Niels bohr institute towards 2017

Strategy 2013 CONTENTS

Introduction 3 Challenges 4 Development of the Institute as an Organisation 7 Educating to Create Value 9 Excellent Research 13 Strengthening Interaction with Outside World 15 Infrastructure 17 Dialogue and Communication 21

2 | strategy 2013 strategy 2013 | 1 Introduction

The Niels Bohr Institute has a long-standing tradition The vision of the Niels Bohr Institute is of excellence in research and education in all fields of ·· to perform groundbreaking basic science on the physics. In the past 20 years, the Institute has seen world stage a number of mergers and experienced tremendous ·· to recruit world-class researchers and students development. In 1993, the then four institutes for ·· to deliver top-notch research-based educational physical sciences of the UCPH were merged into one, programs and due to a merger at the faculty-level, the Institute ·· to provide an attractive work and study environ- recently welcomed new colleagues formerly located at ment with a high degree of freedom for staff and the Faculty of Life Sciences. Throughout the years, a students common identity with generous space for the research ·· that all staff and students feel ownership of the work groups’ individual development and targets has been and strive to achieve the best results the goal of the Institute. Today, the Institute compris- ·· to encourage an open dialogue among all staff and es 11 research sections and the Niels Bohr Interna- students tional Academy. ·· that very early in their academic career, our students become part of the Institute’s research environment Since the turn of the millennium, strategic plans have ·· that the Institute will play an active role in society formed the common framework and set the general by educating future physicists, carrying out ground- direction of the Institute’s rapid development. The breaking basic research, disseminating research re- first of NBI’s strategic plans were unveiled in 2002. sults, and actively take part in their application This strategic plan was prepared by the Vision, Strat- egy, and Structure Reflection Group. The group comprises, in addition to the Institute management, representatives of staff groups, students, and upper secondary schools.

2 | strategy 2013 strategy 2013 | 3 Challenges

As an efficient organization, the Niels Bohr Institute Research Development has a solid base upon which we can meet challenges Development of the research environment and results emerging in the coming years. It is imperative that we at the Institute will attract highly qualified and dedi- are well prepared and that the facts we base our deci- cated academic staff. We will offer an attractive work sions and plans on are accurate. place, not least so that young and talented researchers with high potential will seek positions at the Insti- The challenges to be tackled during the coming tute in competition with the best departments in the years include: world. This goes for both national and internation- ·· to keep attracting research staff at the highest inter- al candidates. The Institute will clarify career paths national level, including young talents at PhD and leading to permanent positions and possibilities for post doc levels, and provide opportunities for them longer-term external funding. While the Institute’s also when their current funding runs out focus is on fundamental research, we will follow up ·· to maintain or even increase the external funding on secondary results with potential for industrial ap- base to ensure possibilities for future development plications. In general, the Institute will develop fur- ·· to maintain our bachelor student enrolment, and ther collaboration with industry. increase the intake of master’s students, even if the coming years will see a decline in the number of stu- Funding Academic Excellence dents graduating from the upper secondary schools In recent years, the Institute’s staff have been success- ·· to attract an even larger fraction of the very best ful in attracting external research funding. At pres- students from the upper secondary schools ent, the Institute hosts six Danish National Research ·· to enroll more international students at the master’s Foundation Centres of Excellence, three Danish preparation of high-quality research funds applica- staff and students during the transition, with particu- level Council for Independent Research - Natural Sciences tions. lar attention paid to laboratories. ·· to relocate the Institute to the Niels Bohr Building centres, and a number of other grants of considerable and develop research activities for the Blegdamsvej size, particularly EU grants. As these larger grants ex- The Physical Environment Niels Bohr applied for the Institute’s establishment, buildings as an essential part of the Institute. pire, these centres will need to secure new funding in The Niels Bohr Building will be completed during and the first building was inaugurated in 1921. The order to support their high level of research activity. A the year 2017, when the Niels Bohr Institute, De- buildings at 15-17 Blegdamsvej hold essential parts Recruitment of Students sound embedment of the expiring centres in the In- partment of Chemistry, Department of Computer of the Institute’s history, and they are inseparably at- As one of its core activities, the Institute offers educa- stitute is vital for both the researchers concerned and Sciences, Department of Mathematical Sciences and tached to its identity. Maintaining the buildings as a tional programmes in physics at the highest academic the Institute, and we will ensure that research hubs Department of Science Education will move into the part of the Institute will require significant fund-rais- level with the option to specialize in several sub-fields. developed and nurtured by the centres continue. new premises together. The Institute will play an ac- ing that will enable us to maintain an active research Our goal is to increase the number of students gradu- External funding will continue to play a significant tive role in the process to ensure that the new sur- environment in the historical buildings with the Bohr ating with a degree in physics to meet the need for and vital part in the Institute’s financial portfolio; we roundings provide the optimal support for research Office and Auditorium A. physicists in research, business, and secondary school intend to prioritize more preparation time and com- and “Institute life”. Furthermore, the relocation will teaching. petent administrative assistance for the researchers’ be prepared in detail to avoid unnecessary hassle to

