Young investigator groups
One of the FZJ's declared goals is to expands its expertise by giving outstanding scientists the opportunity to acquire leadership skills while at the same time sharpening their scientific profile. We established the Young Investigators Programme to promote this. As a young scientist, distinguishing yourself through scientific excellence, international experience and a high degree of mobility, can extend your own expertise by founding a Young Investigator Group (YIG).



A Young Investigator Group (YIG) at Jülich consists of a leader (e.g. YOU) and at least two persons with an academic degree, who are under the direct professional and disciplinary supervision of the YIG leader.
You and your group will do research on a clearly defined topic that fits into the strategic portfolio of the Forschungszentrum Jülich and the thematic orientation of the subinstitute.
The position of YIG leader serves as a qualification for a professorship or other leading position within or outside the scientific community.



As a research group leader you will have access to the necessary infrastructure and resources within the usual framework of your home institute.
You will be chosen through a transparent, systematic application, selection, and quality assurance process.
An evaluation of the young investigator group's performance will take place after 3–4 years in order to be able to assess the scientific performance spectrum of the entire group and the leadership quality of the group leader accordingly.
The position of a YIG leader serves as a qualification for a professorship or another leading position within or outside the scientific community. Working at the FZJ offers the opportunity to find out about the different career options and to access the FZJ's administrative support in communicating with universities regarding a Junior or Full Professorship.
For YIG-leaders already on board of the FZJ, we offer a comprehensive programme ranging from an individual onboarding in Jülich and regular development and networking opportunities to the maintenance of contact.

Contact and Consultation
Dr. Greta Giljan
Ansprechpartnerin für Nachwuchsgruppen
- Corporate Development (UE)
Room 2015