FAU appoints eleventh head of junior research group in one year

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Heads of junior research groups (Images: IZKF / Sabine Spanl / Studioline / Privat / Katleen van Hoof / Privat / Privat / Privat / Privat / Rabenstein, Uni-Klinikum Erlangen / Rudi Ott)

Supporting outstanding young researchers

June 17, 2021

Dr. Manuel Keith was appointed head of a junior research group in June, the eleventh researcher to be awarded this status at FAU this year. This special status also grants researchers the opportunity to participate in a valuable programme aimed at encouraging young scientists in their careers.

Young researchers who are outstanding in their subject, have already received funding and lead a working group of their own are eligible to receive the special status.

Varied and innovative

Roughly one year ago, FAU President Prof. Dr. Joachim Hornegger awarded the certificates to the first heads of junior research groups Dr. Silvia Budday (Chair of Applied Mechanics) and Dr. Nadja Ray (Chair of Applied Mathematics, Modelling and Numerics). Since then, further excellent researchers from across the faculties have qualified:

  • Elisabeth Bergherr (Chair of Biometry and Epidemiology)
  • Heiko Bruns (Chair of Haematology and Oncology)
  • Hatem Elliesie (Erlangen Centre of Islam and Law in Europe (EZIRE))
  • Johannes Fürst (Institute of Geography)
  • Manuel Keith (Chair of Endogenous Geodynamics)
  • Nadia Müller-Voggel (Chair of Neurosurgery)
  • Markus Schiegg (Chair of German Linguistics)
  • Andrea Thoma-Kreß (Chair of Clinical and Molecular Virology)
  • Sebastian Zundler (Chair of Internal Medicine I)

The research areas and subjects the researchers pursue are as varied as they are innovative and range from tinnitus to mountain glaciers to language history. The Office of Research Career Development and Young Researcher Support has a list describing the individual research projects in more detail.

Very beneficial to young researchers

As the head of a junior research group, researchers can earn the right to supervise doctoral degrees, as well as receive additional funding from the faculties and assistance with progressing to the next stage in their career with FAUnext, a training programme designed to help young researchers pursue a career in academia.

Are you a researcher? Are you interested in becoming the head of a junior research group? If so, please either contact the Graduate Centre or read up about it on our website.

Further information

Further information about becoming the head of a junior research group is available on the Graduate Centre’s website.