchy alone to make things work. A good effect can often only be achieved through skillful communication. We will work with a mixture of experience sharing, exercises and theoretical input to support you in your various challenging settings.

The workshop includes lunch and one optional confidential coaching session within the three modules for individual challenges with one of the two trainers.

Trainers:         Andrea Pargätzi and Verena Riedinger
                        senior business coaches in academia and beyond
Target Group: all postdocs
                        (Priority is given to postdocs with a DESY contract)
Date:                April 15, 2025
Time  :             11:00 - 16:00 Uhr

Location:        HH-Campus, HARBOR Building, Groundfloor
Maximum:      12 participants

Sign up here!

All modules can be booked independently of each other.

Meet-a-Role-Model: Heike Neumann

What skills are essential for a career in cryptography? How do you transition from academia to industry? What challenges come with moving between sectors?

All these questions will be addressed by our guest, Dr. Heike Neumann.

With a PhD in mathematics, Heike spent four years as a postdoc at the University of Giessen, specializing in cryptography and electronic cash. In 2004, she transitioned into industry, joining Philips/NXP Semiconductors as a cryptographer, where she worked on smartcards for identification, banking, and trusted computing. Since 2013, she has been a professor of mathematics at the Hamburg University of Applied Sciences.

This interactive session will explore Heike’s career path, insights, and key takeaways from her experience in both academia and industry. Bring your questions, expand your network, and gain new perspectives!

Role Models:   Dr. Heike Neumann
Target Group: all postdocs
                         (Priority is given to postdocs with a DESY contract)
Date:               16. April 2025
Time:              12:00-13:00

Please sign up here!

DESYrable Postdoc Networking Event | COAST’s 5th Anniversary Edition

We’re excited to invite you to the upcoming DESYrable Postdoc Networking Event, celebrating five years of COAST on the Hamburg Campus!

As in our previous edition, this special get-together will highlight the power of networking and collaboration — with interactive elements, lively discussions, and space to exchange ideas and experiences with fellow postdocs.

We are happy to welcome back Liz Moulin as our workshop host, who will once again guide us through insightful activities designed to boost your professional connections and inspire your next career steps.

Whether you're new to COAST or already part of the network — join us for an engaging and enriching afternoon as we celebrate this milestone together!

📅 April 24, 2024 | 🕐 1:00–3:00 PM | 📍 Hamburg Campus, Building 5, Foyer

Please register here!