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Personnel development: Programmes for
postdocs, guest scientists and refugees
To do justice to the needs of the different target groups at
the BfR as well as the expectations that are placed on
them, three new programmes were introduced in 2015 in
addition to the ones that already existed for executives,
doctorate candidates and newly hired employees. Ten
new postdoc positions were advertised with the goal of
promoting up-and-coming talent as well as experienced
scientists and strengthening cooperation with the univer-
sities. An essential component of this programme is the
support of postdocs in their further career planning in
the form of individual coaching.
To boost international cooperation and promote scientific
talent, a guest scientist programme was also announced
which is aimed primarily at scientists abroad. Of the
43 applications received, ten applicants were selected
for a three-month guest visit to the BfR with assumption
of costs. The BfR welcomed scientists from many coun-
About the BfR
tries, including China, Iceland and Uruguay in 2015. The
second announcement was made at the end of the year
and the number of applications rose to a pleasing 89. In
2016, the BfR looks forward to welcoming guest scien-
tists from Ethiopia, Brazil, China, France, Ireland, Kenya,
Nigeria, South Korea, Uganda and Ukraine.
Over and above this, the BfR advertised an internship
programme for refugee scientists in 2015 which also in-
volves individually adapted further training options. To
date, refugees from Syria and Pakistan have started an
internship of this kind.
The BfR guest scientist programme serves to strengthen
international collaboration and promote scientific talent.