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Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft

Deutsche Interview Forschungsgemeinschaft

Nurturing Tomorrow’s Research Leaders

The Heisenberg Programme Contents

Named after a Nobel Laureate The Heisenberg Programme is all about quality 3 Independent, Motivating, Generous Career Support The Heisenberg fellowship has been a great career opportunity for many researchers 4 Quality Standards As High As Ever Over 2,000 fellows since the inception of the Heisenberg Programme 6 A Playful Genius revolutionised 9 Heisenberg Fellowship Made Possible 2 was one of the first fellows 10 Intrigued by Research Management Imprint Jürgen Mlynek calls for clear career paths 11 A Model That Aims to Encourage The Heisenberg professorship: Published by Interview with Beate Scholz and Paul Heuermann 12 Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) German Research Foundation A Whole Lot of Freedom Kennedyallee 40 53175 Roland Strausz is the first Heisenberg professor of economics 14 Tel.: +49 228 885-1 Fax: +49 228 885-2777 [email protected] Getting to the Root of Kidney Failure www.dfg.de Eva Brand uses her Heisenberg professorship Coordination to investigate the genetic causes of disease 15 Dr. Anjana Buckow Michaela Dreike Dr. Beate Scholz Three Questions for Editor Annette Schavan, E. Jürgen Zöllner Uschi Heidel and Elmar Weiler 16 Trio Service GmbH www.trio-medien.de Climate Archive at the Bottom of the Sea English translation SciTech Communications GmbH Hildegard Westphal delves deep into the history of the Earth 18 www.scitech.de Bridge to a Career in Germany Design, typesetting, cover axeptDESIGN Christof Rapp believes in the relevance of ancient philosophy www.axeptdesign.de to today’s discourse 19 Images Cover: Heisenberg: AIP Emilio Segre Visual Making Europe Competitive Archives; portrait: DFG; teaching: Lichtenscheidt Dependable careers strengthen young researchers and universities 20 Pages 4/5 in order of appearance: private; private; MPI for Iron Research; private; private; Metz, University of Tübingen; Career Boost and Academic Freedom ISD; Neubauer; University of ; “Heisenbergers” experience periods abroad as great opportunities 22 ETH Zurich; private; University of the Federal Armed Forces; Veldhuisen Those Brief Moments of Understanding Print Hélène Esnault and Eckart Viehweg Richard Thierbach pursue top-level mathematical research in Essen 24 Buch- und Offsetdruckerei GmbH Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany Confidence in the Potential of Young Researchers Circulation 3,000 From the first announcement to today 26 November 2007 Editorial

Named after a Nobel Laureate

The Heisenberg Programme is all about quality © DFG

At age 26, Werner Heisenberg was ap- pointed professor; at 32 he was award- 3 ed the Nobel Prize – an exception- al career that many aspire to but few achieve. Heisenberg was therefore the obvious choice when it came to naming a new programme for promoting young, highly qualifi ed researchers headed for professorship. From the very beginning it was clear that successful applicants would have to be top-tier talent and to fi ve years) that has made this fellow- the DFG provides start-up funding for “young for their accomplishments”, as ship so attractive for many applicants. a professorship for fi ve years. Following it was put by Heinz Maier-Leibnitz, the Quite a few funding recipients use their a successful interim review, the position DFG President at the time. fellowship for a stay abroad. then converts into a regular university The decision 30 years ago to establish professorship. This model can be con- The programme was originally designed this programme was driven by two con- sidered the beginning of a tenure-track to run for fi ve years and fund 750 fel- siderations that remain important to system with secure career prospects lowships. It was hoped that after this this day. period the diffi cult job situation would and thus represents a big step forward for young researchers in Germany. On the one hand, young researchers have improved. The vast majority of who were already qualifi ed for pro- these early fellows found suitable posi- Today the Heisenberg Programme is fessorship but had yet to be offered a tions. At the same time, word quickly one of the DFG’s most renowned fund- got around about the excellent quality permanent position at a German uni- ing programmes. Since 1978 it has sup- of the fellows and of the programme. versity were to be given an opportuni- ported over 2,000 researchers, many of ty to bridge the gap with independent In 1991 this success ultimately persuad- whom have attained prominent posi- research work. The objectives were to ed the DFG to continue the programme tions in and academia, or – as keep highly gifted young researchers out of its own budget to systematically I predict with certainty – will do so in from switching to fi elds outside of sci- promote excellence, even after the job the future. ence and to retain their talent for re- situation had improved. search in Germany, as well as to achieve The last major innovation was the intro- a balanced age structure at research in- duction of the Heisenberg professorship stitutions. in late 2005. Interestingly, Heisenberg On the other hand, there was a desire professorships had been included in the to allow exceptionally qualifi ed scien- initial concept and suggested several tists and academics to pursue independ- times. Originally they were supposed ent research, unencumbered by super- to follow up the fellowship period or visors, institutions or predetermined provide provisional appointments, to be projects. It is especially the freedom to eliminated as soon as the Heisenberg Prof. Dr.-Ing. Matthias Kleiner choose their own topic, their schedule fellow was offered a permanent pro- President of the and their workplace (for a period of up fessorship. Under the current solution, Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft Testimonials

After spending As one of the first Heisenberg fellows The Heisenberg time abroad at in 1978 I benefited early on from what fellowship was Fermilab, Chica- was then a unique new programme to the most impor- go, and the Uni- promote young researchers. I took full tant support I versity of Roches- advantage of it, received through- ter, New York, the pausing twice to out my career. It Heisenberg fel- take on visiting was a valuable lowship allowed professorships, experience to see me to shift my re- and leveraged Germany’s pre- search focus from it for my devel- mier research or- P anti-P scattering opment as an ganisation make at 2 TeV at the Tevatron to PP scatter- academic. The fel- such an enormous leap of faith. Even ing at 14 TeV at the LHC – even while lowship certainly though researchers tend to specialise realising a dual-career solution together contributed to my early these days, a Heisenberg fellow- with my wife, also a particle , appointment as ship proves, for the first time in a young at the Institute for Physics. the first profes- researcher’s career, that the greater sor for ecological psychology. At any community recognises that scientist’s Prof. Dr. Arnulf Quadt rate, it marked the beginning of my achievements, conferring responsibility Institute of Physics II, University of Göttingen professional career, also in the area of by ensuring maximum freedom. research policy. 4 Prof. Dr.-Ing. habil. Dierk Raabe Prof. Dr. Lenelis Kruse-Graumann Head of Microstructure Physics Institute of Psychology, and Metal Forming, Max Planck Institute Division of Ecological Psychology, for Iron Research, Düsseldorf FernUniversität in Hagen - University of Hagen

Independent, Motivating, Generous Career Support

The Heisenberg fellowship has been a great career opportunity for many researchers

What did the Heisenberg fel- At first the fellow- lowship mean for ship was a great someone who piece of fortune was 39 at the and a great reas- time? Quite sim- After I completed surance. A great ply relief from all my doctorate I piece of fortune that daily hyper- went into Big Sci- because, as a re- bureaucratic ence. An exciting cently habilitated nonsense that an field, large fa- adjunct professor, assistant at a per- cilities, long-term I was freed from petually reforming German university projects, interna- the dreary pros- has to take care of. I was able to resign tional measuring pect of trying to economically survive from my assistant position, concentrate campaigns, my the next five years, in which hardly any on teaching young, smart students, own team, a well- vacancies were expected to open up. which brought me many moments of paid permanent position – in short, an And it was reassuring to see that all my happiness, read really thick books, and excellent career environment. But, after work hadn’t been in vain but was be- even write some myself. A fabulous an extended stay in Stanford, all of that ing positively acknowledged. However, time without frustrations! Sadly, the call just wasn’t enough anymore: there was since shortly afterwards I had the luck to my first professorship came all too no interaction with students. A success- to receive a call to fill the only vacant soon. ful Heisenberg proposal enabled me to chair, I ended up declining the fellow- return to academia. ship. Prof. Dr. Friedrich Wilhelm Graf Faculty of Protestant Theology, Prof. Dr. Katharina Kohse-Höinghaus Prof. Dr. Joachim Rückert Department of Systematic Theology, Department of Physical Chemistry I, Department of Legal History, Ludwig Maximilian University of University of Bielefeld University of am Main Testimonials

