F*ck Up Night – When Failure Makes You a Better Scientist

What happens when experiments fail, papers are rejected, grants don't get funded, or a career takes an unexpected turn?

On Thursday, September 24, 2026, researchers from different career stages and scientific backgrounds will come together at the International Club of the University of Bonn to share the stories that rarely make it into publications or conference talks.

Now in its fourth edition, F*ck Up Night – When Failure Makes You a Better Scientist has become a highlight of Postdoc Appreciation Week. In a relaxed and supportive atmosphere, speakers openly reflect on setbacks, challenges, and unexpected twists in their scientific journeys, and on what they learned from them. This year's speakers include Prof. Michael Roßbach, scientist, entrepreneur and investor; Prof. Daphne Soares (NJIT, currently on sabbatical at the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior); and Paula Schrage, PhD researcher at the University of Bonn. Additional speakers will be announced soon.

Whether you're a PhD student, postdoc, PI, or simply curious about the realities behind scientific success, this event offers an honest and inspiring perspective on research, resilience, and the value of learning from failure.

The event is organized by the Max Planck Institute for Neurobiology of Behavior – caesar as part of Postdoc Appreciation Week, in collaboration with NeurotechEU.

You can register here to join the event.