The own junior research group
Junior research groups are independent working groups at a university or research institution (within an institute or Department ). An early career researcher with a doctorate and about 2-5 years of experience after the doctorate leads them. Junior research groups enable the group leader to conduct independent research and to develop a scientific profile. In selected programs, the junior research group leader even acquires the ability to be appointed to a professorship.
The management of junior research groups – a component of a scientific career
Various funding agencies provide funding for junior research groups – from the DFG and the EU to foundations such as the Volkswagen Foundation, and ministries.
Leading a junior research group provides you with the best prerequisites for an appointment as a university lecturer. As a rule, leading a junior research group is recognized as a habilitation-equivalent achievement (depending on the subject area). In detail, this means:
- Independent research
- Own budget = own third-party funds
- Independent management of an own working group
- Supervision of doctoral researchers
- Reputation
Overview of the different funding programs
at least 2 to max. 4 years of research experience after the doctorate (+ 2 years per child)
- 6 (3+3) years, approx. 1-1.5 million euros (experience values)
- substantial international research experience
- demanding publications in international high-ranking journals or similar
- only in exceptional cases: return to the place of the doctorate
- Applications also possible from junior professors in temporary employment and early phase
- without deadline
The state and federal governments also support junior research groups within their specialist framework programs and in the course of specific calls for proposals. Please note the following for junior research groups funded by the ministry:
- Application-oriented basic research
- Matching the proposed projects to funding policy objectives
- Qualification for management tasks in business or research
- Technology transfer and product perspective
- Concrete relation to industrial implementation
- Aim of the research work including products and processes with sufficient market relevance and added value