Diversity and Equal Opportunities
We know that your career is just one aspect of your life. To allow you apply your expertise, your creativity, and your dedication optimally, we have created a framework that allows you to combine your professional goals with your private life. We are aware that we have employees who look after and take care of their children and/or relatives and need to pay particular attention to their own health, as well as employees who are involved in voluntary work, who are upskilling or reskilling, or have another job in addition to their work here.
Forschungszentrum Jülich has a particularly close partnership in research, education, and science management with various universities and non-university research institutes in the Rhineland. Having agreed on the joint “Equal Opportunities – Joint Guidelines” (PDF), we are committed to actively supporting diversity, a variety of perspectives, and equal opportunities.
In 2023, Forschungszentrum Jülich was awarded the TOTAL E-QUALITY award. Key issues that are evaluated for the TOTAL E-QUALITY award include the advancement of women in leadership positions, the reconciliation of work and family life, equal opportunities in personnel recruitment and development, and the consideration of equal opportunities in the company principles.
Gender equality
We are aware of the structural obstacles that women face in the science system, which is why we are working on overcoming and eliminating these. Our mission – making an effective contribution to solving the grand challenges facing society and shaping change – means that it is not only in our own interests but that we also have a particular responsibility for ensuring that women can play an equal role in shaping this change. The advancement of women in science and in leadership positions is therefore an important aim, which we hope to achieve using targeted measures which have been bundled in our Gender Equality Plan (PDF compact or PDF detailed document).
The programme for initial university appointments (W2/W3) with the Helmholtz Association also targets excellent women scientists.
Contact and further information:
- Equal Opportunities Bureau
- Equal Opportunities officer
- Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
- Insights into the work of female Jülich scientists
Female Voice network
Female Voice is the women’s network at and for Forschungszentrum Jülich. In addition to the typical goals of networks, such as sharing information and experiences, Female Voice aims to proactively address topics that support gender equality at Jülich.
International employees and applicants
Our employees come from almost 100 different countries and around 1,000 visiting scientists come to Jülich every year for research stays from Western and Eastern Europe, Asia, the USA, Latin America, Africa, and other parts of the world. We embrace the diversity of our employees and guests and offer them various information and support services:
- International Advisory Services
- Research in Germany: Information about research landscape in Germany
- Research in Germany: Two Minutes in a Research Wonderland! (Video)
Applicants and employees with disabilities
We are constantly working on removing barriers – to our buildings, in our communication, and in our minds. Please let us know what you need to enable you to optimally apply the talents you have. During the application process, our officer for persons with disabilities and representatives for persons with disabilities offer assistance.
Contact:
- Employer's representative for employees with disabilities
- Representatives for persons with disabilities
Work and caregiving
For us, family is where people take on responsibility for others. We support families by
- offering employees flexibility in terms of organizing their working hours and place of work,
- providing access to a service for assistance in your home and assistance with childcare,
- providing an early education centre on the Jülich campus and a childcare facility nearby,
- advising employees on individual solutions for balancing work and family,
- and offering a diverse range of other services.
Further information can be found on the webpages of the Equal Opportunities Bureau.
Advancement of diversity and inclusion
The diversity of our employees is a decisive factor for success and an invaluable resource for the excellent research conducted at Forschungszentrum Jülich. It enables innovation, creativity, and the integration of many perspectives (scientific, technical, administrative, and strategic) on the same issue. Jülich therefore promotes an open and inclusive corporate culture in which all employees can develop to their full potential. Further information can be found in the Diversity & Inclusion Action Plan (PDF).
By signing the Diversity Charter in 2021, Forschungszentrum Jülich joined a network of German organizations committed to promoting diversity, equity and inclusion.
Diversity and inclusion are promoted not only at Forschungszentrum Jülich, but also throughout the Helmholtz Association. For more information, see the Helmholtz Association's Guideline on Diversity and Inclusion.
Rainbow Network
Creating a discrimination-free working environment is a top priority at Forschungszentrum Jülich. We therefore promote awareness of the diversity of gender identities and sexual orientations. A Rainbow Network for LGBTIQA+ & Friends has been established at Forschungszentrum Jülich and welcomes new members.