Fantastic! The fellowship was one of The Heisenberg After I habilitated at the University of my life’s most positive experiences. In- fellowship al- Frankfurt at age 30, the Heisenberg fel- dependent, motivating, generous in its lowed me to lowship gave me the wonderful oppor- implementation, focus on my re- tunity to keep working on my research uncomplicated search activities projects, without the pressure of having in its procedures, and to visit the to find a permanent position as soon as it allowed me to US for extended possible. I used thrive and blos- periods to work my fellowship to som. I could on collaborative go to the Optical hardly believe projects. It was Center that something also an important at the University like this existed. It quality criterion and definitely one of of Arizona, where gave me the cour- the reasons why I was offered profes- after one year I age to be one of sorships. got a tenure-track the best. Thanks to all who made this position as an as- possible for me. Prof. Dr. Jürgen Soll sociate professor. Department of I, Botany, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich Prof. Dr.-Ing. Bernd Kröplin Prof. Dr. Stefan W. Koch Institute of Statics and Dynamics Faculty of Physics, of Aerospace Structures, University of Marburg University of In 1995, the fellowship gave me the opportunity to join the newly founded 5 Max Planck Institute for the History of I received the Heisenberg fellowship in Science in . The Heisenberg fellowship enabled 1994, simultaneously with an offer to I tackled new me to work continuously with two of substitute for a professor at the Bun- projects there the most reputable teams for nonlin- deswehr University in Neubiberg, which which I hadn’t ear dynamics, at is why I didn’t take up the fellowship. even mentioned the universities of But when I was in my application, Potsdam in Ger- appointed to this and I didn’t have many and Mary- chair in 1996, and a bad conscience land in the US. for all my applica- because I sensed During this period tions up to that that the Heisen- I formed many point, the fellow- berg Programme Independent, Motivating, Generous Career Support international co- ship was extreme- is based on trust and freedom – trust operative relation- ly helpful. The that fellows will make the most of their ships, which have reputation alone The Heisenberg fellowship has been a great career opportunity for many researchers privileged situation and feel free to pur- played a crucial of having been sue whatever research is closest to their role in my scientific career and continue accepted into a heart. to influence my research to this day. DFG excellence programme gave me an immediate advantage with appoint- Prof. Dr. Ulrike Feudel Prof. Dr. Michael Hagner Institute for Chemistry and Biology Science Studies, ment committees. of the Marine Environment (ICBM), ETH Zurich University of Prof. Dr. Merith Niehuss Historian, President of the Bundeswehr University in Neubiberg

The Heisenberg fellowship was the most privileged phase of my academic life so far, and one for which I am ex- Without the Heisenberg fellowship my tremely grateful. Not only was I able academic career would have taken an to organise my The Heisen- entirely different course, and certainly time freely and berg Programme a less successful work productively enabled me to one. The fellow- without restric- go abroad for ex- ship came at just tions, I also had tended research the right time, the opportunity visits, which have and by allowing to go on long definitely enriched my scholarship and me to visit Ameri- and intensive my knowledge of the international can and British visits abroad, do- university system. Being able to do re- research institu- ing field work in search at the foremost institutions in tions it opened Southeast Asia. the was important for my new horizons that Never before or afterwards have I en- development and my career. My stay helped define my joyed so much creative freedom. And in Potsdam was particularly helpful in future work. Contacts I was able to make “on the side” I also gave birth to our preparing me for my current leadership 20 years ago still provide a basis for son during this period. position. transatlantic collaboration today.

Prof. Dr. Frauke Kraas Prof. Dr. Artemis Alexiadou Prof. Dr. Bernd Engler Department of Geography, Institute of Linguistics, English Department, Uni- American Studies, University of versity of Stuttgart Rector of the University of Tübingen The Programme

Quality Standards As High As Ever

Over 2,000 fellows since the inception of the Heisenberg Programme

A 1978 newspaper advertisement an- nouncing the DFG’s fi rst call for proposals in the Heisenberg Programme

It must have been due to the name that over, the chanc- 6 a disproportionately large number of es of young scien- participated in the fi rst round tists and academics of proposals for Heisenberg fellow- finding long-term ships. Today “Heisenberg” stands for employment in sci- quality in all areas of research while the ence and research reason behind the programme’s name diminished signifi - is sometimes forgotten. “To me, Wern- cantly. The jobs er Heisenberg embodies everything we that had been cre- expect of our fellows,” says Dr. Robert ated during the ex- Paul Königs, Head of the DFG’s Scientif- pansion phase were ic Affairs Department. “Heisenberg was already occupied by young researchers; Germany. This is exactly why so much young, he was an outstanding research- the job market was sewn up for years is being done these days to support er, and he was mobile.” to come. What to do with highly gifted young research talent, especially by the young talent? DFG. “Promoting young researchers is In 1927 Werner Heisenberg, only 26 very close to our hearts and one of our years old, formulated one of the funda- On 4 November 1977 the heads of Ger- core missions,” emphasises Robert Paul mental tenets of quantum mechanics: many’s federal and state governments, Königs. Although in 1951 the DFG’s the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. following a recommendation by the statutes made no mention of it, the That same year he was appointed pro- Federal and State Commission for Ed- “education and advancement of young fessor in ; three years earlier he ucational Planning and Research Pro- researchers” was incorporated into the had already been ’s assistant motion, adopted an effective counter- statutes as a goal in 1959. Today every- and worked with in Copen- measure. The DFG was put in charge of body understands that investing in tal- hagen. In 1932 he received the Nobel implementing it. The politicians wanted ented minds brings out the country’s Prize. He is even one of a select group to keep “those with a particular pen- greatest potential. of scientists whose names have made chant and talent for research and schol- their way into popular culture: “Heisen- arship from seizing opportunities in Strong showing by physicists berg compensators” are a 24th centu- non-research fi elds, thus being lost to The Heisenberg Programme was the ry invention, devised on a famous star- science and academia,” as stated in the DFG’s first new programme to be ship. But back to the 20th century. DFG’s 1978 annual report. launched since the Collaborative Re- What to do with young talent? The Heisenberg Programme was to en- search Centres were initially started in able qualifi ed young researchers “to 1967. For the fi rst round of funding, During the 1960s and 1970s West Ger- devote themselves to research, free from 1978 to 1982, the budget provided many experienced a period of extraordi- from other obligations, in order to re- for a total of 750 fellowships. By 15 De- narily rapid growth in higher education. tain them in science and academia.” cember 1978, the application deadline Existing universities were expanded and It wasn’t just about preventing brain for the fi rst round, 344 proposals had many new ones established. So many drain until new job openings became been received in Bonn. With 44 appli- permanent positions were created that available – the inventors of the Heisen- cants for physics, the eponym’s research it didn’t seem necessary to promote up- berg Programme also wanted to invig- area made the strongest showing, fol- and-coming scientists through special orate research in general, and there- lowed by 19 proposals for mathematics. programmes. But once the boom was by sustain and enhance innovation in Other clusters were found in theoreti- The Programme © fotolia

cal and biology; 55 applica- tions were received for the . 7

Conspicuously under-represented were © photocase the engineering sciences and practical medicine. Robert Paul Königs has an ex- planation: “In those fields there are oth- er paths that lead to professorship, for example work in an industrial or clini- cal setting.” Not much has changed in this regard – only a few engineers have joined the programme since then. Many other things did change, however: once the DFG realised that overly rigid rules turn off creative minds, it did away with the age limit of 33, as it did for its oth- er programmes. Today’s Heisenberg fel- lows are a bit older on average than those of the past; the largest cohort is between 35 and 40 years old.

While women were highly under-repre- sented during the first round in 1978 – they made up only 7% of applicants and 5% of those accepted – their share a prerequisite. Rejection rates are still poor outlook for permanent positions. increased to 22% in 2006. “But it’s not high, and the programme can boast an Indeed it wasn’t until 1990 that all of necessarily a good sign to see more amazing track record. “Due to the strict the originally intended 750 fellowships women fellows.” Robert Paul Königs criteria it applies, the fellowship has had been awarded. Yet there was nev- warns of undue optimism. “It turns out become a brand name and gained an that permanent positions still tend to er any doubt about the mission of the extraordinary reputation,” says Robert go to men, whereas women have to programme, because a shortage of ha- Paul Königs. scrape by on fellowships.” bilitated scientists and scholars was still looming. Therefore, as part of the A Heisenberg fellowship is more than A brand name Higher Education Special Programme a CV boost. Yet quite a few research- II, a “Heisenberg” succession plan was One thing has not changed since the ers, knowing they won’t even need developed for 1991 to 2000. Heisenberg Programme was launched the funding, have applied for that very 30 years ago: the scientific quality reason. Today it seems hard to believe DFG continues “Heisenberg” standards which successful applicants that the programme initially suffered must meet are extremely demanding. a lack of applicants. Eugen Seibold, The third phase of the Heisenberg Pro- However, eligibility for professorship is DFG President from 1980 to 1985, sur- gramme was initiated by the DFG itself. also an important criterion, though, un- mised at the time that the fellowship Once the special funds were exhausted, like in the past, habilitation is no longer might not be very attractive due to a newly approved fellowships could not The Programme

