With more than 600 participants, the largest scientific and career fair for Germany took place in Boston (USA) at the end of August/beginning of September. At #GAIN25, universities, research institutions and scientific organisations informed interested young researchers in the early stages of their careers about their opportunities in Germany. On site: Ulm University and Ulm University Medicine.
For the first time, GAIN was also aimed at non-German-speaking researchers working in North America who are interested in a career move to Germany. US native Professor Carl Krill from the Institute of Functional Nanosystems at Ulm University attended the fair once again and was able to report first-hand his experiences in Germany. "I myself was on a panel entitled 'International Postdocs: Working in Germany. Expats share their experiences'. The panel was very lively and the questions went far beyond research and career planning. There was also a lot of discussion about cultural differences between the USA and Germany. There was quite a lot of interest," says Professor Krill.
The current US policy under President Trump, with its major cuts for the scientific community, was also a topic at the conference, especially in the opening event, according to Krill: "It was repeatedly emphasised that academic freedom is constitutionally protected in Germany. However, it was also important to the speakers from Germany that GAIN should not be a 'brain drain' programme. It is not about poaching talent from the USA, but about maintaining the intense exchange between the two countries - and it is precisely this exchange that has contributed to enormous scientific progress on both sides in recent decades."
"It is particularly important to us to express our solidarity with our colleagues in the USA and to support scientists who are no longer able to carry out their work freely. The German academic system and the institutions involved in GAIN stand for academic freedom, openness to the world and, of course, equal opportunities worldwide. Maintaining and further strengthening transatlantic scientific relations is therefore of particular concern to the DFG," said Professor Katja Becker, President of the German Research Foundation (DFG) at the opening ceremony.
Professor Thomas Wirth, Dean of the Medical Faculty, also travelled to the USA. He talked intensely to several dozen young researchers, some of whom have since contacted him by email with specific enquiries. "During the discussions, the desire to return soon or to move to Germany became clear," reports Professor Wirth. Non-German-speaking researchers were also interested in the Medical Faculty's programmes. One reason for this is the current higher education policy of the US President, which has been viewed critically by the majority of local scientists.
About GAIN
Since 2003, the German Academic International Network (GAIN) has been networking and backing German scientists worldwide - with a focus on North America -, supporting their return to German universities and research institutes and promoting their interests vis-à-vis political decision-makers. GAIN is a joint initiative of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, the German Academic Exchange Service and the German Research Foundation, supported by the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space and other associated members. The GAIN annual conference consists of panel discussions, workshops and lectures on the international scientific landscape and career opportunities in Germany. At the "Talent Fair", young researchers can find out about specific funding and job opportunities in Germany and get in touch with research institutes, scientific organisations and universities. Participants come from all scientific disciplines, in particular Biology, Medicine, Chemistry, Physics, Computer Science, Engineering and the Humanities.
Further information:
Press and Public Relations Ulm University, Mail: pressestelle(at)uni-ulm.de, Tel. (0731) 50 22121
Text: Daniela Stang