PRISMA++ is committed to the training and career of young researchers in all phases of their respective academic careers. The cluster offers an excellent training environment for students and doctoral candidates. Not to mention the opportunities that arise through strong international networks and collaborations of the scientists involved in PRISMA++.
An important structural goal of the PRISMA++ cluster of excellence is the equal opportunity of scientists at the institutional and scientific level. To this end, PRISMA++ has established the Irène Joliot-Curie Program, which serves to support women in all scientific career phases within the cluster and its wider research environment.
In order to attract highly qualified scientists to the location, PRISMA++ offers employment opportunities for dual-career couples as part of the Dual Career Fund. The “Guest Program” offers support opportunities to attract leading international scientists to Mainz for a research stay.
PRISMA++ is committed to the training and career of young researchers in all phases of their academic career – from advanced Bachelor students to postdoctoral researcher. Within the Cluster of Excellence, the Mainz Physics Academy (MPA) forms the common umbrella for all these activities of graduate training and the promotion of young researchers.
We are convinced that excellence in research is promoted through collaboration, non-discriminatory communication and working culture. We are actively committed to strengthening underrepresented groups and want to break down structural and individual barriers.
The JGU supports its students, researchers and employees with a variety of institutional measures such as the Equality and Diversity Office, the JGU´s Family Services Center, the Dual Career Service and a Welcome Center for international scientists.
The cluster’s programs are closely coordinated with the Equality and Diversity Office of the JGU and joint events take place regularly.
We are guided by measures of the equal opportunities plan of the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science, whose Equality Commissioner is currently PI Sonia Bacca. The faculty is committed to appointing more women to academic leadership positions according to the cascade model. Since 2008, the Ada Lovelace Project (ADA) has been offering mentoring programs for excellent young female academics in the fields of natural sciences, Technics Department, engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
The Ombuds Team consists of young researchers as well as professors who are regularly trained accordingly and serve as the first contact point for questions about diversity, equality and integration. Their main task is to support, advise and address all members of the cluster in a confidential setting, as well as in cases of discrimination and other critical situations.
The following institutions serve as contact points at the JGU for questions or requests for advice in the event of conflicts, discrimination, racism, disabilities and/or chronic diseases or sexual harassment in the workspace:
CONFLICTS
DISCRIMINATION
RACISM AND ANTI-SEMITISM
DISABILITIES AND/OR CHRONIC DISEASES
SEXUAL HARASSMENT
- Sexualized harassment and violence at higher education institutions
- JGU Guideline on Protection against Sexual Harassment
- Podcast series “Look! Support for people affected by sexual harassment”
FURTHER ADVISORY CENTERS
ANTI-BIAS-TRAINING
The JGU´s Family Services Center offers members of the JGU information, advice and support in reconciling family and work or studies: https://www.familienservice.uni-mainz.de/
The coordination office supports the members of PRISMA++ in the search for a place in the childcare facilities on campus. Please send a copy of your application to the PRISMA++ coordination office.
For short-term care bottlenecks, PRISMA++ works together with the “Kinderschirm” of the Association of Single Mothers and Fathers Landesverband Rheinland-Pfalz e.V.. Here, on-site care (outside of daycare and school care) can be organized at PRISMA++ events. Please contact the coordination office in good time.
Contact points and contact persons for questions about science/career and child: https://www.familienservice.uni-mainz.de/beratung-eltern-b/
Emergency care and transitional care of children at the JGU:
https://www.familienservice.uni-mainz.de/kinderbetreuung-beschaeftigte/
Parent-child room at the JGU: Staudingerweg 9; Room 120 (2nd floor). Please get the key from the PRISMA++ coordination office.
For the re-entry after family or care-related interruptions of the scientific career, the IJCP Fellowship can be used.
An important structural goal of the PRISMA++ cluster of excellence is the equal opportunity of scientists at the institutional and scientific level. To this end, PRISMA++ has established the Irène Joliot-Curie Program, which serves to support women in all scientific career phases within the cluster and its wider 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 network meetings for women in and around the cluster and the Faculty of Physics, Mathematics and Computer Science of the 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 already existing support structures of the JGU.
In cooperation with:
There are currently no events planned.
PRISMA++ offers a range of different funding opportunities for researchers of all career levels:
In order to bring leading international scientists to Mainz and to promote scientific exchange, PRISMA++ supports international scientists during their stays at the cluster.
The PRISMA++ executive committee decides on the basis of the nomination form, which must be submitted by a member of the cluster at least three months before the planned stay. The decision is usually made in approximately 4 to 6 weeks. Funding criteria are
- the excellence of the visiting scholar in his field
- the contribution to the PRISMA++ research goals
- and the expected benefit for the research projects of the PRISMA++ members.
In order to support highly qualified scientists in the phase between the postdoctoral researcher and the first longer-term employment, PRISMA++ offers employment opportunities for dual career couples within the “Dual Career Fund”. Proposals can be submitted by PRISMA++ members at any time. The funding from the “Dual Career Fund” must be co-financed to an equal extent from the budget of the respective group. The executive committee usually decides on the proposal within 4 to 6 weeks.
In addition, the JGU Dual Career Office offers individual support and develops proposals for the accompanying partners. The service includes help and support with job search, application processes (curriculum vitae and cover letter), the joint development of a search strategy and information on potential employers in the region. To use this service, please contact the PRISMA++ coordination office.
currently no calls for proposals
Applications for the Detector Innovation Fellowship welcome until March 31st, 2026.
Postdoctoral researcher positions in PRISMA++ work groups (unsolicited applications possible at any time)
The application period for the current call for applications runs from January 26 to February 28, 2026. Further information here.
currently no calls for proposals
currently no calls for proposals
