Career Perspectives Panel Discussion
Insights into a wide range of career paths after obtaining a doctorate
On April 24, 2026, the Max Planck Institute for Biology of Ageing hosted its 6th Career Perspectives Panel Discussion, bringing together doctoral researchers, postdocs, and an inspiring group of panelists from academia, industry, publishing, and science management. The goal? To inform and inspire our junior researchers as they explore possible next steps in their careers.
“What helped you get your current job? Which skills from your PhD or postdoc are still most useful today? What does a typical workday look like? And how do you combine career and private life?” These were just some of the questions posed to our invited guests by PhD students Remo Bode and Tamara Wied, who guided the discussion.
The panel included Hannah Walters, Amirabbas Rueber, Stephan Wagner, Aleksandra Trifunovic, Laura Brohée, Annegret Burkert, Charalampos Mantziaris, Kazi Atikur Rahman, and Nathalie Jauré. They provided a variety of views on what careers can look like after completing a PhD. They discussed important choices, obstacles, and turning points, demonstrating that career paths do not usually follow a straight line. While some steps can be carefully planned, many opportunities arise quite unexpectedly.
Several insights really connected with the audience. Laura Brohée described her PhD as a time when she “learned how to learn,” a mindset she still uses today when facing challenges and learning from mistakes. Other panelists showed that rewarding careers can also develop without leaving your comfort zone. Annegret Burkert shared how she found her passion for science communication during her first job as a parental leave replacement in a press office, when she suddenly felt at home and realised this was the right path for her. The topic of balancing career and family also came up: the panel agreed there’s no “perfect” time to start a family; whether in the PhD, postdoc, or afterwards, it’s always a personal decision. Aleksandra Trifunovic mentioned how impressively organised and efficient researcher-parents often are, and another panelist added: “I never make life choices based on my job, it’s always the other way round.”
The discussion was followed by an informal networking session, giving participants the opportunity to continue conversations with the panelists and peers. Our event once again highlighted the importance of creating spaces for open dialogue across disciplines and career stages, and we thank all panelists and participants for contributing to it! We look forward to the next edition of the Career Perspectives Panel Discussion.
