Around 31,000 people are employed at the 17 Helmholtz Centres. Some 11,000 work as scientists. We have around 1,700 apprentices and our scientists supervise almost 5,300 doctoral students.

Attractive working conditions

Our great scientific potential and excellent infrastructure mean we can offer attractive working conditions to experienced scientists, give young academics the opportunity to gain experience and qualifications in research and science management, and provide school-leavers with apprenticeships in a wide range of challenging occupations.»

Managing talent is fundamental to the Helmholtz culture

As the largest German research organisation, we provide young scientists» with our efficient infrastructure excellent working conditions in research - and give them the opportunity to gain teaching experience as part of our work with universities.
Postdoctoral programmes and junior professorships in the form of joint appointments with universities, sponsorship programmes with industry, prizes and awards, and the Helmholtz Young Investigators Groups with a tenure-track option create a motivating work environment for graduates who wish to work in research.

Equal opportunities

Of the research staff working at the Helmholtz Association, 29 percent are female and women hold 19 percent (www.helmholtz.de/equal-opportunity») of management positions in scientific and non-scientific areas like institute directors and heads of department.

We are committed to creating equal opportunities for men and women in research. The Helmholtz Mentoring Programme "Gaining the Lead"» (in German: "In Führung gehen) aims to prepare young, motivated women from science and administration for more challenging positions and management roles, and to strengthen networking among them in the Helmholtz Association for the long term. In addition, our Working Group on Women in Research Centres has been active for over ten years. It advises the board of directors and other Helmholtz Association bodies on the promotion of equal opportunities.

Closely related: research and the family

The Helmholtz Association has developed and implemented specific measures in order to improve the compatibility of working and family life. We offer flexible working hours as a matter of course and provide or organise childcare in the Helmholtz Centres. In addition, we offer back-to-work jobs following time spent on parental leave.

International researchers welcome

Our superb research infrastructure, which includes some large-scale equipment that is unique to our association, attracts thousands of international scientists to Germany every year. In 2010, around 5,800 scientists from all over the world made use of the research opportunities provided by the Helmholtz Centres. Our scientists also benefited greatly from this international exchange.