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Within the framework of the postdoc program, it is possible to research as a postdoc at several YUFE partner institutions. The first postdocs started their research activities at various locations this fall.

Young researchers from the YUFE partner universities of Bremen, Antwerp, Eastern Finland, Cyprus, Rijeka, and Carlos III Madrid presented their projects in the YUFE focus area of “European Identity and Responsibilities in a Global World” to interested expert groups at the opening meeting in Bremen. These were mostly presented via Zoom call from the YUFE partner institutions. The academic program was rounded off with lectures by Professor Gralf-Peter Calliess of the University of Bremen and Dr. Paola Di Giuseppantonio Di Franco of the University of Essex.

Focus on professional exchange and personal encounters

“We are very pleased to welcome the first cohort of YUFE postdocs to a launch meeting at the University of Bremen,” said Professor Eva-Maria Feichtner, Vice President International and Diversity at the University of Bremen. “Together with the postdocs, we are laying the foundations for successful research careers and for a research network on the topic of ‘European Identity’ within the YUFE Alliance.”

The two-day event in Bremen gave the first postdocs and involved mentors the chance to meet in person and get to know the YUFE Alliance – not just through facts and figures but also through specific practical examples. For example, this included a training offer on “Diversity & Inclusivity” in the YUFE context.

“The event was very well organized,” said Dr. Nicholas Mouttotos, who started out as a postdoc at the University of Bremen. “It gave us all ample time for reflection on our research projects with colleagues from different disciplines, but also to grapple with the topic of European identity in their respective fields. The highlight of the event for me was the interesting conversations that we had on European identity and on promoting YUFE’s goals in order to realize the goal of creating a European University.”

In terms of organization and content, the event in Bremen was attended by colleagues from four YUFE institutions. In addition to the organizational team from the University of Bremen, Dr. Nadine Rossol from the University of Essex and Dr. Marko Pietilä from the University of Eastern Finland were present. Nele Goiris from the University of Antwerp supported the program via Zoom.

Applications for the YUFE Postdoc Program

Postdoctoral positions are open to researchers with a doctorate. The program aims to provide researchers who are at an early stage of their career with excellent research conditions, targeted mentoring, tailor-made career development offers, as well as the opportunity to help shape one of the first European universities. The program thus promotes the networking of the YUFE Alliance universities and the creation of interdisciplinary networks of experts on the YUFE focus topics.

The current call for applications in the second round of the YUFE Postdoc Program on the focus topic of “Citizens‘ Wellbeing” can be found at: Offene Stellen - Universität Bremen (uni-bremen.de). The deadline for applications ended on December 10, 2021.

About YUFE:

YUFE is based on the joint vision of ten young research-intensive universities and four non-academic partners to create one of the first European universities. YUFE is supported by the EU, DAAD, and the State of Bremen.