Career talk · Novartis
Adelina Ivanova
Moving from a PhD into pharma.
University of Bern · DCBP
The PhD & Postdoc community of the DCBP
We represent, connect and develop the early-career researchers of the Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences. Run by researchers, for researchers.
12+events in 2025 – 2026
3focus areas
8+board meetings in 2025 – 2026
OfficialUniBE scientific society
Who we are
Vision & mission
Vision
An exceptional environment for early-career researchers
A department where every PhD and postdoc is supported, connected and ready for the career they choose.
Mission
Represent, connect and develop the research community
Representation in department bodies, career workshops, and events open to everyone at the DCBP.
01
Community building
A tight-knit community across labs, cohorts and disciplines.
02
Industry & entrepreneurship
Routes into pharma, biotech and start-ups beyond academia.
03
Early-career development
Professional growth from day one of the PhD.
Events 2025 – 2026
The year in review
Career talks, workshops and community nights from the 2025 – 2026 academic year, open to everyone in the department.
Workshop · Wiley
Richard Smith
How editors read a manuscript.
Company visit
Inseit start-up
Product, funding and hiring paths for PhDs.
Career seminar
Anna Benitez
From postdoc to professor.
BCG – DCBP seminar
Dr. Patrycja Kucharczyk
Community-voted speaker, Treeless co-founder.
Workshop
3D printing
CAD and printing custom lab parts.
Community
Halloween party
Our largest community night of the year.
Community
Karaoke & social night
An informal mixer across labs and cohorts.
End of semester
Summer BBQ
The whole department, outdoors.
Recurring · Innovation Office
Fika
A coffee break that gets groups talking.
Community
Painting session
An evening away from the bench.
Focus time
Writing session
A quiet afternoon for thesis writing.
Coming next
Events 2026 – 2027
TBDProgramme 2026 – 2027Dates to be announced here and on Instagram. Two events are already proposed:
Proposed
AI Workshop
Understand what is actually driving the AI hype.
- From chatbots to agents that work with your research data
- Reusable scientific workflows and a personal knowledge base
- Live demos you can follow along with
Proposed
Lab-Exchange
Ever wondered what the group in the lab next door is working on?
- Meet colleagues across groups and discover new techniques
- Find collaborations in a casual setting, after work hours
- No preparation, just show what you already do
Board 2025 – 2026
The people behind it
The board for the 2025 – 2026 academic year, elected by the General Assembly.
AÁ
Alan ÁvilaCo-President
VV
Vasiliki ValsamidouCo-President
ES
Evelyn SgroiSecretary
TK
Tim KunzmannTreasurer
BH
Basil HungerCommunications
HL
Harry LecomteDepartment representative
Honorary member: Glenn Bojanov
TBDBoard 2026 – 2027To be elected at the General Assembly on 9 October 2026.
Get involved
Why serve on the board
One meeting a month during the semester, plus the portfolio you choose to own.
Run real events
Decide which member ideas happen and make them happen.
A network that outlasts the PhD
You invite the speakers from industry, start-ups and academia.
A voice
Represent PhDs and postdocs at department and Faculty meetings.
Transferable skills
Grant writing, public speaking, leadership: what interviewers ask about.
Co-Presidents
2 positions
Lead the Coalition, chair the General Assembly and monthly meetings, and support the rest of the board.
Secretary
1 position
Book rooms, keep minutes, and look after the mailing list, calendar and shared files.
Treasurer
1 position
Keep the accounts, plan event budgets and support funding applications.
Communications
1 position
Promote events, run Instagram and LinkedIn, keep the website current, and put up flyers.
Representative
1 position · DCBP
Attend department meetings, raise member issues and report back to the Coalition.
How elections work
Every General Assembly
One vote per member, anonymous ballot, simple majority. One-year terms, renewable up to three.
Contact
Have an idea? Write to us.
Event proposals, speaker suggestions, questions or feedback: the board reads every message.
Propose an event →Pitch a talk, workshop or social night.
Join the mailing list →Get event announcements first.
Speaker or partnership →For companies, speakers and other groups.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
Find us
Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences (DCBP)
Freiestrasse 3, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
Formerly the PhD Coalition
Founded in 2022 as the PhD Coalition, we became the DCBP Coalition in 2026 and now welcome postdocs too.
Website made with ♥ by Ginza