How do you summarise your own research in a way that inspires others? What does critical thinking mean in the age of AI? Ulm University’sYoung Researchers’ Science Day 2026, taking place on Wednesday 21 October from 4.30 pm to 6.00 pm in the multimedia room in research building N27, will demonstrate just that.
The Young Researchers’ Science Day is organised by the ProTrainU Academy for Young Researchers at Ulm University and demonstrates just how infectious enthusiasm, passion and joy in one’s own research work can be. Six selected scientists, all postdocs, will present their project ideas in short science pitches. Their task is to summarise a research question simply, concisely and originally in a maximum of five minutes; and there should be no shortage of creativity and inspiration in the process. The two best pitches will receive prize money of 50,000 euros (1st place) and 30,000 euros (2nd place). The winners are to use the money to develop their own project ideas and, for example, to submit funding applications. The pitches – as well as the written project proposals submitted in advance – will be assessed by a jury comprising board members of the ProTrainU Young Researchers’ Academy at the University of Ulm.
Maciej Tusz will bridge the gap until the jury’s decision is announced with his keynote on ‘Critical Thinking – When AI Does the Work’. The engineer and entrepreneur is CEO of Magnitude Innovations. The technology consultancy advises companies in the metal industry that initiate the use of additive manufacturing (3D printing) in series production on how to optimise their production processes. In his talk, he demonstrates how artificial intelligence can be usefully initiated even in critical and particularly demanding research and development processes – and where critical thinking remains indispensable.
“Science Day impressively demonstrates just how great the scientific potential of our young researchers is. We want to harness this potential and nurture it from an early stage,” emphasises Professor Dieter Rautenbach, Vice President for Careers and Digitalisation and Scientific Director of ProTrainU. “With this substantial funding, we aim to give our scientists the opportunity, right from the early stages of their careers, to bring their ideas to the fore and develop them further in the long term,” affirm Clarissa Gobiet and Dr Cornelia Estner, the managing directors of ProTrainU. Ulm University remains the only university in Germany to offer a funding scheme for early-career researchers with such substantial grants.
Following the programme, all participants and guests are warmly invited to a get-together. The event offers an opportunity for discussion, networking and getting to know one another.
Further information:
Clarissa Gobiet (clarissa.gobiet(at)uni-ulm.de) and
Dr Cornelia Estner (cornelia.estner(at)uni-ulm.de), managing directors of the ProTrainU Young Researchers’ Academy
Information on the programme and registration (please register if you plan to attend!)
www.uni-ulm.de/scienceday
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Event details:
Ulm University Young Researchers’ Science Day
Wednesday, 21 October 2026, 4.30–6.00 pm
Multimedia Room, Research Building N27, Ulm University
Text and media contact: Andrea Weber-Tuckermann