Getting started in a research career is challenging for many young scientists. There are many new skills to learn, managing their own research projects and planning their laboratory budgets, teaching responsibilities and at the same time developing network skills, building up the collaborations and seeking for new research opportunities as well as finding employment. PYRN is a network bringing together young and enthusiastic permafrost scientist from all around the world and is an ideal platform to exchange ideas and knowledge. PYRN was created in 2005 as the result of the 2nd International Conference on Arctic Research Planning (ICARP II) and boosted its activities and visibility since the 4th International Polar Year (IPY 2007-2008). We work in close collaboration with APECS and our overarching organization, the International Permafrost Association (IPA), together raising awareness of the necessity for permafrost early career scientists to be included in future polar activities. PYRN seeks building interdisciplinary knowledge on how the Arctic and Antarctic permafrost regions play a key role in the Earth System and to give each participant an embracing view on the regions beyond disciplinary research questions. Now comprising over 1100 members from more than 20 countries, PYRN represents an international organization for undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral researchers and early faculty members, and others with interest in the studying of permafrost. PYRN is guided by an Executive Committee but run through its members that organize themselves in an international Council, national communities, thematic groups and several groups of interest. During last years among PYRN main contributions were organizing the workshops during the regional and international permafrost conferences to maintain an active, dynamic and growing early career scientific network on permafrost. It was increasing its presence on large conferences like the European and American Geophysical Union (EGU, AGU) as a part of sessions and social network events. The value of knowledge accumulated by young researchers should not be underestimated. One of the goals of PYRN is to increase the communication between young and senior researchers, and to engage early career scientists in cross-disciplinary knowledge exchanges, policy and strategy discussions. As part of this strategy, PYRN led the Permafrost Young Researchers Workshop 2014 together with APECS, PAGE21 and ADAPT in conjunction with the 4th European Conference on Permafrost 2014 in Évora, Portugal. This workshop included approximately 100 early career permafrost scientists and engineers and aimed to give each participant an overarching view of permafrost related topics beyond disciplinary research questions. To achieve this, the participants shared their knowledge in thematic breakout sessions and elaborated on the future avenues of permafrost research. They were also inspired and guided by mentors who play a key role in permafrost research either in large scale international projects or science policy. Besides various activities along the way PYRN already gets prepared for its next major task: The PYRN workshop at the 11th International Conference on Permafrost 2016 in Potsdam, Germany.