Designing Your Postdoc – From Research Vision to Competitive Proposal

Format: Two sessions (5 hours in total) + 10 hours of guided writing excises

This three-part seminar supports PhD students in shaping a compelling and feasible postdoctoral research project focusing on the core elements of a competitive application. Across two interactive sessions plus writing assignments, students will gain insight into the postdoc landscape, explore major funding schemes, learn strategies for proposal writing, and hear directly from researchers who have successfully navigated the postdoc stage.

Day 1: Positioning Yourself and Your Project (2 hours) - 20 November 2025, 11:00-13:00, Aula Seminari (Piazza S. Giovanni in Monte 2, Bologna)

This session introduces participants to the strategic dimensions of postdoctoral planning. Students will explore how to shape a research direction beyond the PhD, assess key funding schemes, and conceptualizing their postdoc proposal.

Topics Covered: 1) A guided overview of different types of postdoctoral positions: Fellowship-based (e.g., Marie Skłodowska-Curie, British Academy, Humboldt); Project-based (PI-funded roles); Institutional postdocs. 2) Overview of Key Funding Schemes including: Marie Skłodowska-Curie Postdoctoral Fellowships, British Academy Postdoctoral Fellowships, Humboldt Research Fellowships (Germany) and other national funders. Includes basic eligibility, timelines, evaluation criteria, and strategic tips. 3) Building a Competitive Application: tailor your proposal to the funding body and host institution, write a persuasive abstract and rationale, avoid common pitfalls in proposals and cover letters, strategically present your academic CV.

Day 2: Learning from Experience (3 hours) - 21 November 2025, 9:00-12:00, Aula Specola (Piazza S. Giovanni in Monte 2, Bologna)

This session focuses on learning from real-world experience and preparing students to refine their project ideas and application materials.

Expert Panel: Voices from successful researchers. Short presentations followed by Q&A with 4 guest speakers. Topics they’ll cover: 1) How they framed and scoped their postdoc project; 2) Navigating the application and selection process; 3) Choosing the right host and building relationships; 4) Lessons learned and what they’d do differently.

Final Assignment (10 hours):

Students will develop a core postdoc application portfolio, including an updated academic CV and a tailored cover letter. They will also draft a key technical component of a research proposal, such as a timeline (cronogram), methodology section, or work package breakdown. This work will be guided and the materials should be delivered by March 2026.

The initiative is organised as part of the project "Territori della Memoria" (Iniziativa Dip. Eccellenti MUR 23–27 – Legge 232 01/12/16).