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What is the PDN?
The Postdoctoral Network (PDN) was established by post-docs for post-docs in 2015. It is a support platform for early career postdoctoral staff across the AVÊÓƵ, and provides an opportunity for staff to meet and exchange views and experiences.
The majority of postdoctoral staff are employed on fixed term contracts, and regardless of their current job role and specialisation, usually strive to obtain permanent academic positions. As such, they are in a unique position, gathering a multitude of transferable skills and knowledge over the course of their contracts.
The Postdoc Network provides a setting for the lateral transfer of this knowledge between staff from different schools across the university. Additionally, the running of the network and the organisation of events across the academic year provides an opportunity for the core members of the network to gain invaluable leadership experience which is often essential for career progression. The network therefore acts as a distinct organisation from the university organised research staff forum and researcher development events.
As this group is run for and by postdoctoral staff, the content of events is determined by the ever changing requirements of the group, allowing an emphasis on issues which concern all postdoctoral researchers and providing an informal setting for early-career staff to network, share experiences, exchange ideas and build collaborations across schools.