Good research thrives on the diversity of the people who conduct it. That is why we are committed to diversity and inclusion, as well as a working environment in which everyone can fulfil their potential. In short, we celebrate our differences.
At Forschungszentrum Jülich, we do not focus on what divides us, but on what unites us. Equal opportunities and diversity are common practice at Jülich because we are convinced of these values – and because they are an important prerequisite for success in our work.
It is only when different voices and perspectives come together that excellent research can be achieved. The more diverse the individuals who work together and learn from each other, the more innovative the ideas that emerge. The key is for everyone to feel comfortable and respected in their job. This is the only way in which everyone can fulfil their individual potential.
Here, you will find individuals who are willing to help and support you in almost everything. This is the kind of working environment that every employee is looking for.
Promoting diversity and inclusion
For years, we have been actively promoting diversity and inclusion on our campus. We see diversity as the benefit that arises from our collective differences – whether in terms of areas of expertise or life experiences. We acknowledge that our employees may be affected by systemic disadvantages and strive for inclusion at all levels.
We ensure inclusion by, for example, designing our directives and processes to be as unbiased as possible. We want to empower talented individuals to thrive – regardless of their gender, origin, physical impairments, or family situation. At the same time, we apply this value as a standard for our research, which should recognize and consider the particular requirements of a diverse society.
Outstanding commitment
In practice, our commitment is evident in the wide range of offers we make to promote a diverse workforce. These include our campus kindergarten, options to work from home and flexitime arrangements, as well as intercultural training courses, networks, and training courses to ensure bias-free recruitment processes. And these are just a few of many examples.
In our diversity and inclusion action plan and our Gender Equality Plan, we have committed ourselves to implementing a wide range of further measures in the future. We aim to constantly review our actions and to identify and eliminate existing weaknesses in order to achieve an even greater openness, fairness, and cohesion.
The fact that we are on the right track is confirmed by awards such as the Total E-Quality award. This award is presented to organizations in industry, science, and administration that have successfully anchored equal opportunities in their personnel and organizational policies. We are proud of our diversity and would also like to be a role model for the world beyond our campus.
What have we already achieved in the past? And what are we doing now to make our organization even more diverse and inclusive? Find out more about diversity and inclusion at Jülich.
We are preparing a new diversity and inclusion strategy, which will be implemented by 2025. You can find more detailed information on our goals in our D&I action plan.
We support women in science and management positions. To this end, we implement targeted measures in five fields of action. Download our Gender Equality Plan.
Equal Opportunities Bureau
The Equal Opportunities Bureau provides services and structures to help Forschungszentrum Jülich become an even more inclusive science organization. Here, you can find more information or ask for support.