have been fi nanced throughout their the Leibniz Prize. In addition, many searchers to multitask, the Heisenberg given term. “Therefore the DFG de- former fellows currently serve on the Programme points in a clear direction. cided rather quickly that both the He- DFG’s highest statutory bodies. With “A Heisenberg fellow has made a com- isenberg Programme, as an outstand- Klaus von Klitzing, a fi rst-round fellow, mitment to science.” ing excellence programme for future there’s even a Nobel laureate in physics Susanne Weiss university teachers, and a scaled-down – like Heisenberg himself – among the fellowship programme for habilitation alumni. According to Klaus von Klitzing, candidates should be continued and the Heisenberg fellowship was a crucial fi nanced from its own regular budget prerequisite for his 1985 Nobel Prize starting in 2001,” said the DFG Secre- success (see page 10). To date the DFG tary General at the time, Dr. Reinhard has granted over 2,000 A letter of thanks from University of Karlsruhe’s Grunwald, in 2000. fellowships – a lack of ap- president to the president of the DFG for a Heisenberg grant to one of its researchers plicants has long become These days there are fewer physicists a problem of the past. – even the Heisenberg Programme has been affected by the much-discussed What was originally meant transition from the century of physics to alleviate a temporary to the century of biology. Proposals in job bottleneck has be- 8 the life sciences, including biology and come a key instrument for medicine, now outnumber applications promoting young research- from natural scientists, among whom ers, and one that is still in physicists have actually become a mi- a class of its own. Funding nority. And scholars in the humanities for young researchers, such and social sciences haven’t been scared as that offered by the Max off by the physicist-inspired title. They Planck Society or the Helm- © photocase

have been responsible for about one- holtz Association, is usually tied to a cer- third of all proposals submitted during tain institution. “What makes this typi- the programme’s fi rst 30 years. cal of the DFG”, explains Robert Paul Königs, “is that it’s not a structural pro- Outstanding track record gramme but rather an individual grant A look at the post-fellowship careers that allows young people to devote of Heisenberg alumni reveals the pro- themselves to their research, free from gramme’s outstanding track record. No institutional and structural constraints.” fewer than 28 of them have been hon- And he points out yet another unique oured with Germany’s most important feature. While it has become fashion- and highly endowed research award, able to promote the ability of young re- Heisenberg

A Playful Genius

Werner Heisenberg revolutionised physics © AIP Emilio Segre Visual Archives, Collection Early on Werner Heisenberg displayed which he received the Nobel Prize in two qualities that would define his 1932. Along with Niels Bohr, Max Born 9 bright career: talent and ambition. His und Pascual Jordan, he developed the secondary-school teachers already no- uncertainty principle, which defies the ticed the “playful ease” with which he laws of classical physics. made his “outstanding achievements”. At the beginning of the Nazi regime the He was also “quite confident” and ea- renowned physicist spoke out against ger to impress. Later on, as a professor, the expulsion of Jewish scientists – with Heisenberg played table tennis and little success. He was attacked when he wanted to be the best there as well – refused to sign a declaration of loyalty just like in science and in chess. to Hitler. In 1937 proponents of “Ary- Nobel Prize in record time an physics” turned against him and his Born in Würzburg in 1901 to an equally quantum physics, which they deemed ambitious father – the son of a crafts- infiltrated by Jews. Heisenberg remained man who managed to become a pro- in Germany, despite generous offers fessor of Greek – Heisenberg discovered from American universities. during his Munich schooldays the joy of During World War II he led the uranium “playing around between mathematics project of Germany’s Army Ordnance and direct experience”. He taught him- Office. Its purpose was to investigate self mathematics as a way to describe possible applications of nuclear fission. the laws of physics. From 1920 on he In 1942 he became the director of the studied physics in record time. Only one Kaiser Wilhelm Institute for Physics in year after he submitted his doctoral the- Berlin-, which was supposed to of the he founded sis “On the Stability and Turbulence of continue the large-scale experiments. an Institute of Physics in Göttingen and Fluid Flow”, he habilitated in Göttingen Shortly before the end of the war, the Al- served as its director from 1946 to 1958. with Max Born, whose assistant he had lied forces arrested Heisenberg and oth- After that he headed the Max Planck In- become. In 1927, at the age of 26, He- er nuclear researchers and took them to stitute of Physics in Munich until 1970. isenberg was called to Leipzig as Profes- the United Kingdom. Because of his ca- At the head of the Deutsche Forschung- sor of Theoretical Physics. reer during the Third Reich, Heisenberg srat, a predecessor to the DFG, Heisen- Thanks to this young researcher, the was not uncontroversial after the war. berg helped shape from Saxonian university became connected Committed to promoting 1949 to 1951. As the first president of to the centres of modern nuclear phys- young researchers the re-established Alexander von Hum- ics: Copenhagen, Cambridge and Göt- boldt Foundation between 1953 and tingen. An inspiring teacher, he also at- His student Carl Friedrich von Weizsäck- 1975 he was especially committed to tracted highly gifted students, among er said later about Heisenberg: “He was promoting young researchers. them Carl Friedrich von Weizsäcker a brilliant scientist, then an artist, and, and the future “father of the hydrogen owing to a sense of obligation, a homo Heisenberg married Elisabeth Schu- bomb”, Edward Teller. Together with politicus.” Especially in post-war Germa- macher in 1937 and had seven children. them Heisenberg laid the foundations ny, Heisenberg’s activities were focused He died in Munich in 1976. for solid-state quantum mechanics, for on research policy. Under the umbrella Magdalena Schaeffer Portrait

HeisenbergEin großes Stück Fellowship Freiheit Made Nobel Prize Possible

Roland Strausz discovery. Nowadays such high magnet- Klaus von Klitzing ic fi elds can be generated with super- ist erster Heisenberg-Professor in den conducting coils, which are available in Wirtschaftswissenschaftenwas one of the fi rst fellows many laboratories. “Freedom is the most important aspect of the fellowship,” the scientist says, and he mentions anoth- er benefi t that many young researchers long for – “responsibility”. 10 Klaus von Klitzing, born in 1943 in the Province of Posen (today ), stud- ied physics at the Technical University of Braunschweig and graduated in 1969.

© Max-Planck-Gesellschaft Then he switched to the Julius Maximil- ian University in Würzburg, where he earned his doctorate in 1972. Between 1975 and 1978 he did research at the Clarendon Laboratory in Oxford, among other places. When he applied for the Heisenberg fellowship in 1978 he had already ha- bilitated. The same year he made his groundbreaking discovery he was of- fered a professorship in solid state phys- ics by the Technical University of Munich. In January of 1985, the year he received the Nobel Prize, Klaus von Klitzing went to Stuttgart to head one of the depart- ments at the Max Planck Institute for Sol- id State Research, where he still works. His address: Heisenbergstraße 1, and then down the Von-Klitzing-Pfad.

Physics for the general public

In the night before 5 February 1980, Klitzing was awarded the Nobel Prize for “Scientifi c drive and idealism” steered Klaus von Klitzing made the crucial Physics. A few years earlier he had been Klaus von Klitzing toward a career in breakthrough: he discovered the quan- one of the fi rst Heisenberg fellows. research. He is still committed to basic tum Hall effect. The physicist realised research and actively tries to generate “A Heisenberg fellowship makes a No- that the unit of electrical resistance enthusiasm and curiosity about phys- bel Prize possible,” would be a fair state- (Ohm) is precisely defi ned by two physi- ics, and to make his subject accessible cal constants – Planck’s constant h and ment, says the physicist. “Without the to the general public. Now there’s even the electron charge e – and is thus it- fellowship it would have been much an award named after this multi-award- self a physical constant. The von Klitz- harder to get into the best laboratories winning physicist. In 2005 the Carl von ing constant has since been a universal for my research.” At the time, Klaus von Ossietzky and standard for measuring resistance. It is Klitzing had to travel to a special Ger- the non-profi t EWE Foundation began used around the world to standardise man-French laboratory for generating to honour outstanding science educa- and calibrate resistors – for instance by high magnetic fi elds in Grenoble. There tors with an annual Klaus von Klitzing the Federal Physical and Technical In- he was able to make the measurements Prize. stitute in Germany. In 1985 Klaus von that ultimately led to his prizewinning Susanne Weiss Portrait

AufIntrigued Herz undby Research Nieren geprüft Management

Eva Brand Jürgendie Heisenberg-Professorin Mlynek erforscht callsgenetische for clear Krankheitszusammenhänge career paths

