Webinar "Thriving/Surviving as an International Postdoctoral Researcher: Well-being, Careers, and Support"

The webinar is organized in the frame of ERA Talent project in collaboration with PATTERN project (https://patternproject.eu/).

Introduction: Achileas Tsilgeridis, EURAXESS Greece
 

1. The International Postdoc Journey: Challenges andOpportunities

• Short-term contracts
• Visa/residency uncertainty and administrative issues
• Adapting to academic culture in another country
• Integration into local networks
• Balancing     career development, research output, and personal life
• Opportunities for growth: transferable skills, global networks, interdisciplinary work

2. Mental Health Realities for Early-Career Researchers

• Evidence of elevated stress, anxiety, and depression among PhDs and postdocs (e.g., Levecque et al., 2017)
• Work–Life Balance, Work-Family Conflict
• Perfectionism and imposter syndrome
• International status can amplify isolation and stress

3. Practical Strategies for Postdocs: Well-being &Resilience

• Prioritize sleep, exercise, and hobbies
• Build support networks (local postdoc associations, peer groups)
• Seek mentorship early—inside or outside your lab
• Learn to negotiate workload and expectations
• Explore career options early (academic & non-academic)

4. What Can Institutions Do?

• Provide structured onboarding for foreign postdocs
• Offer independent mentoring or ombudspersons
• Train supervisors in cross-cultural communication and mental-health awareness
• Ensure transparent career development policies

5. Useful Resources

• International Office/Careers Service/Counselling Service etc. for mobility     and career guidance
• Local postdoc associations and mental health services
• Peer support
• ReMO COST Action Evidence Hub for best practices and data