An important structural goal of the cluster of excellence PRISMA+ is gender equality among researchers at institutional and scientific levels. To this end, PRISMA has established the Irène Joliot-Curie Program, which serves to promote women at all scientific career stages within the cluster and its broader research environment.
Irène Joliot-Curie (*September 12, 1897, † March 17, 1956) was a French scientist. She was the eldest daughter of Marie and Pierre Curie and later the wife of Frédéric Joliot-Curie. Irène Joliot-Curie and her husband received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1935 for the discovery of artificial radioactivity.
The program was launched in December 2013 on the initiative of Prof. Dr. Concettina Sfienti. It offers workshops, training seminars and networking meetings for women in and around the Cluster and the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science at JGU. Events that raise gender awareness, such as a lecture series, regularly reach a large female as well as male audience. The IJCP focuses primarily on a physics-specific perspective and thus complements the existing supporting structures at JGU.
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This program is designed for young researchers in Physics, Computer Science, and Mathematics and aims to provide career advice that adapts to both the individual needs and the time constraints of young scientists. The goal of the program is to create role models for academic careers in science.
Within one-on-one mentoring sessions, participants will benefit from the personal perspective of an experienced mentor (a scientist from JGU, other Rhine-Main universities or – if desired – from further afield). They can choose from a list of potential mentors or request specific individuals according to their individual needs and preferences. Additional career advice will provide them with essential decision-making skills and individual support.
Due to the intense nature of this program (approximately six to nine months of individual support), it is designed to fit around ongoing research activities. Aside from the mandatory one-day kickoff workshop, all other appointments are negotiated individually. On average, this is expected to consist of three appointments with the mentor and up to three career advice sessions. Additional support (e.g., workshops, coaching, etc.) can be offered upon request. It is an inclusive program with a focus on women and people of gender diversity and is open to all, regardless of gender.
Studies show that young female researchers, particularly during the transitions from their doctorate to their first postdoctoral position or from a postdoctoral position to the next higher career stage, decide against a scientific career. The goal of the IJCP Fellowship for Transition Phases is therefore to prevent the dropout of young female researchers at the transitions between different career phases. The primary target group consists of excellent female doctoral candidates (in their final year before completing their doctorate) and female postdoctoral researchers. In justified exceptional cases, the fellowship can also be used for re-entry after interrupting a scientific career due to parental leave or caregiver leave.
The funding consists of a 100% EG13 position for a period of typically 8 months, which is used to prepare for further scientific careers (e.g., application for an “independent research position” with the German Research Foundation (DFG), AvH postdoctoral position). The work in one of the PRISMA+ work groups is accompanied by career advising, within which tailored support offers are agreed upon (participation in workshops, mentoring, coaching).
The fellowships are not advertised but are awarded by nomination. For more information, please contact the IJCP program management.
