Issue 02, June 2023

Content

Title: Active support is the key

News: Network Hi!Lusatia founded

Interview: Working Group for Equal Opportunity and Diversity

Picture gallery: A look back at Building Bridges

Discovered: Simulations for the Exascale Era

Save the date: Dresden Science Night 2023

Awarded: HZDR Awards 2022

Events June/July 2023

Notes: Helmholtz rail special

Press review: Magnetic bacteria

Full articles mostly in German.

Title

Active support is the key

A career in science with a disability - is that possible? Of course it is! But the question itself shows: People with disabilities are hardly visible in science and often subject to reservations. Two things are needed above all: more visibility and active promotion of careers. But how can this best be achieved? Employees of the Helmholtz Association discussed this at a panel discussion of the Helmholtz Network for Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in May 2023. More

News

Network Hi!Lusatia founded

Together with nine partners, the HZDR, represented by the CASUS Institute, has founded the Hi!Lusatia! The network aims to support the sustainable transformation in the tri-border region of Germany, Poland and the Czech Republic. The promotion of science, research and education will be the main focus. The name Hi!Lusatia combines the English greeting "Hi!" with the Latin word for "Lausitz". It emphasizes that qualified people from everywhere are warmly welcome in the region. More

Reinforcement for the Board of Directors

At the beginning of the year, two positions were successfully filled at the center that are of particular importance to the HZDR Board of Directors. Dr. Arite Werner took up the position as Assistant to the Scientific Director, while Nicole Strauch was hired as Assistant to the Administrative Director. Both employees have now thoroughly familiarized themselves with their respective areas of responsibility - and feel comfortable in their new working environment. More

Impressions from the Helmholtz Energy Conference 2023

The position of the Corruption Prevention Officer at HZDR was reassigned at the start of the year. Dr Thorsten Jentsch from the Occupational Safety and Radiation Protection Department is now responsible for preventing corruption at the center. As a person of trust appointed by the Board of Directors, he trains and advises HZDR employees on this topic. On the intranet you can find more information about his tasks and how to contact him. More

Interview

Working Group for Equal Opportunity and Diversity: Diversity means wealth

Diversity wins! With this message, the HZDR set an example on social media on May 23 for diversity in society and in the workplace. The initiative was organized by the Diversity and Equal Opportunity Working Group, which aims to raise awareness of different diversity aspects at the center. But why is the commitment to certain values necessary and what other projects does the working group have planned? Franziska Hübner, Equal Opportunities Officer at the HZDR, provides answers in a short interview. More

Started up

Call for entries: HZDR Innovation Contest 2023

It's time for innovations again! This year's HZDR Innovation Contest has started and applications can be submitted until November 10, 2023. The competition, which has been held annually at the HZDR since 2007, allows employees to put their ideas into action by turning research results and scientific findings into usable products or services. Are you working on an exciting technology that could be interesting for the market? Then download the application and take part! More

For Postdocs: Learning how to teach

Gaining teaching experience and expanding one's own didactic skills - this can also be a great benefit for scientists working at non-university research institutions, for example on the career path to a professorship. In Dresden, the Teaching Synergies Program (TSP) offers both teaching tandems and special qualification programs. A new explanatory video shows how exactly participation in the program works, illustrated with the example of a fictional HZDR scientist. More

Picture gallery

Building Bridges: Networking, Exchanging, Shaping the Future

Building bridges for the next generations - this was the slogan of the international science conference organized by the HZDR together with the Free State of Saxony in May 2023. Around 300 representatives from science, politics and society met at the Dresden Congress Center to discuss the future of excellent research in Eastern and Central Europe. In addition to the scientific contributions, a panel discussion with the Prime Minister of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer, and the Prime Minister of the Czech Republic, Petr Fiala, was the highlight of the event. We captured the best moments of both days in a picture gallery. More

Discovered

Simulations for the Exascale Era

Plasma physics simulations running on next-generation supercomputers have great potential. They could revolutionize the use of X-ray light sources for materials research or radiation therapy. The HZDR departments Computational Science, Laser Particle Acceleration as well as CASUS are involved in the development of such code - PIConGPU. The company AMD, on whose hardware the latest successes were achieved, reports on the project progress in their blog. More

Save the Date

Dresden Science Night 2023: We are participating!