4 | strategy 2013 strategy 2013 | 5 Development of the Institute The Institute currently hosts 6 Centres of Excellence funded by the Danish National Research Foundation. Each con- as an Organisation tributes significantly to the NBI’s fundamental research: The Institute is a place that inspires creativity and in- The Niels Bohr Institute is an organisation in con- novative thinking at all levels. Staff and students are stant development. Its academic environment is built Dark Cosmology Centre Centre for Ice and Climate proud of belonging to the Niels Bohr Institute. We up around 11 research groups, each with their section - Center Director Jens Hjorth - Center Director Dorthe Dahl-Jensen need room to meet and further develop our common leader, who, together with the management, form the The Dark Cosmology Centre studies the cosmological The Centre for Ice and Climate’s main activities are drill- identity with physics as the central part, both within Institute’s Management Team. The support functions aspects of the very distant, very young Universe, com- ing of ice cores through the Greenland ice sheet and the groups and in general. The Institute is renowned comprise, in addition to administration, IT, buildings bining theoretical investigations and observations of analysis of ice cores with the objective of understand- cosmic lighthouses. ing the governing processes of past and future climate. for its international milieu, where visiting researchers, operations, public outreach, library, and technical together with the Institute’s physicists, develop new support. In recent years, the Institute has grown, thus Center for Quantum Devices Center for Models of Life methods and theories. It is a key priority to develop emphasizing the need for staff, students and visitors - Center Director Charles Marcus - Center Director Kim Sneppen and expand these activities. to find ways to share a common, research and social The Center for Quantum Devices studies how to cre- Center for Models of Life uses methods from physics to ate, control, measure, and protect quantum coherence develop quantitative understanding of decision mak- and entanglement in solid-state electronic devices. ing, communication and evolution in biological sys- tems. The center develops models that can reproduce Discovery Center for Particle Physics the dynamics found in living model systems. - Center Director Peter Hansen The Discovery Center conducts experimental and theo- QUANTOP Center for Quantum Optics retical studies of elementary particle physics at the - Center Director Eugene Polzik smallest of length scales and of astro-particle physics The center concentrates on quantum state engineer- and cosmology at length scales comparable with that ing for light, atoms and ions, including entangled, of the Universe. squeezed and other interesting states. Quantum infor- mation processing is one of the major directions of the research.

The researchers at the Niels Bohr Institute have a large network and collaborate with research colleagues all over the world. The Institute hosts around 25 longterm guests each year and several hundreds visitors for shorter periods of time.

