Why you should come to Jena?

Jena offers an excellent scientific environment and is a lively, young city

Springbrunnen in Jena

Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

Conscious of tradition and oriented towards the future

Inner courtyard of the university main building
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

Friedrich Schiller University Jena was founded in the year 1558. It is the only Thuringian university with a comprehensive variety of subjects, ranging from natural and life sciences (including medicine) to mathematics and computer sciences, all the way to the social sciences, behavioural sciences, and humanities. Famous lecturers and researchers such as Friedrich Schiller, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Johann Gottlieb Fichte, Georg Wilhelm Hegel, Ernst Hegel, Ernst Abbe, and Carl Zeiss all worked here. Memorial plaques in the city remind visitors of their homes and workplaces.

Today, the university is regarded as a European research university with a strong culture of inter- and transdisciplinary research, located in a dynamically developing, intensively innovative, and economically successful high tech region. The university cooperates e.g. with non-university research institutions, the Ernst Abbe University of Applied Sciences JenaExternal link, regional businesses and industries, and various cultural institutions on a wide range of current research topics.

The research strategy of the university is made up of a balance between strong, interdisciplinary research alliances and excellent individual research. Research foci are organised into three profile lines, 'Light - Life - LibertyExternal link', and reflect the university's connection between tradition and future.

Additional information is available here.

The promotion of doctoral and postdoctoral research in Jena

Friedrich Schiller University Jena regards the advancement of young researchers as a central priority area. To this end, it has established a "Vice-President for Young Researchers" and has included the Graduate Academy in the university's constitution. The Graduate Academy is Friedrich Schiller University‘s central institution for the organisation and development of the doctoral and postdoctoral career phase. It provides doctoral candidates, postdocs and their supervisors with support, counselling and comprehensive service and training offers.

At Friedrich Schiller University Jena, there are quite a number of graduate schools, research training groups and doctoral programmes, where young researchers can complete their doctorate in a structured manner. In these institutions, doctoral candidates work on their research projects with a specific thematic focus. They are supervised in teams, and receive additional discipline-specific qualification offers. An overview of all graduate schools, research training groups and doctoral programmes can be found here.

More than 3500 young researchers are working on doctorates in Jena. In addition, approximately 750 postdocs are doing research at Jena University.

Living in Jena

In Jena nothing is very far away and the quality of life is relatively high. It is possible to live in a quiet, green area and to get to the city centre in a few minutes. The Saale river valley and the nearby Thuringian Forest are perfect for hiking, cycling and winter sports. Jena's central location in Germany also makes it ideal for outings to Weimar, Leipzig, Dresden, Berlin or Munich.

Jena offers a wide range of leisure pursuits and a lively cultural scene, e.g. the Botanical Gardens de, the Jenaer PhilharmonieExternal link (Jena Philharmonic Orchestra); the ImaginataExternal link (a hands-on science and technology centre) or the Zeiss PlanetariumExternal link. Outstanding annual events include the cellu l'art short film festivalExternal link in May, the University's Sommerfest de (summer party) in June, the KulturarenaExternal link series of concerts and films in July and August, and the Lange Nacht der WissenschaftenExternal link (Long Night of Science) in November.

If you would like to take part in the cultural life of Jena, you should check the city's events calendarExternal link regularly.

Are you keen on sports? On the Internet you can find information about athletic courses at FSU Jena.

Jena impressions

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Living and working in Jena
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Studying in Jena

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Jena highlights

Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)

Relaxed atmosphere in the cityExternal link
Jena's city centre is known for its pleasant atmosphere and relaxed flair. Many cafes and restaurants make it easy for you to stay a little while longer.

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Jena impressions

View from botanical garden to the former university tower
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
University main building
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
Planetarium Jena
Image: Christian Häcker
Volksbad in Jena
Image: Christian Häcker
Statue of the founder of Jena university, called Hanfried
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
View of Dornburg Castle near Jena
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
View on Jena from the hill
Image: Christian Häcker
Jena market square with weekly farmer's market
Image: Christian Häcker
View on Schleichersee
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
Fountain in the paradise park
Image: Zoe Greta Fischer
Yoga in paradise park
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
Paddling in a rubber boat on Saale river
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)