At the 20th anniversary of the Long Night of Science Dresden on June 30, the HZDR will present its research to a broad public from 5pm until midnight. The diverse program for adults, children and young people offers hands-on experiments as well as lectures and guided tours. This time, we welcome interested citizens on the campus of the Dresden University of Applied Sciences (HTWD) at Friedrich-List-Platz 1, Dresden. There will also be activities at the Felsenkeller underground laboratory and at the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT). More

Awarded

HZDR Awards 2022: Recognition for outstanding achievements

This year, the Board of Directors once again honored employees of the HZDR institutes and central departments for outstanding commitment and exceptional performance. The presentation of the certificates took place on May 23, 2023 during a festive event held in the Great Lecture Hall. In addition to the HZDR Research Prize, a Technology and Innovation Prize, a Prize for Science Communication, and three Doctoral Student Prizes were awarded. More

PhD student wins E-MRS Young Investigator Award

Success at the spring meeting of the European Materials Research Society (E-MRS) in Strasbourg: Diana Isabel Sandoval Bojorquez, PhD student in the Department of Nanobiotechnology at HZDR, won the Young Researcher Award 2023 at the international conference. She received the award for the symposium "G-Flexible bioelectronics: a rising star for in situ bioanalysis". Congratulations! More

Events June/July 2023

Matchmaking: Science meets industry

June 30 | 3 p.m. 
In the run-up to the Dresden Long Science Night, the HZDR, in cooperation with HTW Dresden and the Saxony⁵, is organizing a matchmaking event on the topic of "Generating, storing, recycling energy". In short 10-minute pitches, experts from science and industry will present their innovations and research. Afterwards, there will be an opportunity for exchange. The event will take place in the main building of the HTWD, Friedrich-List-Platz 1, Dresden. More

European Youth Festival "Fête de l'Europe"

July 04 | 2 p.m.

At the beginning of July, the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, will come to Germany for a state visit and give a speech to the European youth in front of the Frauenkirche in Dresden. The Free State of Saxony would like to offer young people the opportunity to take part in this special experience and is therefore organizing a youth festival. Minister-President Michael Kretschmer cordially invites everyone to be part of the "Fête de l'Europe" on July 4, 2023 at the Neumarkt in Dresden. More

DRESDEN-concept: Science Cruise

July 06 | 5.15 p.m.

The DRESDEN-concept network is inviting young scientists to the city's most popular networking event on July 6: That's when this year's "Science Cruise" starts from Dresden's Old Town to Pillnitz and back. With a relaxing atmosphere, good music and the best view, the event offers a unique opportunity to get into conversation with each other across institute boundaries. Boarding starts at 5:15 pm. Tickets are available in advance for 15 euros. More

Notes

Helmholtz rail special

Participants of events organized by the Helmholtz Association can look forward to a special offer this year: With the DB event ticket, employees of all 18 Helmholtz centers have the opportunity to travel to conferences, or group meetings at a unified fixed price - including a city ticket for connecting to the public transport system. The offer is valid until December 9, 2023. More

Invitation: Technical language training

The course "Technical English on the Job" offers a special kind of technical language training: Not only do the latest developments in science and technology find their way into the courses - the subjects are also always adapted to the respective work situations of the participants. In addition, the basics of grammar, syntax and general rules of scientific language are continuously trained. If you are interested, please contact Ines Göhler from the Human Resources department. More

POSTDOCS@HZDR – Join the official LinkedIn group

Did you know that there is an official LinkedIn group for all HZDR postdocs? It was recently established in order to make networking between all HZDR institutes and sites easier. The group’s main goal is to build an inclusive community where all postdocs feel valued, recognized and supported in their current and future endeavors. If you happen to be a postdoc but are not yet a member, you are welcome to join the online community. More

Press Review

Magnetic bacteria: filigree sewage plants

Whether in nuclear repositories or in the shafts and tunnels of old uranium mines, radioactive substances released into the environment threaten to contaminate soil and water. In the search for remedies against contamination, HZDR researchers are conducting experiments with magnetic bacteria that can absorb heavy metals from the environment. The team recently identified a particularly promising type, as reported by Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk in its program "MDR um Zwei". More