6 | strategy 2013 strategy 2013 | 7 environment in and outside working hours. The fact ible management continuously involved in decision- Educating to Create Value that the Institute is located at three different addresses making through dialogue with staff and students. The further intensifies the wish to gather common events. Institute continues to challenge the possible and will Today, the educational programmes in physics at the Recruitment be willing to take risks in order to make the best of Niels Bohr Institute are comprehensive, research- We want to attract the best students from every high Cooperation between the research administrative and opportunities turning up. intensive and linked with the Institute’s engagement school in Denmark, as we see talent as a prerequisite technical staff groups, will be encouraged in the com- in national and international activities. Physics is the for studying physics. We want the students we enroll ing years. A closer cooperation will result in a higher The Institute and the UCPH shared foundation among our students. The Institute to be well prepared for and proud of taking a physics degree of knowledge sharing and efficiency, and will As for the best and most efficient execution of the keenly encourages and supports activities that con- education at the Niels Bohr Institution. contribute to fruitful inspiration from other research various work tasks, we will develop the collabora- tribute to a strong study environment and an active groups. We will support a more organic and coop- tion ground between the Faculty and the Institute; social and academic network. erative culture in order to promote healthy interdis- we must carefully consider where the tasks are best The teaching combines traditional lectures with lab ex- ciplinary curiosity. placed. We believe in proximity, where the tasks we The physics education at the Niels Bohr Institute ercises, projects, math classes, study trips and the like. During the first three years, the students learn both solve with competence remain within the Institute. presents itself as an attractive education at an inter- in depth and breadth the fundamental disciplines and The Institute encourages an open and confident dia- national level, with an appealing study environment achieve their own identities as physicists. logue between management and staff. Together they This is in particular true for tasks with special require- where students are an integrated part of the Institute should perform the day-to-day tasks, and at the same ments for the solutions, as well as tasks requiring close in close dialogue with research staff. time prepare the Institute for future. We have a vis- cooperation between the parties.

8 | strategy 2013 strategy 2013 | 9 Student activities include induction weeks, the Physics Revue, and the yearly gala performance.

We will promote ourselves to attract the talented stu- elor’s students feel prepared and encouraged to con- High-Quality Teaching industry should be considered and initiated whenever dents whose first priority is an education in natural tinue as Master’s students at completion of their study Lecturers of the Niels Bohr Institute are highly quali- relevant. science and provide them with the opportunity to be- programme. Furthermore, we will actively seek to fied and motivated. The programmes and teaching come scientist already from the bachelor level. recruit students from other universities in Denmark adapt to the changing skills of the incoming students Physics teachers for upper secondary schools are in and abroad. Structurally and academically our Mas- and the needs of society. Didactics will be an inte- strong demand. We will support the education of The present size of student intake for the undergradu- ter’s programmes should work well with undergradu- grated part of the teaching, as to maintain the high future physics teachers by offering a specialisation in ate programmes matches well the Institute’s infra- ate programmes elsewhere, and our programmes will quality. this field, and by supporting students who have cho- structure and size of its academic staff. We must focus reflect the Institute’s stimulating, international aca- sen a career as physics teacher. on maintain the intake of bachelor’s students at the demic environment. We will clearly spell out that all career paths are current level, even though the number of students equally recognized by the Institute: research, teach- To enhance international mobility, the Institute fa-

graduating from secondary school will decline in the The Institute’s students are an integral part of an ex- ing, business and industry. Our teaching provides cilitates study abroad for our students. Spending time coming years. This means that we must seize a larger citing international research environment. Teaching at all our students with a broad and solid knowledge at a foreign university attending courses and collect- percentage of the students graduating from secondary the Institute includes theory, experiments, project- and of physics, which will launch some of them into an ing material for their theses provide our students with school than we have achieved so far, while maintaining field-work. All students develop a thorough insight international research career. We secure the breath of new insights and networks. We also want to attract and increasing the quality of the student population. into physics and can also specialise in a sub-field, such the programmes by offering our students coursework more foreign students, both exchange students and as studying the Universe through astronomy, living in all basic subjects of physics, also in subjects outside students who are working toward a full Master’s de- An active outreach effort, directed at science students organisms’ physics through biophysics, planet physics the research groups’ areas of specialisation. gree at the Institute. in upper secondary schools, will enhance their aware- through geophysics, atmospheric physics in meteorol- ogy and the smallest particles through nanophysics. ness of the physics educations at the Institute and the As early as possible in their study programme, stu- On Time Study Completion Students can also study classical physics with topics exciting career opportunities and full employment for such as particle or quantum physics. In the course of dents are invited to join one of the Institute’s research Students completing their studies within the pre- highly qualified students. their education our students are invited to join one groups, and thus become active members of the In- scribed period is a priority, and we see it as a joint re- of the research groups and will write his or her thesis stitute’s research environment. The students will play sponsibility among staff and students. We believe that An increase in the student intake for the Master’s pro- within the group’s research field. an increasingly active part in the Institute’s ongoing students will have the best career opportunities if they grammes is essential. We will ensure that our bach- research projects, and collaboration with business and can show future employers that they can complete an