11 A litmus test for his professional future – that was what the Heisenberg fellowship meant, says Professor Jürgen Mlynek. The President of the Helmholtz Associ- ation of German Research Centres de- cided back then that, should it not work out with the fellowship, he was no long- er going to pursue a career in science. “I actually had a plan B. I had a job lined up as a board assistant with a major cor- © Helmholtz-Gemeinschaft poration.” Plan B stayed in the drawer. Today the research manager is himself an active supporter of young scientists and academics. Jürgen Mlynek, born in Gronau an der of the DFG, which he had held since increase to about 100 over the next few Leine in 1951, studied physics at the 1996. Jürgen Mlynek led Humboldt to years. “We offer young researchers early Technical University of and at become one of the premier German uni- independence, excellent working condi- the École Polytechnique in Paris. In 1979 versities. Promoting young researchers tions and a tenure option,” says Mlynek. he did his doctorate in Hanover, then was especially important to him – under After three to four years and a positive spent one year at the IBM research lab his aegis Humboldt was the fi rst Ger- review of their scientifi c performance in San Jose, California. He gained his man university to announce “junior pro- by independent experts, researchers are habilitation in Hanover in 1984. “The fessorships”. As a university educator he eligible for tenure. This model has al- situation was ideal back then. I came helped supervise over 100 theses; ten of ready shown some success in persuad- back from the US, habilitated in Hano- his former students are professors today. ing young researchers at top institutions ver when I was only 33, and then imme- The physicist’s work has been recognised diately got the Heisenberg fellowship.” with many awards, including the DFG’s abroad to return to Germany, says the The physicist used his fellowship for a prestigious Leibniz Prize in 1992. president. little less than a year at the TU Hanover Head of the Jürgen Mlynek calls for clear career and then went to the ETH Zurich as an paths for young scientists and academ- assistant professor. In 1990 he was of- Since September 2005 Jürgen Mlynek ics. “I still think the habilitation model fered a Chair in Experimental Physics at has been the President of the Helmholtz is anachronistic and a competitive dis- the University of Constance, where he Association, which has since further in- advantage. Fortunately, over the last ten would research and teach for a whole creased individual funding for talented decade. But during this time he also be- young researchers. There are currently years, programmes such as the DFG’s gan to be intrigued by research manage- about 70 independent junior research Emmy Noether Programme, the Helm- ment. In September 2000 the scientist groups working under the umbrella of holtz Young Investigator Groups, and moved to Berlin to become the president the Helmholtz Association, each with “junior professorships” have done a lot of Humboldt University. Early in 2001 he annual funding of about 250,000 euros to move the system forward.” resigned from his post as Vice President over fi ve years. Their number is set to Doris Bünnagel Interview

A Model That Aims to Encourage

The Heisenberg professorship: Interview with Beate Scholz and Paul Heuermann

The first Heisenberg professorships ship achieves its desired effect: universi- But the Heisenberg professorship also have been approved. ties develop appropriate mechanisms for offers more flexibility in another respect. How has the response been? long-term career paths, and an aware- Researchers can first take advantage of Heuermann: Initially only the scientists ness for systematic HR planning and de- the fellowship, for example by doing themselves showed an interest. But now velopment is thus being created at Ger- research abroad. Then, for the Heisen- we also get many enquiries from univer- man universities. berg professorship, which has a long-

12 © Rühmekorf

There is no age limit term outlook, they can find a university sity departments and administrations. for Heisenberg professors. Why? which suits their own innovative field of We welcome this development because it means that this new funding instru- Scholz: We want to create flexible career research. That switch should occur no ment is successfully establishing itself. paths, enable diversity, make room for more than between 18 months and 2 We also get a broader range of subjects, different professional biographies, and years of having begun the fellowship. even though it’s harder for smaller sub- accommodate a wide range of research- This leaves sufficient time for research- jects with less financial and HR flexibil- er personalities. What counts are scien- ers to prove themselves before the evalu- ity to decide on a specific research strat- tific quality and a person’s track record ation. egy. in relation to their age. Flexibility is also Who has applied so far? important when it comes to dual career Scholz: What I consider important is that couples in academia. If you want to at- Heuermann: I want to point out two the universities focus more strongly on aspects of research strategy when they tract top-level researchers, you increas- groups in particular: Heisenberg fellows make their HR decisions. That’s also be- ingly have to offer attractive professional who take advantage of the possibility to coming apparent with the Heisenberg opportunities to their often equally qual- switch, and leaders of Emmy Noether In- professorship and the universities’ grow- ified partners – assuming, of course, they dependent Junior Research Groups. have the right track record. This aspect is ing interest in it. It seems they’ve now Scholz: Our idea is to use the DFG fund- begun to actively recruit outstanding re- becoming more and more important for ing chain to develop a model for a type searchers and are trying to retain them. our international competitiveness. of tenure track that is similar to the In this way the Heisenberg professor- Heuermann: Getting rid of the age limit American tenure-track system. In that means, most of all, that the DFG’s Head Office must shift from using merely for- mal criteria to a more quality-oriented decision, based on the review and sci- entific evaluation of a researcher’s track record.

Beate Scholz is a Programme Director in the DFG Research Careers Division. Paul Heuermann is responsible for the DFG’s Heisenberg Programme and advises applicants regarding procedural issues (Telephone: +49 228 885 2398, Email: [email protected]). InformationInterview

The Heisenberg Professorship

The Heisenberg professorship is an extension to the Heisenberg Pro- gramme. Like the fellowship, it sense the Emmy Noether Programme So the DFG expects prepares researchers for leadership is the equivalent of an assistant profes- the university positions. It offers candidates who sorship. Junior research group leader- to make a clear commitment? prove themselves the reliable pros- ship does not yet result in a permanent Scholz: Exactly. This is based on an idea pect of a professorship. position. The Heisenberg professorship similar to the Max Planck Society’s Har- is thus the counterpart to the associate nack Priniciple. That is, pick an excep- Young researchers find a universi- ty where they can establish a new area of research with their profes- sorship. The host institution must 13 demonstrate to the DFG that the establishment of the Heisenberg professorship will set a new re- search priority.

In the DFG review process research- ers compete for a Heisenberg pro- tional scientist and structurally develop a fessorship. Only criteria of scien- professorship. In other words, research- new core research area around that per- tific excellence apply here. Around ers can use the consecutive links of the son. Because the foremost purpose of the same time, the host institution funding chain to attain qualification at the Heisenberg professorship is really to likewise examines candidates for the highest level, because at each step promote excellent individuals. the newly created professorship they undergo a strict scientific review. In through its appointment proce- addition to that, it’s important to speed Heuermann: That’s why universities can’t dure. If the university selects the up the appointment process for profes- apply. However, university management does play a key role in this process. candidate approved by the DFG, sors. In a competitive global environment that person initially takes up a He- we cannot and should not keep our top Scholz: An implicit goal of this funding candidates waiting too long. programme is also to cultivate a mindset isenberg professorship. at universities that they should actively Heuermann: Incidentally, our experienc- After five years – following suc- look all over the world for great minds es so far show that the period between cessful evaluation by the DFG and that are of interest because of their in- the university – this position con- the DFG decision and the beginning of novative research. At the same time, the the Heisenberg professorship is only six Heisenberg professorship is a model that verts into a tenured professorship. months on average. This might be in part is meant to encourage a tenure-track The Heisenberg professorship, because some universities, to the extent mentality in Germany. We have to make like the Heisenberg fellowship, that state regulations allow it, shorten sure that the best scientists and academ- is aimed at scientists and schol- the appointment process by including ics can look forward to a secure career ars who have attained eligibility anonymised DFG reviews. It also helps if we want to strengthen Germany as a speed up the process when university research location. for professorship via the Emmy management is actively involved from Noether Programme, DFG-funded the outset – because for the structure to Interview: Uschi Heidel project staff positions, research in evolve as intended, a professorship may the private sector, or mid-level aca- have to be renamed or cut from another demic positions, as well as “junior department. But the idea is definitely not professors”, habilitated academ- to simply replace or duplicate an existing ics, returning German expatriates, professorship. and foreign researchers. Portrait

EinA Whole großes Lot Stück of Freedom Freiheit

Roland Strausz istis the erster fi rst Heisenberg-Professor Heisenberg professor in den Wirtschaftswissenschaftenof economics

Economist Roland Strausz believes that 14 mining is an apt metaphor for scholarly research: material is located, then ex- tracted, hauled to the surface, sorted, processed, and marketed. The 36-year- old, who speaks eagerly and passion- ately about his profession, feels very much at home in the “pits”, because his academic ambition fi nds its greatest satisfaction in basic research. His pros- pecting work in the tunnels of scholar- ship – and this is where his mining anal- ogy ends – has not gone unnoticed. The © Schors business paper Handelsblatt selected him in 2006 as one of the three strong- est researchers under 40.

