Title: Folie 1
1Researchers in Europe without Barriers Czech
Presidency Conference Creating attractive
framework conditions and attracting talented
junior scientists Ilka Schießler Max Planck
Society, Germany Prague, 28 April 2009
2The Max Planck Society
- Application must be preceded by knowledge. (Max
Planck) - The Max Planck Societys research activities are
- knowledge driven
- open to application
- oriented towards basic research
- The Max Planck Societys scientists work
- at the frontier of knowledge
- at an internationally recognized level
- in selected areas, whenever they
- are new or
- not (yet) represented at universities or
- require special funding and/or must be set up
for the especially long term or - enable the training of specialized junior
scientists
3Locations
4The global knowledge-based society of the future
- Research based on the solid foundation of
education and qualification - Key factor in ensuring the societys prosperity
- Programms to support excellent junior scientists
- Financial and legal framework conditions
5International competition for the brightest minds
- Demographic trends in Germany and Europe
- More schoolchildren must obtain university
qualifications to survive in global competition - The potential of women must be harnessed to
greater effect
6Attractive scientific career opportunities
- Primary importance number of scientific job
available in specific specialist fields - Problem cut back or discontinued research fields
owing to financial considerations - Better long-term prospects
- Otherwise junior scientists will look for jobs
abroad or in areas outside of science
7Reconciling family and professional life
- Hertie Foundationss career and family audit in
2006 currently being re-audited ? ongoing
measures are assessed, development potential is
identified and continuing support is developed - Childcare situation has been improved
- existing childcare provisions have been extended
or facilities have been newly established - range of childcare services and times were
enhanced - ? better reconciliation of family and working life
8Equal opportunities between men and women
- Support parents in continuing their scientific
careers - Dual-career support
- Childcare and extention of childcare times
- Childcare services during congresses, meetings
and evening seminars - Flexibility in terms of working hours and
location - Improved opportunities for part-time employment
- Internet protal family and work
9Statistical data
- Women make up over 24 of scientific staff
- Almost 23 of heads of junior research groups and
senior research scientists, and more than 40 of
doctoral students are women - In 2008, 5 of 20 newly vacant W3 positions and
21 of 41 W2 positions went to women
10Various stages of scientific career
- Permeability between various stages of a
scientific career and the recruitment process are
key factors for a successful science system - MPS supports junior scientist at all stages of
their carrer - Students
- Doctoral students
- Postdoctorals
- Independent Junior Research Groups
- Publically advertised in specialist publications
or in the MPSs employment listings
11Qualifications and advancement
- Wide range of opportunities
- Position of Junior Professors for qualification
as a Professor or a Scientific Member - Cooperation agreements with universities on
joint appointments of Junior Professors
12More than the university degree!
- Employment requirements for university
professors - Pedagogical skills
- Exceptional abiltiy in scientific work
- Evidence of additional scientific achievement
13Fast-track Procedures
- For particularly talented students
- Commonplace in Anglo-Saxon countries
- Enable to join doctoral programms directly after
completing a Bachelors degree or after one-year
preparatory Masters stage - Germany is currently losing the brightest junior
scientists
14Tenure-track
- The MPS attaches great improtance to presenting
career opportunities to the top candidates - At the same time MPS must also develop its own
research profile - ? tenure track positions are only offered on a
very limited basis - Balance between fixed-term and permanent
positions - Appointment decisions are made on a individual
basis, depending on the results of scientific
evaluation and scientific perspective planning
15International standing
- Opportunities in Germany are essentially
attractive, even by international standards - Major problem lack of specialized workforces
maintain a lead in innovation in future ? in the
field of mathematics, information technologie,
natural sciences and technology - Women are under-represented in technical and
scientific fields of study in Germany - Modernization of the traditional culture of work
and science is required
16Student assistants, Ph.D. students, post-docs,
research scholars and guest-scientists
17Student assistants, Ph.D. students, post-docs,
research scholars and guest-scientists 2007 acc.
to nationality
18- Thank you for your attention