24.10.2024
On 26 September, ZALF hosted its annual PhD Day, which focused on potential careers for PhD students. The day started with a workshop on skills assessment and understanding career preferences. The workshop was followed by a panel discussion with four experts from different sectors: academia, industry, NGOs and start-ups. This was followed by PhD student presentations, including quizzes, research pitches and demonstrations of field methods. At the end of the day, the PhD students enjoyed a social barbecue and potluck.
This year's PhD Day focused on life after the PhD. More than 50 PhD students, postdocs, scientists and external guests were present. The day started with an introduction by Professor Claas Nendel, where participants learned about his winding career path from his PhD to his current position at ZALF. It was then up to Dr. Birte Seffert (German Scholars Organisation) to help us understand the German academic career path and discover career preferences and skills through an in-depth workshop.
The second half of the day included an expert panel and focus groups with speakers from different sectors
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Dr Moritz Reckling, working group leader for resource efficient cropping systems at ZALF, represented academia.
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Dr Marlene Pätzig, a former ZALF researcher and current technical editor at Umwelt-Geräte-Technik, provided insights from industry
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Dr Susanne Winter, Forest Programme Manager at WWF Germany, shared her experience from the NGO sector.
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Dr Tavseef Mairaj Shah, co-founder and COO of CinSOIL, offered a fresh perspective on start-ups.
The PhD Day also included contributions from PhD students, including an art exhibition and interesting research pitches from seven students:
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Carla Baldieviso presented her research on aquatic food systems in Bolivia and Cambodia.
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Hannah V. Czettritz prepared a quiz on economic resilience in diversified cropping systems
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Jan Stautzebach discussed his research on aquifer recharge in the Spree River catchment.
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Jennifer Thompson presented on the biodiversity benefits of different spatial arrangements of intercropping
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Josepha Schiller spoke on the trade-offs associated with diversity
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Mosab Halwani presented the rain shelter technology used at ZALF for drought experiments.
- Finally, Anja Voigt and Henrike Nehls took everyone on a tour to see the mosquito traps used in their research.
The event ended with a BBQ, which provided the perfect setting for networking and relaxing.
Thanks to everyone who made the day such a success and we look forward to next year's PhD Day!