Inspired by everyday experiences apply them, Roland Strausz collabo- the Humboldt University in Berlin. He This may have been due to his impres- rates with other researchers such as wants to expand his work on informa- sive list of publications, but also be- his former teacher, Berlin economist tion economics and apply it to new cause Roland Strausz often leaves the Helmut Bester. Their focus is on infor- problems – perhaps the issue of regu- realm of abstract modelling to ask sur- mation asymmetry between market lation for telecommunications or ener- prising real-world science questions. partners. Modelling, analysing and ul- gy markets. But he lowers any expecta- Thus he might investigate the role that timately forecasting this relationship is tions that his fi ndings will be of use to durability plays in MP3 players for their the purpose of this booming branch policymakers any time soon; more work success in the market; or why large en- of research. Several Nobel Prizes have needs to be done fi rst to develop uni- terprises can get bogged down in their gone to information economists in re- versally valid models. internal communications; or whether a cent years. discounter should be required by law to Creating his own environment Roland Strausz’s preoccupation with stock minimum quantities of any bar- information economics goes back to Roland Strausz enjoys living in Ber- gain merchandise. Strausz is inspired by his student days in Tilburg, the Neth- lin with his family. His transfer from his own everyday experiences: “Should erlands. In 1995 he followed Helmut the Free University’s idyllic Zehlendorf I buy another one of these wonder- Bester, himself a Heisenberg fellow in campus to the Humboldt University in ful espresso makers that are so easy to the 1980s, to the Free University of bustling downtown Berlin was only a use and make such great coffee, even Berlin, where he habilitated in 2005. job move. He looks forward to his new though the last one broke after a short In 2006 he also received a Heisenberg assignment. “The Heisenberg profes- time?” In other words, is quality not fellowship. “That gave me a whole lot sorship”, says the economist, “allows necessarily the same as durability? of freedom for my research,” says the me to create my own environment and These types of questions can be ana- Dutchman with a charming accent. In gives me even more opportunities to lysed with the tools of information the 2007/2008 winter semester Strausz further my research.” economics. In order to advance and took up a Heisenberg professorship at Horst Willi Schors Portrait

AufGetting Herz to und the Nieren Heart ofgeprüft Kidney Failure

as a junior doctor, Eva Brand went to Paris to investigate the genetics of high blood pressure, or hypertension. She was joined Eva Brand in the French capital by her future hus- band, who did research on the genetic dieuses Heisenberg-Professorin her Heisenberg professorship erforscht causes of heart attacks. They got married genetischeto investigate Krankheitszusammenhänge the genetic causes of disease in Paris. After a period of job-related sep- aration in Ulm and Berlin, the couple and their four-year-old daughter now live in Münster. Eva Brand began working there as a chief consultant and deputy medical director. “It was a big coincidence that we both found suitable jobs in the same 15 city,” says Brand. The Heisenberg Pro- gramme allowed her to stay in Münster. Her research focuses on the relationship between vascular calcifi cation and kid- ney failure. The background: more than six million people in Germany are affect- ed by various stages of kidney disease, sometimes without knowing it. But only about 80,000 reach the last stage of the illness. They need blood dialysis several times a week because their kidneys have stopped functioning. “The vast majority of those who are in one of the preliminary stages die prior to that, because the risk of suffering or dying from a heart attack or stroke is up to twenty times higher in

© Universität Münster these patients than in healthy people,” explains Eva Brand.

Eva Brand doesn’t like to talk about her by the German Ministry of Education Prevention and therapy as research successes. Born in Marburg in 1966, the and Research with more than one million objectives physician prefers to let achievements euros. In addition she heads the German With her team at the University of Mün- and results speak for themselves: in Oc- branch of a study on ster, the researcher tries to identify the tober 2006 the DFG made her the fi rst the early identifi cation of family mem- genetic factors that accelerate calcifi ca- female Heisenberg professor, and within bers who are genetically at risk of high tion in patients with kidney problems and six months the University of Münster con- blood pressure and its corollaries, heart ultimately cause renal failure and cardio- verted her position into a tenured full pro- attack and stroke. vascular incidents. It sounds simple, but fessorship – a commitment that universi- it’s complicated. The scientist has to un- Heisenberg Programme allowed ties usually don’t make until much later. cover both the interplay between genes choice of location At the same time, the kidney specialist and environment, and the relationships obtained a junior professorship, spon- Eva Brand was born into a family of medi- between the genes themselves. “It’s a sored by the Donors’ Association for cal doctors. Early on she realised her pen- challenge to my inquiring mind,” says the Promotion of Sciences and Humani- chant for research. “I’ve always wondered Eva Brand. Her objective is to develop concepts for prevention and therapy – in ties in Germany, and is involved in two why there’s an accumulation of heart at- all her research, the focus is always on major research projects. Together with tacks or high blood pressure in certain the patient. “I like to help people, and colleagues she is building a register of families, even though the family mem- I’m happy to see them do better.” 5,400 patients with coronary heart and bers don’t have the same lifestyle.” Fol- chronic kidney disease, which is funded lowing her doctorate and her fi rst years Katja Spross Interview

The Heisenberg Programme Three Questions for turns 30. What’s your assessment?

Annette Schavan The Heisenberg Programme was initial- Federal Minister of Education ly intended to be a temporary instru- and Research, Germany ment to keep excellent young research- ers engaged in German academia prior to their fi rst professorial appointment. Its success was so convincing that the programme ultimately became a per- manent institution that facilitates the transition from training phase to pro-

© Presse- und Informationsamt der Bundesregierung fessorial career. The Heisenberg Programme has defi - nitely helped us retain many highly qualifi ed young researchers, across vir- tually all subjects, who would other- wise have gone abroad or into the pri- vate sector. 16

E. Jürgen Zöllner The Heisenberg Programme is, without Senator of Education, a doubt, one of the great success sto- Science and Research, Berlin ries. And at the same time, it is one of the chief accomplishments of the DFG to have created a tool with this programme for promoting excellent young research- ers, and for helping the somewhat less responsive university system meet its re- sponsibility toward the next generation of scientists and academics. Its very suc- cess is a compelling reason to continue © Senatsverwaltung für Bildung, Wissenschaft und Forschung, Berlin the Heisenberg Programme.

Elmar Weiler The Heisenberg Programme is the most Rector, Ruhr University brilliant programme for supporting top- Bochum level young researchers in Germany – a true success story. Numerous Heisenberg fellows have been offered professorships early in their careers. This shows that the © Pressestelle der Ruhr Universität Bochum programme has done a good job of pick- ing the best. Being accepted into the programme is a distinction of the fi rst order and a seal of quality that plays an important role in appointment procedures. The He- isenberg Programme even enjoys an ex- cellent reputation on the international stage. Interview

To what extent can the What are the chances of tenure-track models Heisenberg professorship serve as a becoming an integral part of HR development model for professorial careers? at German universities?

The Heisenberg professorship is certainly While I don’t envision tenure track as the rule, I do consider it, in conjunc- a good tool for helping individuals enter tion with a review provision, as an important instrument of HR policy in a professorial career. But I believe the best German universities. We have a lot of catching up to do in this area: only model is still the regular process through about 10% of all “junior professorships” were announced with a tenure which universities appoint professors, track. without transitional funding from a third As a generation of German university professors is about to retire, we ex- party. pect many openings in the next few years. To the extent that their budg- ets permit, universities could fi ll some of these jobs before they become available, in the form of parallel “junior professorships” with tenure-track approval. Those who prove themselves will then be able to take over. Sev- eral universities have developed such concepts under the Excellence Initia- tive. The funds recently approved under the Higher Education Pact 2020 could also be put to good use here. Such a concept would create a great opportunity for outstanding young researchers to grow into the system. But in addition to that, universities still need enough room to be able to appoint proven top-level researchers, both domestic and international, to permanent positions. 17

I wouldn’t call it a model, because some The tenure-track option is indispensable. My terms as Minister of Research German states have already introduced a in the Rhineland-Palatinate as well as here in Berlin demonstrate that I am tenure track, for example for “junior pro- very serious about this issue. All universities, which for good reasons are fessors” – and that is a similar approach. highly autonomous in their decisions, are well advised to take advantage of In other words, the basic idea behind the this instrument in a responsible way. But this also entails that there can be Heisenberg professorship has been adopt- no automatism. Instead, researchers should be offered a permanent position ed by the regular system. Therefore, I don’t after a successful evaluation, as is the case in the Heisenberg Programme. see the Heisenberg professorship as a new My impression is that strong university and department leaders do recognise element, but certainly as a welcome addi- the opportunities inherent in the tenure track. To retain top people they have tion to the programme. Its distinction is def- to offer them not only effective working conditions but also life and career initely a very high standard of quality, which prospects. is guaranteed by the independence of the DFG and strict evaluation.

This professorship is defi nitely a model for I consider this development to be extremely important and promising. Talk- the future. In June 2007, I already wrapped ing with German scientists based in the United States, I quickly realised that up the fi rst Heisenberg professorship at our the tenure track tops the wish list of young researchers considering a return. university with a short procedure, which At the Ruhr University we pursue tenure-track models and indeed plan to led to the appointment of this colleague as expand them. Professor for Mechanical Engineering. This While junior professorships are controversial at many universities, our experi- shows how universities can retain young ence with them has been very good. It is clear that “junior professors” must researchers in subject areas where private have the same rights as professors. In Bochum several “junior professors” businesses make very tempting offers. have already been appointed to associate and full professorships. This gives our university an edge, because it signifi cantly increases our chances of at- tracting and retaining top-level researchers for the long term. A case in point: we were able to leverage a tenure-track professorship to retain a very success- ful colleague – an IT security specialist who was offered two other professor- ships, including one abroad.