10 | strategy 2013 strategy 2013 | 11 Excellent Research

The Institute’s Research Profile and support needed in many areas of physics, for The Niels Bohr Institute builds upon its position as example on large scale computation, modelling and one of the world’s leading physics institutes to be handling of large quantities of data. among the top choices for excellent students and research staff. A unique research environment, in- We will remain internationally competitive by con- ternationally renowned researches, and outstanding ducting excellent research in diverse areas of physics. technical and administrative support are vital factors Cooperation and collaboration is becoming increas- ensuring both the present health of the NBI and the ingly important in solving complex problems and promising future necessary to attract the best talent broad research questions, and the NBI should en- available. courage and facilitate cooperation among the Insti- tute’s research groups and, of course, internationally Transparency and potentially reform in the academic with other institutes and organizations. The Institute position structure will encourage talented researchers offers possibilities in many different fields and we will to take positions at the NBI. Our PhD students and strive for a research-oriented culture rather than one post doctoral researchers play important roles in re- solely focussed on short-term projects. Continuous search as well as teaching, and should feel encouraged development and openness towards new opportuni- to take an active part in the academic and social life ties are of great importance to the Institute. In order at the Institute. to facilitate this, we must make an environment con- ducive to the sharing of thoughts and ideas and inter- The success of the NBI is built on a foundation of action among staff, students and international guests, ambitious program without delay. The Institute sup- academic freedom and conditions favourable for ex- through continued activity at The Niels Bohr Inter- ports the students so they can finish in time and en- The education in Nanoscience was established in 2002 cellent research; these must be maintained. Through national Academy and within the research sections. sures that the study programmes allow this. Hence, as a cooperation between the Niels Bohr Institute and dialogue academic staff will shape the research profile the Department of Chemistry. 50 students are enrolled the Institute will work to remove structural barriers of the Institute in the years to come. The factors to per year, and they receive their education at the H.C. The Niels Bohr International Academy was developed that may cause delays. Ørsted Institute. The students studying Nanoscience consider include the integration of new talent attract- in light of the traditions of internationalism, interdisci- learn to comprehend the nanoscale world in the bor- ed and activities started by the major research centres, plinarity and excellence in physics which have charac- derland between physics, chemistry and biology and to commitments to educational programs and teaching, terized the Niels Bohr Institute since its founding. The control the smallest parts of our world – atoms. as well as our responsibilities to society, including Academy serves as a research centre for theoretical business and industry. We will continue to make the and mathematical physics and other disciplines with most of our participation in major international re- seven permanent researchers. The Academy also hosts search collaborations such as CERN, ESO, ESS, and guest professors and organises many international XFEL. The role of eScience at the Institute is key and workshops, seminars and colloquia. will further be developed, offering expert knowledge

12 | strategy 2013 strategy 2013 | 13 The PhD Programme at the Niels Bohr Institute Today, the most talented students from the Master’s The PhD programme is of great importance to the programme are a central source of incoming PhD stu- Niels Bohr Institute, since the PhD students perform dents, though international recruitment is also strong. a significant research of the Institute’s research and In order to continue to attract the best international teaching. They are the future of physics. The Niels candidates, procedures for enrolling and employing Strengthening Interaction with Bohr Institute will continue to strengthen its position foreign students as PhD students at the Niels Bohr Outside World in the growing international competition for the most Institute will be simplified. Together with our inter- talented PhD students, for example by offering highly national collaborators, we will develop double and The Niels Bohr Institute actively promotes interest high-quality education. Prior to their specializations competitive and attractive programmes. joint degrees both to strengthen our programmes and in physics throughout society. We will strengthen within the various subfields of physics they have all to promote international mobility. our activities directed toward the general public with achieved a substantial knowledge of basic sciences. a particular eye toward awakening an interest in sci- Our students should be aware of their qualifications The institute has 11 research sections that cover a While the Institute has a long-standing tradition of ence, and particular in physics, in children and young and it should be clear to them where they can ap- large range of sub-areas within physics: offering high-quality international PhD courses, there people. By offering activities away from the Institute ply for jobs. An increased amount of collaborative Dark Cosmology Centre is room for development. In the years to come, we we will ensure that we reach children and youth who projects with business and industry will lead to a Astro Physics and Planetary Science will develop more courses which are attractive both would not have visited our events on their own ac- higher number of students carrying out study-relat- Ice and Climate to our own students as well as to PhD students from cord. This will be done in close collaboration with ed projects in private companies; thus the students Climate and Geophysics other universities. primary and secondary schools, and teacher training will become familiar with their opportunities in the Xray and Neutron Science colleges as well as with other educational and research corporative job market, including the industrial PhD Condensed Matter Physics institutions. programme, early in their academic career. The Niels eScience Bohr Institute is industry-friendly; throughout the Theoretical Particle Physics and Cosmology An International Workplace Cooperation with Business and Industry years we have been housing small companies that Experimental Particle Physics Of the 155 PhD students enrolled at the Institute, 88 Through close dialogue with business and industry we have come into existence as a result of the research Bio Complexity have an international background. Among the re- will ensure that our graduates are always attractive in carried out at the Institute. Ultracold Atoms and Quantum Optics search staff 52 out of 147 come from abroad. the job market and are known to possess a useful and

