Celebrating
women in STEM

How we hire and retain women

We actively recruit excellent female scientists when appointing new positions. To ensure that young female researchers stay, we support them in various ways.

Our target quotas are based on the cascade model and are an important management tool for improving the proportion of women in our scientific management positions. In this model, the actual quota for one career level forms the target for the next career level.

Our mentoring programs

We offer mentoring programs for various target groups: 

• Postdocs and colleagues in science management
• Career support through mentors from industry, teaching and research, as well as through various workshop offers
• External mentoring programs
• Mentoring of junior research group leaders by experienced senior scientists at the Max Delbrück Center
• Postdoc2PhD mentoring

What our work culture offers

We encourage a work culture that balances work and social commitments. The measures include, for example:

• flexible working time models and mobile working
• Opportunities for childcare on campus
• Information and support services for nursing care
• Welcome & Family Office

The "Career and Family Audit" certificate is proof of our comprehensive and sustainable commitment to a family and life-phase-conscious personnel policy. 

Work and Life

/careers/work-life

How we raise awareness

We offer workshops to promote gender awareness, deal with unconscious bias and use gender-equitable language, such as in our DEI week. These workshops are also intended to highlight concrete options for action.

DEI week

/news/press/dei-week-kicks-max-delbruck-center

Visibility and networking

We aim to increase the visibility of female scientists and their achievements and promote networking. To this end, we initiate various measures, including Wikipedia Edit-a-thons, which aim to publish more information about outstanding female scientists and highlight their contributions.

We also organize events such as the "STEM Passion" exhibition, which not only serve as a platform for exchange, but also provide an opportunity for discussions about women in science.

STEM Passion

An exhibition with portraits of female scientists at the Max Delbrück Center.

/news/press/stem-passion-journey-inspired-women-science

Against sexual harassment, power abuse and bullying

We are actively committed to the prevention of sexual harassment, abuse of power and bullying in the workplace. To this end, we have developed a clear anti-harassment policy that not only sets out guidelines, but also includes regular training for new employees. In addition, leaders undergo mandatory training to ensure a safe and respectful working environment.

Guideline against discrimination, bullying and harassment (PDF, 7.33 MB)

To ensure that our employees receive appropriate support, we have established trained conflict advisors as first points of contact. They are available to intervene in potential conflict situations, find solutions and support those affected.

Our Counseling Services

/careers/work-life/counseling

Providing insights into professional fields

We are committed to raising awareness of careers in (bio)informatics and data science. As part of these efforts, we take part in Girls' Day to introduce girls in particular to these exciting professions.

This includes not only theoretical insights, but also practical experience and the opportunity to speak directly with experts in these fields.

Our initiative aims to spark young girls' interest in careers in the fields of (bio)informatics and data science and to highlight possible career paths and pave the way for future talent.

Girls’ Day

/transfer/public/education/girls-day