The PhD-Postdoc Buddy Initiative is a peer-mentoring initiative, where any interested PhD student gets paired with a Postdoc "Buddy”; the two have frequent support and guidance meetings, where they can talk about any and all struggles possibly faced during a PhD. The counsel may range from guidance about workload balance, schedule, deadlines, to advice on how to manage anxiety or how/where to find professional help.

The meetings of the PhD-Postdoc Buddy Initiative are not meant as an addition to research supervision, nor can they substitute direct medical support. Rather, they offer a first-hand, friendly experience and advice, as an attempt to reduce stress at the workplace.

Please note that this initiative is distinct, but complementary to the PI-led Mentoring Initiative (organized by the Human Capital Organization Directorate), which provides advice and guidance from the perspective of the mid-career academics. To express your interest in joining the PhD-Postdoc Buddy initiative as a Postdoc Buddy, please fill in this form. We will match you with an available and compatible PhD Buddy as soon as possible.