14 | strategy 2013 strategy 2013 | 15 It is important that the benefits of our basic research, nicate their findings to a broad audience. The Niels Infrastructure including the technical training of our students, reach Bohr Institute is a well renowned institution with a society. When opportunities and interest arise, the In- proud tradition in research and a strong brand. We To provide our staff and students the best possible dents, and visitors. Availability of meeting rooms and stitute will establish contact with businesses that will will also focus on promoting the NBI in new ways to working conditions, a flexible, well-run infrastructure public space is a prerequisite to develop a common develop applications of our scientific knowledge. Our effectively reach various audiences. We will commu- that effectively supports the Institute’s functions is es- identity and encourage the development of new sci- ambition is to promote passion-driven collaboration nicate professionally with the Institute’s various stake- sential. Flexibility and adaptability are critical to the entific ideas. on topics of common interest between our researchers holders, including the political world. On a broader development of administrative and technical support and industry. scale, we strive to increase awareness among the pub- and must be enhanced while maintaining close coop- There are already comprehensive and fruitful col- lic of the value of physics research for the develop- eration with the research groups. laborations among several of the institutes that are to Public Outreach ment of knowledge and technology. We will safeguard move into the Niels Bohr Building, both in research The Niels Bohr Institute’s researchers appear frequent- our historical values while using them efficiently in The Physical Framework – the Buildings of the and education, for example via the Nano-Science ly in the media, and our Public Outreach Section is our fundraising and recruitment activities, nationally Niels Bohr Institute Center. The Niels Bohr Building is an opportunity doing extremely well helping researchers commu- as well as internationally. The Institute is challenged in terms of space, as we to strengthen and develop these ties. Furthermore, we have seen a large increase in staff but not in square will facilitate continuous collaboration between staff metres. To provide the students with an attractive at the different addresses of NBI, including the elec- study environment, lecture rooms and laboratories tronic and mechanic workshops. must be kept up-to-date. The Institute should be a pleasant place to work and study for us all: staff, stu-

