From Bench to Leadership
A workshop for young PIs in biology
Regensburg · 13-16 April 2026
Introduction
Starting your own research group is an exciting time in the life of a scientist. But this is also a time of big challenges. New PIs transition from a familiar lab environment to a completely different managing role behind a desk. Often, they end up with little guidance on how to do these unfamiliar things:
- How do you build a team and mentor students, who may approach science very differently from you?
- How do you manage projects when the work is no longer done solely by your own hands?
- How do you organize your time across teaching, administration, and countless other tasks?
- How do you set up a lab when protocols that once seemed simple become unexpectedly complex?
- How do you create a support network when there are few peers in the same situation?
At the Young Investigator group of the GBM we decided to organize an event that will help new PIs to deal with these challenges. We want bring together young investigators across biological life sciences and offer a professional leadership workshop for a very competitive price. Plenty of time to build a peer network, exchange experiences, and even discuss the challenges of lab setup with our industry partners will round off this unique event.
Program
| 18:00 | Arrival · Registration · Drinks |
| 07:00 | Breakfast |
| 09:00 | Leadership workshop |
| 10:30 | Coffee break |
| 10:45 | Leadership workshop |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 | Leadership workshop |
| 15:00 | Coffee break |
| 15:15 | Leadership workshop |
| 17:00 | Break |
| 17:15 | Invited talk to be announced |
| 17:30 | Networking and teambuilding |
| 19:30 | Dinner (included in the registration fee) |
| 07:00 | Breakfast |
| 09:00 | Leadership workshop |
| 10:30 | Coffee break |
| 10:45 | Leadership workshop |
| 12:30 | Lunch |
| 13:30 | Leadership workshop |
| 15:00 | Coffee break |
| 15:15 | Leadership workshop |
| 17:00 | Break |
| 17:15 | Round table discussion to be announced |
| 19:30 | Dinner (self-organized) |
| 08:00 | Breakfast |
About the Training
The main part of the program is the professional coaching by Angloher Consulting. The workshop is tailored for those skills that are most relevant for running a lab and the utility is enhanced by an opportunity to exchange experiences with the other new PIs.
It will not only be two days! The workshop starts with an online tutorial and preparation, followed by the meeting in Regensburg, and then a follow-up peer meeting. The online tutorial will help to adjust the contents for the needs of participants. The workshop will run in two groups, 12 people each.
Application
Eligibility
The preference will be given to non-tenured PIs in biological life sciences to create a cohesive peer-support group. GBM membership is not required. Although the PI status is preferred, we will also accept senior PostDocs who are planning to establish their group.
Dates
Application deadline: 30th November 2025
Confirmation of acceptance: 15th December 2025
Payment window: 15th Jan – 5th February.
In case of cancellation after this date, you have to pay full price.
Fee: 490 €
What is included in the 490 €: workshop, coffee breaks, light lunches and one evening get-together with dinner.
Accommodation is not included but we secured an agreement with a hotel, see details in the tab “Information”.
Sponsored positions
During registration you can apply for fully sponsored participation (hotel not included). The sponsored participants will be notified by 14th Jan 2025.
Information
Accommodation
Not included in the registration fee.
We secured an offer from Hotel Weidenhof (201 Euro per person, three nights with breakfasts). We will need to let the hotel know in advance how many rooms will be occupied. If you wish to stay elsewhere or stay less than three nights, please mark this in the registration form. The hotel is in the city center, walking distance from the main train station (Maximilianstraße 23, 93047 Regensburg).
Venue
University of Regensburg
Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine
(Seminar rooms DE._1.127 and DE._1.129)
Universitätsstraße 31, 93053 Regensburg
Google Maps / University App
WiFi
There is access to Eduroam and Guest Wifi (self-registration with email).
Food & Beverages
Coffee and light snacks will be provided; light lunch included during sponsor exhibition. Please note your food preferences in the registration form.
Dinners
We encourage to continue exchange of experiences and discussions in the free time. One discussion session is to be held over dinner that is included in the registration fee
Organization & Contact
Andrea Hupfeld
Group leader
University Regensburg Regensburg
Center for Biochemistry
Valentina Piano
Group leader
Institute of Human Genetics
CMMC University Hospital Cologne
Yury Bykov
Group leader
RPTU Kaiserslautern
Quantitative cell biology
GBM Head Office
Gesellschaft für Biochemie und Molekularbiologie e.V.
Mörfelder Landstr. 125
60598 Frankfurt am Main
Contact:
workshop@yi.gbm-online.de
Acknowledgment
We are grateful for the support and welcome company representatives at the event!
