Highly remarkable for a computational and technically oriented CRC, 37.5 % of our PIs are female. This includes K. Küsel (A01), C. Friedel (A02), D. Kühnert (A02), M. Marz (A04), C. Schoeder (B03) A. McHardy (B04), S. Deinhardt- Emmer (C02), B. König-Ries (Z02), N. Cassman (Z02), K. Fröhlich (Z03), S. Höppener (Z03), and M. Fabisch (Z04). For the managing board, 40 % its members are women (M. Marz (A04), S. Deinhardt-Emmer (C02)) and our CRC VirusREvolution is proud to have a female spokesperson. 

Promotion of equity and diversity

FSU awards for equity and gender equality

The university received recognition for its gender equality work in several programs and awards:

  • 2013 DFG Research-Oriented Standards on Gender Equality
  • 2014 BMFTR “Equality Implementation Standards for Universities”
  • 2014 Member of the “Charta Familie in der Hochschule”
  • 2017 Member of the “Charta der Vielfalt”
  • 2018 Professorinnenprogramm “Equality Future Concept”
  • 2018, 2024 “Jenaer Familiensiegel”
  • 2019, 2024 CEWS “Ranking of higher education institutions by gender aspects”
  • 2022 Top rating “International Student Barometer”
  • 2022, 2025 “Thüringer Siegel für Gesunde Arbeit in Gold”
  • 2024 “University with strong gender equality”
  • 2024 “Total E-Quality” certificate for the sixth time
Family-Friendly Support at FSU Jena

FSU Jena is committed to making research and family life fully compatible. From on-campus childcare to mentoring and career development, our programs are designed to support researchers at every stage.

Childcare & Family Services
  • JUniKinder Program – Flexible on-campus childcare, including short-term care during events

  • JUniFamilie – Familienbüro – Guidance for balancing research and family responsibilities

  • Mobile Parent-Child Room (“Das Rollende Kinderzimmer”) – Flexible space for parents and children

  • Additional Options: Babysitting service, toy backpacks, children’s and family sports courses, holiday programs, and a children’s university

Recognition:

  • Member of the Best Practice Club “Familie in der Hochschule” (since 2008)

  • Co-initiator of the Charta “Familie in der Hochschule” (2014)

  • Founding member of the Jenaer Bündnis für Familie

  • Awarded the Jenaer Familiensiegel (2024)

Caregiving & Career

FSU Jena supports all researchers with caregiving responsibilities:

  • Flexible work arrangements and leave options

  • Institutional counselling

  • Integration with CRC activities: training, mentoring, networking

Career Development & Mentoring

Early-stage researchers benefit from professional guidance and networking:

  • ProChance & Rowena Morse Mentoring Programme

  • Cross-mentoring with the UNIBUND network (Halle – Jena – Leipzig)

  • Focused support for women transitioning from doctoral to postdoctoral careers

  • Access to skill development, leadership training, and diverse networking

Gender Equality & Diversity

CRC VirusREvolution ensures a supportive, inclusive, and bias-free research environment:

  • Visibility and recognition of successful women in science

  • Career advancement support: mentoring, coaching, and funding

  • Enabling research during pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Tailored childcare solutions

  • Dedicated equality and diversity contact, linked with university offices and anti-discrimination policies

Monitoring & Evaluation

We track and ensure:

  • Gender balance in leadership and participation

  • Career progression and mentoring engagement

  • Use of family-friendly policies

Goal: A sustainable, inclusive, and internationally attractive research environment.

VirusREvolution plans to complement existing initiatives at the FSU Jena by the following measures:

  • Mentoring programme with female role models from related disciplines who have a distinguished career in other universities or institutes to help female young scientists identify strategies for their own careers;
  • Support for female and male scientists with family obligations by offering student helpers;
  • Specific travel funds particularly for female scientists with small children; and
  • Emergency family care funds for VirusREvolution members.

In our initiative, 41% of PIs are female, the managing board consists of 40 % females and the we have a female spokesperson.

Equal opportunities and diversity at FSU Jena
Equal Opportunities Office at FSU Jena