Interviews: Uschi Heidel Portrait

ClimateEin großes Archive Stück at Freiheit the Bottom of the Sea

RolandHildegard Strausz Westphal istdelves erster deep Heisenberg-Professor in den Wirtschaftswissenschafteninto the history of the Earth © Hanebuth

18 © privat

Bahamas, Tahiti, Minorca – for Hilde- gard Westphal these aren’t vacation spots but regions where she investi- gates the composition of limestone at the bottom of the sea. This 39-year-old geologist and Heisenberg fellow spe- cialises in paleoclimate research: she examines climate variations throughout climate-model calculations. Limestone the history of the Earth. features prominently here, because it is After her secondary education in Tübin- formed by organisms and is therefore Rooted in German academia gen, Hildegard Westphal studied Rus- a kind of climate record. For example, Hildegard Westphal has received nu- sian and theatre, wanting to “do some- shallow-water corals in limestone point merous awards for her research. In thing else than the rest of the family.” to tropical water , where- 2004 she was presented with the Albert Her parents are both geologists, as as other fossils are indicators of cold Maucher Prize, which the DFG confers are her grandfather, her uncle and her water. on outstanding young geoscientists. cousin. After one year at the Free Uni- This was also the year in which she ob- versity of Berlin she had gained enough New insights off the coast of Mau- tained her habilitation. Since 2005 she distance, and studied geology after all, ritania has been a Heisenberg fellow, which al- in Tübingen, of all places, where her But it’s not the alone that lows her “the freedom to combine fam- father was a professor. “Tübingen had determines whether corals thrive. In Jan- ily and good research”. one of the best and biggest depart- uary 2007 Hildegard Westphal collected ments in Germany,” she says, explain- samples from the sea fl oor off the coast The scientist is now with the Univer- ing her homecoming. of Mauritania. While the water is tropi- sity of , where her husband, a cally warm there, it is so rich in nutri- physicist, has been appointed professor. After one year abroad in Brisbane, Aus- ents that corals won’t grow; they need The couple turned down an attractive tralia, she did her doctorate at the Re- a low-nutrient environment. “If this offer from the UK. “It’s relatively easy search Center for Marine Geosciences fl oor sample were a geological record, it to get a good job abroad. As a geolo- (GEOMAR) at the University of . could easily be associated with cold wa- gist, it’s stressful to stay in Germany – Then she researched at the University ter, which would be a false conclusion. so many positions are being cut,” says of Miami. In 1999 she went to Hano- Probably high-nutrient systems were Westphal. ver, and later to Erlangen, determined much more common in the Earth’s his- to make a scientifi c career for herself The reason she keeps trying nonetheless tory than they are today, which means in Germany. has to do with her roots and a certain that many deposits have accumulated fi ghting spirit. “I grew up in German “We’re currently experiencing how eco- not in cold water but in nutrient-rich academia and feel at home here. As a systems react and how rapidly climate warm water, and that has been misin- member of the Young Academy I try to change happens. That inspires me to terpreted,” explains the privatdozent. actively infl uence research policy.” new ideas,” says Westphal. She investi- With her team she now wants to ana- gates the facts that provide the basis for lyse these high-nutrient systems. Katja Spross Portrait

AufBridge Herz to unda Career Nieren in geprüftGermany

Christof Rapp believesEva Brand in the relevance dieof ancient Heisenberg-Professorin philosophy erforscht genetischeto today’s discourse Krankheitszusammenhänge

19

Inspirational teachers of Latin, Greek and Hebrew at the grammar school in Rottweil, Germany, were the reason why 20-year-old Christof Rapp didn’t have to think twice about what he wanted to study at university: philosophy, Ancient Greek and logic were his obvious choic- es. “As early as in the tenth grade we © Schors read texts by Greek philosophers that were exciting,” he remembers. Award- ed a prize for an essay about ancient philosophy as well as a scholarship, habilitation, turned out to be a decisive Planck Institute for the History of Sci- Christof Rapp studied at Tübingen and year for Christof Rapp. He taught in ence, all based in Berlin. Fifty research- Munich, beginning in 1984. He had no Berkeley, wrestled a bit with the reality ers collaborate on 16 projects. Rapp career plans. It was all about his pas- of German academia, fl irted with going sees it as an interface between ancient sion for the subject, and failure was an abroad for good. Then, somewhat to philosophy and current intellectual option. “I get one free round,” was his his surprise, he was approved for a He- challenges. “It’s not about celebrating adventurous attitude. isenberg fellowship. “I had almost for- ancient philosophy in the humanistic gotten I’d applied. The fellowship for sense as an unsurpassable apex,” says Between chairs me was the bridge to a career in Ger- the specialist. Instead he wants His university experience was mixed: many,” says the 43-year-old academic to uncover the argumentative potential at times the young man was overcome and family man today. of ancient philosophy for today’s de- by a sense of being caught between bates – and analyse the repercussions chairs. Can philosophy actually be a It was a bridge he crossed with determi- of these insights on our understanding profession? nation. In 2001 he accepted a call to the of ancient philosophy. chair of ancient and modern philosophy In 1993, after he obtained his doctor- from the Humboldt University in Berlin, Appealing unity of lifestyle and pro- ate in Munich, he received an offer from and later he became the head of its phi- fession Tübingen professor Otfried Höffe, who losophy department. He chaired the So- Aristotle believed that true happiness was looking for a specialist in ancient ciety for Ancient Philosophy and served can only be attained by philosophers. philosophy to complement his team. as a DFG review board member. Since “That was the fi rst time it occurred to Does Christof Rapp subscribe to this 2005 Christof Rapp has been Deputy me that I could actually become a pro- view? He argues that the unity of life- Speaker of the Collaborative Research fessor,” remembers Rapp, who at the style and profession seen by Aristotle Centre “Transformations of Antiquity”. time had already accumulated an im- has long been a thing of the past. “That pressive list of publications. He did in- This interdisciplinary project brings to- said, I’m not ashamed to admit that the deed become a professor, at least as a gether ten cultural studies fi elds from classical philosopher’s way of life does substitute, in Basel and Berkeley. The the Humboldt University, two subjects hold a certain appeal for me.” year 2000, in which he completed his from the Free University, and the Max Horst Willi Schors Europe

Making Europe Competitive

Dependable careers strengthen young researchers and universities

“The Heisenberg professorship is be- Kai Simons would there- 20 ing perceived very positively across Eu- fore like to see his pres- rope because this programme is a sig- tigious institution adopt nal against the fragmentation of the its own graduated mod- research community,” says Dieter Im- el in order to pave ca- boden, President of the Swiss National reer paths for excellent Science Foundation (SNSF). He worries young scientists. about the nascent European Research He expects new op- Area being dissected by the numerous portunities for up-and- programmes of national funding or- coming researchers to ganisations and individual universities. emerge thanks to the “By promoting academic careers inde- new European Research pendently from local circumstances, the Council (ERC): “Europe- DFG takes a different approach. This an universities will have gives funding recipients more flexibility to create transparent within the European job market,” says career structures if they Imboden, who is also Vice President of want researchers with the European Heads of Research Coun- handsome ERC grants cils (EUROHORCs). to come to them – and Kai Simons too looks at the European that will make Europe level when it comes to the promotion attractive worldwide.” of young talent. “The clarity of the American-style career system contin- No copy of the US system tract excellent candidates, and conse- ues to give the US an edge. Young re- Calls for a structured promotion of quently they offer them an appropri- searchers from India or China under- young researchers in Europe are not ate status with full integration into the stand America’s pipeline for excellence, about copying US models. In 2000 the institution.” The benefits are obvious: but they’re mystified by the way careers Swiss National Science Foundation in- these young academics bring funding evolve in Europe.” A molecular biolo- troduced SNSF professorships. While and assume the rights and responsibili- gist with an international track record, SNSF professors are not guaranteed ties of assistant professors. Thus they Simons headed the Max Planck Insti- continued employment by their univer- strengthen the profile of their univer- tute of Molecular in Dres- sity after the five-year funding period sity and the competition between uni- den for a few years, where he and his ends, Dieter Imboden points to a suc- versities. Imboden is convinced: “Pro- colleagues developed the “ cessful record. “After five years, 80 per- grammes like Heisenberg and SNSF Model”. Flat hierarchies, independent cent of SNSF professors got permanent professorships help universities find the research groups, and directors who positions, either at their own or at an- best people.” forego having their own departments, other university. During this period they using the funds instead to create 20 were able to show their strengths and Universities make a commitment junior research groups – all of this at- often made themselves indispensable.” So, in the Netherlands, too, depend- tracts scientists from around the world. The foundation president believes that able career paths for junior research- However, the MPI cannot offer junior the facts are persuasive: “Universities ers have been under discussion since positions with a tenure-track option. recognise that SNSF professorships at- the late 1990s. In 2002, the Nether- Europe © Wiedenroth

traditional process,” says the research manager. Even researchers with a per- 21 manent position benefit from the Vici label – it allows them to better position themselves within their university and create jobs that often can’t be funded from the regular budget. Meanwhile the NWO’s three-step fund- ing model has been evaluated across the country, and the positive results provide a good basis for negotiations on the fu- ture of the programme. Anko Wiegel looks ahead: “The Vici volume needs to increase so we can effectively advance the careers of young researchers. Long- term success comes from a combination of all three funding stages.”