16 | strategy 2013 strategy 2013 | 17 Finally, there is a need for a software workshop com- word both regarding administrative units and time; parable to the mechanic and electronic workshops, the best solution at one time may not be the best at where the researchers can get assistance with the con- another. Joint responsibility and even better inter- struction of necessary programmes in relation to their action and cooperation in the administrative teams projects. Regarding support, the optimal solution is should lead to a dynamic administration able to re- that the users only have to address a single point of act swiftly and effectively to the researchers’ varying entry. Generally, IT support should be close to the needs. Regarding research funding, we will have a users and adaptable to their needs. professional and proactive culture, where researchers are well advised on the many funding possibilities and Administrative Infrastructure assisted by competent administrative staff members. Competent and service-minded administrative staff The Institute has an extensive and active programme members ensure that staff and students get the as- for visiting researchers, which we will continue han- sistance they need, and that the Institute presents it- dling and supporting at the Institute level. Other self as a professional and well-run organisation. The examples of areas where local support is needed are administrative staff feel ownership of their tasks and communication and administration regarding teach- the results they achieve, while developing their skills ing. The library is not only an academic gathering point, it also offers study rooms for our students and knowledge to meet the evolving needs of the In- The Niels Bohr Institute will continue to challenge stitute. Our administration will remain flexible and the boundaries and look for novel solutions when it Technical Infrastructure Technical Workshop strives to be internationally solution oriented. comes to administrative challenges. We want to be- The mechanic and electronic workshops play a vital com­­petitive, enabling it to successfully bid for large come a role model for other institutes and faculties at role at the Niels Bohr Institute, since much of the international projects, such as instrumentation devel- Administrative resources will be distributed in the the University and to play an active role in the devel- equipment used in the research projects is custom opment for ESA, ESS, CERN, and MAX IV. most logical way to support research. Flexibility is key opment of the entire University. made. Technicians also assist with teaching, especially in experimental classes that involve the use of tech- IT Infrastructure nical equipment. Experience shows that productive Today, a well performing IT infrastructure with fa- collaboration between researchers and technicians cilities and software programmes in demand is crucial works best in physically close settings, so it is vital if the employees should be able to solve their tasks that the Technical Workshops are located as close as within research as well as education. This includes, possible to researchers. To best use our technicians’ among other things, good network facilities with suf- skills, knowledge and creativity, standard equipment ficient capacity to cover all employees and students, a and services should be bought externally. well performing email programme, backup and suf- ficient power for calculations necessary for minor as It is important that the size and skills of the techni- well as medium-sized projects, and a suitable range of cal staff group is adequate to adapt to the changing software programmes. As far as the Institute does not Today, the Institute is located at three different addresses. Particle Physics, Quantum Optics, Biophysics, the Academy and the demands of the Institute. Technical support will be deliver this service, we must make sure that ScienceIT administration are placed at the old institute at Blegdamsvej, while Condensed Matter Physics and Xray and Neutron Science upgraded to achieve an acceptable, stable level. The and KoncernIT do. are at HCØ. Geophysics, Astronomy and the Dark Cosmology Centre are housed in the Rockefeller Complex.

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Dialogue and Communication

Internal communication Language Policy and Internationalisation Open dialogue among all staff categories, including The Niels Bohr Institute is an international institu- the leadership, is essential for the development of the tion, and many nationalities are present among our Institute. On-going projects, roles and special achieve- staff, students and guests. Our communication must ments are visible in order to enable our staff to better be efficient and clear and should accommodate non- understand each other’s work areas. Efficient and ef- Danish speakers. fective internal communication promotes a positive work climate and helps establish and maintain good work relations.

Meetings, where the Management Team visits the re- From Strategy to Action search groups, are valuable opportunities for a direct An action plan group has been appointed to analyze dialogue between staff and leaders. Regular meetings the final strategy and move ahead on creating an ac- internal to the research sections are also of great im- tion plan based on the main themes of the strategy. The action plan group will coordinate the process and portance, as they encourage dialogue and flow of in- ensure momentum in relation to the various themes formation from and to the Management Team. On- and their eventual action items. A wide variety of Insti- line information, newsletters, email and face-to-face tute staff will be consulted in the development of the are all important means of communication, and we action plan, which will eventually be presented, dis- Places and events that bring people together are of direct scientific value. An essential part of the internal communication cussed and evaluated by the Institute Council. occurs at an informal social level, such as receptions and common events. All staff should feel welcome to and support the will give more attention to using the right media for traditional yearly events: Kick-off, Summer Party, Christmas Lunch, and the like. communicating effectively in various situations.

20 | strategy 2013 strategy 2013 | 21 The strategy is based on input from the Institute’s Vision, Strategy, and Structure Reflection Group (VSSRG):

Representatives of the management: Representative of the technical staff: Robert Feidenhans’l Axel Boisen Niels Obers Aksel Walløe Hansen Representatives of the students: Anne Nordentoft Svend Steffensen Niels Momsen Claus B. Sørensen Christoffer Østfeldt Esben Bork Hansen Representatives of Senior Faculty: Johan Fynbo Representative of the upper secondary schools: Ian Bearden Carsten Claussen, Tornbjerg Gymnasium Kim Lefmann Charlie Marcus Editors: Bente Juhl Andersen (Danish version) and Michelle Representatives of Junior Faculty: Cumming Løkkegaard (English version) Jacob Kirkensgaard Jürgen Appel Responsible: Anne Mette Frejsel Robert Feidenhans’l Andrew Zirm Translation: Representative of the administration: Ulla Behrend Michelle Cumming Løkkegaard

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