Principles of promotion, challenges, derived goals and measures
Female doctoral candidate with a doctoral hat
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
The importance of young researchers
The qualification and promotion of young researchers play a key role in a society and an economy that depend for their development potential to a great extent on the successes in education and research. The young scientific talents of today will be the backbone of tomorrow's research. In many areas, the results obtained by young researchers are already making a significant contribution to scientific progress. Their academic expertise and problem-solving ability are in demand not only in academia itself, but also for activities far beyond it.
Against this background, the academic community has a special responsibility to society to stimulate at a very early stage the enthusiasm for research of young people interested in science. It should also ensure that they can develop this interest in the best possible way by providing suitable conditions.
Support at the Friedrich Schiller University of Jena
View of the domicile of the Graduate Academy in the house "Zur Rosen"
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
With its structures and processes, together with strategies to promote young researchers, Friedrich Schiller University Jena meets this responsibility in an exceptional way. It focuses on developing and establishing binding quality standards throughout the university, as well as a wide range of measures for individual support (Policy and Service).
A dedicated Vice-President ensures that the subject of young researchers is well-established at the highest level of university management. The Vice-President's strategies are implemented and further developed with an emphasis on quality by the Jena Graduate Academy. The University Senate has set up its own committee for young researchers, which decides on individual funding and prepares important measures for improving career planning and for ensuring good employment conditions. The interests of the doctoral candidates' body, which is embedded in the Basic Regulations of the university, are represented by the DR.FSU Doctoral Candidates' Council.
Attractive conditions are fundamental for doctoral candidates and postdocs to be engaged and dedicated in research and teaching.
Image: Anne Günther (University of Jena)
Supervision and Mentoring
The basis of any support for young researchers is high-quality supervision for doctoral candidates and reliable mentoring for postdocs.
Image: istockphoto.com/Eoneren
Appreciation and Independance
All measures are based on the fundamental appreciation of the individual achievements of doctoral candidates and postdocs, as well as the promotion of increasing independence and personal responsibility.
Image: Jan-Peter Kasper (University of Jena)
Qualification, Counselling and Development
Further qualification, career counselling and personnel development support the diversity of career paths, depending on the career progress achieved.
Image: Gerd Altmann / Pixabay
Diversity, Gender Equality and Compatibility
Valuing and promoting individual and socio-cultural diversity, gender equality, the compatibility of family and career, as well as avoiding and eliminating all forms of discrimination, are also guiding principles for the promotion of young researchers at Friedrich Schiller University Jena.
