Bettina Gilge

Head of the Finance Department at HZDR

What is special about your job for you? What excites you about it?

I have been working in science administration for almost 20 years now. And the tasks were and remain exciting: even in the financial sector, where you might think that everything repeats itself every year, there are always new challenges: Digitalization, legislative changes, new funding, and so on. It never gets boring.

What made you decide in favor of science?

I am a controller by training and originally applied for a controlling position at the former Forschungszentrum Rossendorf. The Administrative Director at the time got me interested in science and science management.

Who or what has particularly encouraged you in your career?

Only a short time after I started here, the former Administrative Director suggested that I obtain a Master's degree so that I could develop my prospects in the public service. So I completed my Master's in Public Management while working. He also encouraged me in my personal development and my first career steps. I was also always supported by the respective managers in the further course of my career.

What do you think is needed to get more young women interested in science?

We need to make science tangible for young people, it must not remain abstract. Young women in particular certainly need to be supported in the rush hour of life in balancing family and career. And from my own experience, I would add that strong mentors can be a great help in career development.

What goals or wishes do you have for the future?

In order to master the challenges of the future, I would like to see administration and science move even closer and solve problems together.