Isabell Lisberg-Haag

lands Organisation for Scientific Re- their doctorate, regardless of whether search (NWO) introduced a three- or not they currently hold a permanent step programme called “Veni, vidi, job. This model has been well received. vici”, which accompanies researchers From 2002 to 2006, a total of 139 Vici throughout their careers. Following positions were created; more than half Julius Caesar’s motto “I came, I saw, of them went to young professors who Further information: I conquered”, NWO funding begins had already been appointed. http://www.snf.ch/E shortly after the doctorate (Veni), sup- http://www.nwo.nl ports postdocs as they lead their own Vici creates many jobs http://erc.europa.eu/index.cfm junior research groups (Vidi), and sub- “Each new Vici position creates three to sidises young professors and those on four additional jobs because the money the path to professorship (Vici). “At is used to establish research groups,” the beginning of Vici funding, the par- says Wiegel. About 800 young re- ticipating university commits to hiring searchers have applied for the Vici pro- that researcher. It also outlines a career gramme so far; about 18% have been path,” explains Anko Wiegel from the accepted. “Being a Vici professor is a NWO. These “senior researchers” may seal of quality in the Netherlands. At be funded with up to 1.25 million eu- this point it may often carry more pres- ros for 8 to 15 years after they earn tige than an appointment through the International

Career Boost and Academic Freedom

“Heisenbergers” experience periods abroad as great opportunities

“The Heisenberg fellowship came at excellent working conditions, flat hier- Former “Heisenberger” Michael Kohl- 22 the perfect time for me, and it couldn’t archies, and opportunities to make in- hase is now Professor of Computer Sci- have gone better from a career point of formal contacts with other researchers, ence at the Jacobs University in Bremen. view,” says Michael Stumvoll. In 2002 especially at American elite universi- His stay at the renowned Carnegie Mel- this medical researcher, equipped with ties. “Open, pleasant, uncomplicated” lon University (CMU) was “absolutely a fellowship, transferred from the Uni- is how mathematician Gitta Kutyniok central” to his academic career. He al- versity of Tübingen to the National In- experiences the atmosphere at Prince- so believes that having US credentials stitutes of Health, Metabolism and ton University. “Big budgets and low makes it much easier to gain access to Nutrition Branch, in Phoenix, Arizona. administrative costs” noticed physicist leading American colleagues. Thanks Shortly after he returned from the US Otto Dopfer in Basel. to his connections with CMU, where he he was offered a full professorship at

the University of Leipzig. Michael Stumvoll, who had previously done research in California and New Jersey, thinks back almost wistfully to the extraordinary academic freedoms he enjoyed in Arizona: “No lectures, let alone night shifts, emergency room duty, and whatever else doctors usu- ally have on their plate.” As a fellow abroad he felt a bit like a “private re- searcher” and was able to explore sci- entific side roads without having to produce findings that are immediately useful. Michael Stumvoll: “I also took the liberty of reading books about my research topics in a wider sense, know- ing they wouldn’t end up in a proposal or a paper. I think I’ll be drawing on this for the rest of my career.” Career boost, academic freedom, in- spiring contacts, expansion of inter- Encouragement is still an Adjunct Associate Professor, national networks – these are ben- and practical support Kohlhase was appointed full professor efits that Heisenberg fellows mention Fellows are specifically encouraged to in 2003 at age 39. frequently when they talk about their venture across borders and they re- Occasionally positive experiences time abroad. They also often refer to ceive practical support to do so: travel abroad draw researchers permanently expense reimbursements, expatriation away from Germany. Cologne biolo- allowances and, for extended periods gist Angelika Stollewerk, for example, abroad, relocation allowances. spent her Heisenberg years in Cam- bridge, where she initiated research International © privat

Gitta Kutyniok projects and was invited to give lec- lowship while I was abroad. It was my Mathematician Gitta Kutyniok, who tures. She still raves about the modern only chance to survive in academia and habilitated in 2006 at the University 23 equipment in the laboratories. In sum- to get appointed to a university in Ger- of Gießen, went to Princeton in April mer 2007 the scientist left the Universi- many during my fellowship.” 2007, then in October to the US West ty of Mainz, following a call to become Coast, to . “At both senior lecturer at the University of Lon- Inspiring exchange universities I can collaborate with lead- don’s Queen Mary College. Angeli- Japanologist Kai Vogelsang is still ing researchers in my field on highly ka Stollewerk: “I think my experience abroad and full of praise for his ex- topical projects,” she says. abroad in Cambridge was a big plus for cellent working conditions. Libraries In addition, Gitta Kutyniok is able to the appointments committee.” in Kyoto are much better stocked for expand her international contacts by his subject and more accessible than giving guest lectures, for example at any German state library. “I can really Harvard and Duke, which she believes find everything I need for my research is the only path to participating in in- here.” The informal exchange with his ternational research projects, let alone colleagues in Kyoto is a great inspira- initiating them. And she is convinced

© Sybille Merbitz tion for him: “In Germany I’ve found that this will at some point also benefit that the people in the department take her own junior associates: “Once I’m a little notice of their colleagues’ re- professor with my own working group, search, whereas over here I’ve drawn a these contacts will enable the best of lot of inspiration from many conversa- my assistants to go abroad for highly tions with others.” He considers these rewarding research visits.” new contacts as a great enrichment of his scholarship. Unencumbered by ad- Horst Willi Schors ministrative tasks, he has ample free- dom to conduct his research. A similar experience is that of agron- omist Jörn Bennewitz from Kiel, who has been working at the Department of Animal and Aquacultural Sciences in

Kai Vogelsang Ås, Norway. “At the German university I had substantial ongoing commitments such as teaching, advising students and But many others are pulled in the op- doctoral researchers, writing propos- posite direction. Physicist Otto Dopfer, als. Here I’m mostly excused from that today a professor at the Berlin Institute and thus able to pursue my research.” of Technology, spent many years doing Without international experience, Ben- research abroad, for example in Japan, newitz believes, the chances of secur- the Czech Republic and France, finally ing a leading position aren’t very good in Switzerland at the University of Basel in Germany. and in the United States at the Univer- sity of Georgia. “I applied for the fel- Close Up

Those Brief Moments of Understanding

Hélène Esnault und Eckart Viehweg pursue top-level mathematical research in Essen © Bünnagel

“A mathematician’s daily routine may German research award allowed the habilitations, and continues to involve 24 sometimes resemble that of a poet mathematics couple to invest a total of young researchers from all around the or philosopher. You sit, you draw lit- 1.55 million euros in prize money into world. tle symbols, stop, think, draw some their projects through 2008. “Sometimes we get more postgrads more, and stare. And at some point than undergrads, and there are al- you’re overcome by a powerful feel- Rare constellation so quite a few researchers who earn ing that this single idea might explain “A maths couple holding two chairs at their habilitation through us,” says everything. Those brief moments of un- the same university is a rarity in Germa- Eckart Viehweg. Hélène Esnault adds: derstanding are the climax of a math- ny, perhaps even unique,” says Eckart “A number of German mathematics ematician’s life – absolute joy.” The two Viehweg. “But it’s almost impossible to professors used to be in our working people who describe their work with coordinate a move elsewhere together, group. All of this was only possible be- so much enthusiasm are professors so we’ve never even applied. Instead cause of funding from the DFG – par- of mathematics at the University of we’ve tried to help make the young Duisburg-Essen: Hélène Esnault and ticipation in Priority Programmes, in a University of Duisburg-Essen into an Eckart Viehweg, who have been living Research Unit, and the Leibniz Prize.” internationally recognised centre for and working together for over 20 years. mathematics.” And these two former Hélène Esnault was born in 1953 in a So what exactly do they do? This is Heisenberg fellows have succeeded in blue-collar suburb of Paris. The daugh- something the researcher couple has doing just that – in large part by raising ter of a metalworker and a nurse, she a hard time explaining to lays. Just this DFG funding. Their working group on studied mathematics in the 1970s at much: they pursue “pure mathematics arithmetic geometry and numbers the- the École Normale Supérieure in Paris – basic research that is in no way ap- ory has produced many highly qualified and then did her doctorate at the Uni- plications-oriented”. Jointly, individually, mathematicians, with doctorates and versity of Paris VII. Following her ha- or with other mathematicians, they have authored seminal papers on algebraic geometry and advanced their field of re- search by providing important impulses.

