Supporting Early Careers at CRC 1382

Our Mission

CRC 1382 is dedicated to fostering talent among both basic and clinician scientists at all stages of their careers. Our commitment extends from the undergraduate level to postdoctoral research. We aim to provide an enriching research environment where personal growth and professional performance are at the forefront, shaping the future of gut-liver axis research.

CRC 1382’s Role in Career Support

CRC 1382 offers unique measures to assist early-career scientists. Regular seminars and retreats foster scientific discussion, knowledge transfer on administrative and financial issues, and long-term research strategy development.

In collaboration with RWTH Aachen University and the Faculty of Medicine, CRC 1382 contributes to creating a conducive environment for fostering scientific careers, supporting both basic researchers and clinician scientists.

Student Involvement

Bachelor and Master students have the opportunity to contribute to exciting projects embedded in the CRC 1382. Meanwhile, doctoral candidates delve into major aspects of these projects and are enrolled in the associated Graduate school ‘Gut-Liver Axis’.

Postdoctoral Support

Postdocs receive support in developing their own projects, with a focus on cultivating independent scientists. This mentorship extends throughout the professional journey, assisting researchers as they navigate the scientific landscape. Our ‘Rising Star’ initiative promotes postdoctoral researchers to PI roles, emphasizing gender equality and diversity. The special ‘Gerok’ positions further support research on the gut-liver axis and provide significant flexibility.

Collaborative Career Development

We take a holistic approach to career development. This includes leveraging support structures of both the existing programs and the newly established ones within the RWTH Aachen University and the CRC 1382.

Additional Resources at RWTH Aachen University:

Beyond the CYA, RWTH Aachen University also hosts:

These centers offer modular training, certificate courses, mentoring, and individual coaching for researchers and non-academic staff in leadership roles.

Focus on Biomedical Education

Within the Faculty of Medicine, the Biomedical Graduate School (BMGS) offers coordinated educational programs in life sciences, including the IRTG ‘Gut-Liver Axis’ associated with CRC 1382.

The faculty also provides postgraduate career promotion programs such as:

These programs are crafted to fund research projects, provide research time, support external exchange, and facilitate career advancement, with a special emphasis on supporting female researchers and clinician scientists.

Center for Young Academics (CYA)

CYA serves as a crucial resource for early-stage researchers at RWTH Aachen University, offering:

  • Career development resources
  • Transferable skills training
  • Networking opportunities

Annually, the academies within CYA conduct over 300 events for over 3,500 participants. This includes seminars and workshops that cover skills like scientific integrity, leadership, and science communication.

The CYA is comprised of three branches:

Each of these entities provides workshops and coordinates networking events. Several members of the CRC 1382, including Marianne Grognot (A10), Carolin V. Schneider (A11), Kai Markus Schneider (B09), and Theresa Wirtz (A06), are part of the Advanced Talents group.

The primary goal of CYA is to identify and guide career paths early while promoting comprehensive education and competences.

Commitment to Gender Equality

Ensuring gender equality is one of the critical objectives defined in the development plan of RWTH Aachen University. CRC 1382 strives to support female scientists by offering a family-friendly work environment with reliable child care and flexible working hours. We also make strategic efforts to increase the number of female Principal Investigators (PIs) in the consortium.