The objects of their research are solution © Bünnagel sets of equations, or more precisely: zero sets of polynomials. A special focus of their work involves the classification of all possible zero sets, something like an attempt to bring order into the hierarchy of geometric objects. 2003 saw Hélène Esnault and Eckart Viehweg jointly honoured with the DFG’s Leibniz Prize in recognition of their work. This most highly endowed Close Up

bilitation in Paris in 1984, she moved Bonn. The couple from Essen are also ceived a Heisenberg fellowship the fol- to Germany, first as a visiting research- very active in the international arena, lowing year. “My academic future will 25 er, then as a Heisenberg fellow at the cultivating contacts with researchers probably be in Germany, but I do want Max Planck Institute for Mathematics in the US, Japan, Mexico, India, China to build a bridge to mathematical re- in Bonn. She returned to the Univer- and Vietnam, as well as in Europe. search in Vietnam. Who knows, maybe sity of Paris for a year before she ac- I’ll go back to Hanoi one day with my Hô-Hai Phùng, for example, hails from cepted the call to a full professorship family,” says the Vietnamese, who lives Vietnam. Born in 1970, he too is a He- of analytical geometry at the University in Essen with his wife and two sons. isenberg fellow today. Since 2003 this of Essen in 1990. Originally the French- young mathematician has been a mem- A reason to stay would be the high re- woman didn’t come to Germany for ber of the working group headed by gard his achievements have earned in mathematical reasons – she points to Hélène Esnault and Eckart Viehweg, Germany. In 2006 he was given the von her husband with a smile. who were able to use some of their Leib- Kaven Prize by the DFG for his outstand- Eckart Viehweg, born in Zwickau in niz Prize money to invite him to Essen. ing research. During the award presenta- 1948, studied mathematics in Heidel- tion at the annual conference of the Ger- berg, earned his doctorate in 1975, Building a bridge to Vietnam man Mathematical Society, Hô-Hai Phùng and habilitated in 1980 at the Univer- Hô-Hai Phùng’s special talent stood out pointed out that his mother had also re- sity of Mannheim. “In 1983 I was one even during his schooldays in Hanoi. A ceived a research grant in Germany. It’s of the first Heisenberg fellows, initially member of the Vietnamese team for possible, he said, that his two children will at the University of Paris VII, and then the Mathematical Olympiad, he was at some point be his family’s third genera- at the MPI for Mathematics in Bonn. only 17 and still at secondary school tion of bridge builders in German-Viet- After a year and a half I received an of- when he was invited to enrol at the Lo- namese academic relations. fer from the University of Essen,” says monosov University in Moscow, from Viehweg. Since 1984 he has held the where he graduated in 1992. After the The ultimate seal of approval chair of algebra there. One year later collapse of the Soviet Union he contin- Hélène Esnault and Eckart Viehweg Hélène Esnault took up her Heisenberg ued his studies in Munich, where he ob- hope that the DFG will continue the fellowship. “I may have been the first tained his doctorate at age 26. “When Heisenberg Programme over the long mathematician from another country I came to Munich I didn’t know a word term. “Without this programme we in the Heisenberg Programme, though of German. In the beginning I had a both wouldn’t be in Essen today,” says I’m sure there were others after me. very hard time adapting,” remembers Eckart Viehweg. Hélène Esnault adds: The Heisenberg Programme helps you Hô-Hai Phùng, whose mother is an as- “It’s one of the greatest funding pro- get settled in Germany.” trophysicist. grammes for young researchers – a jew- el in the crown of German academia. Recently a new Transregional Collabo- A chance meeting with Hélène Esnault Especially in theoretical subjects such rative Research Centre has been set up and Eckart Viehweg led to his invitation as mathematics the programme is at a in which these successful mathemati- to Essen, where Hô-Hai Phùng now col- very high level. It’s the ultimate seal of cians play leading roles and tackle ab- laborates with Esnault on a research approval for a mathematician.” stract mathematical problems, together project. In 2004 he habilitated at the with collaborators based in Mainz and University of Duisburg-Essen and re- Doris Bünnagel Facts & Figures

Confi dence in the Potential of Young Researchers

From the fi rst announcement to today

Since the Heisenberg Programme was natural sciences, 4 in the engineering shows that medical departments are fi rst announced it has funded 2,036 sciences, and 2 in the humanities (as successfully using this instrument for fellows. Moreover, since the Heisen- of October 2007). It appears that He- their structural development. Of the berg professorship was introduced in isenberg professorships are especial- Heisenberg professorships awarded 2006, a total of 21 men and 4 wom- ly popular in the area of clinical re- so far, 13 were applied for directly, en have become Heisenberg profes- search with its diffi cult framework for and 12 were converted from fellow- sors – 14 in the life sciences, 5 in the researchers. This is good news and ships.

26 “A Piece of Paradise” always a cause for concern. There is me- diocre research, and there is good and very abbreviated version of an article by former DFG President good research, but there is no research that Heinz Maier-Leibnitz, originally published in the couldn’t be much better. Another reason – Süddeutsche Zeitung on 14 January 1978 one that few people are aware of – is the crucial importance of outstanding work, of peak performance. These days German researchers have rea- all the good researchers. We believe it is Research consists of many small contri- son to be a bit proud of their governments a good thing to allow some of the best to butions. But again and again, major steps and their elected representatives, because a do whatever they consider most impor- forward are the results of solitary achieve- programme for young researchers is being tant and promising, unfettered by routine ments. Yet solitary achievements are rare. announced that is internationally unique – tasks. There is no attempt to tie them up There is certainly some truth to the ma- the Heisenberg Programme. One hundred in projects devised by others. There is no licious adage that only 5% of scientists suspicion they might indulge in activities and fi fty fellowships will be awarded each think for themselves (which is not to im- that serve no social purpose if they are left year to applicants who are young and dem- ply that other professions are any better). to decide their own work objectives. For a onstrate outstanding scientifi c and schol- Therefore we should be happy about any- researcher, this is a piece of paradise. And arly achievements. The idea is to enable thing that, like the Heisenberg Programme, for society, we are convinced, it is an op- them to be highly independent in their re- promotes great independence and expects portunity that extends far beyond the cir- search and teaching. much in return. cle of funding recipients. Why opportuni- What makes the programme so special ty? First of all we need to be concerned It is probably safe to say that our higher is the confi dence it places in young re- about research in Germany. There are sev- education environment is not conducive to searchers and free research, who stand for eral reasons for this. One is that research is serene, carefree work. Given this situation,

Diagramm 4 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0

1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Facts & Figures

120

100

80

60

40 Chart 1

Women Men 20 While female researchers were highly under-represented in the fi rst round, their share was 0

several times higher by 2006. 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006

27 the Heisenberg Programme is meant to ment, freedom, mutual infl uence, together- has engendered risks for the success of play multiple roles. First, it is geared to ba- ness, interest in applications – is exactly the programme. On the one hand it is un- by boomers, for whom there are especially what universities need most urgently right thinkable for us to extend fellowships to few opportunities to work in academia and now. The modest funds of the Heisenberg any applicants but the uncommonly gift- research because all the positions are being Programme aim to accomplish much. ed and young. The programme is neither taken by relatively young people. We felt intended nor suited to solve social prob- that fairness toward an otherwise disad- The Heisenberg Programme has been wel- lems that stem from the fact that many re- vantaged generation demands that we take comed overwhelmingly by the academic searchers whose temporary contracts ex- action here. Fellowships are awarded on community. Also in the political arena it pire now have to look for work outside of the basis of achievements that indicate fu- has mostly been well received. Thanks to academia. ture scientifi c importance. Fellows are giv- this, the programme has survived its jour- en full freedom of research and teaching. ney through the committees. Such a course On the other hand we must fear that too But the community in which they want to always lies between Scylla and Charybdis many, including especially the talent- work must be willing to accept them. – in our case, mostly between the desire ed young ones, turn away from the pro- to do something for exceptional young re- gramme because they aren’t very sure of This means they should not work in iso- searchers and research in general, and the their abilities and therefore choose paths lation; they should be part of a circle in tight fi nancial situation along with the re- that promise more security for the future. which they learn and which learns from quirement not to disadvantage others by Therefore we have to ask young research- them, so that ultimately everybody will im- giving preferential treatment to an elite. ers to trust the programme. The federal prove and cultivate a stronger sense of to- That is why the fi nancial endowment of government and the states, with active getherness. We also hope that their freedom the fellowships is relatively modest. More- support from many others, have created a will inspire them to develop interest in the over, fellowships are limited to fi ve years, programme that should be the envy of the application of scientifi c knowledge. But all at least for now, to make sure fellows have world. Let’s do what we can to make the of this – more research, fairness, achieve- an incentive to accept other positions. This best of it.

Charts 2 and 3 Natural sciences Humanities and social sciences 31% Life sciences 38% Engineering sciences Over the Heisenberg Programme’s fi rst 30 years, the natural 3% and life sciences took up the greatest share, followed by the 27% humanities. Engineering scientists were a small minority. Heisenberg- Programm

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