The HIDA Trainee Network is a novel exchange program for doctoral and postdoctoral researchers who work at a Helmholtz Center and whose research work has a strong connection to Information or Data Science. The program enables one to three month research stays at another Helmholtz Center or partner institution financially supported by the Helmholtz Information & Data Science Academy (HIDA).

Due to the precautionary measures in light of the spread of the coronavirus, a large part of the KHYS staff currently works from home. There, the respective contact persons can usually be reached best by e-mail. We try to continue to provide you with the best possible support for your concerns and ask for your understanding if there are occasional delays.

The coronavirus currently determines the life and work of all of us, and also for the young scientist at KIT, special questions arise due to the effects of measures against the spread of the coronavirus. Therefore, we have compiled an overview of some current information in this context for you.

For her outstanding dissertation at the KIT Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, Dr.-Ing. Akanksha Bhutani receives the Südwestmetall-Förderpreis 2019/2020. With this prize, the Baden-Wuerttemberg Employers' Association of the Metal and Electrical Industry - Südwestmetall - honors outstanding achievements of young scientists at the Baden-Württemberg state universities, which are important for the industrial working world or its socio-political framework conditions. We congratulate Ms Bhutani and wish her continued success.

As part of the President's Banquet on February 6, 2020 the 12th KIT Doctoral Award was granted. KIT honors extraordinary doctoral researchers, thereby highlighting the great importance of young scientists at KIT. Vice President Alexander Wanner honored Dr. Hannah Rothfuß, Dr. Andreas Schlüter and Dr. Merita Tafili for their outstanding research achievements. We congratulate the award winners and wish them much success.

All doctoral researchers who are doing their doctorate at a KIT department are requested to take part in the subsequent entry of data according to the Higher Education Data Protection Ordinance Baden-Württemberg (HSchulDSV BW).

The guidelines for the postdoc phase at KIT help establish transparency and reliability for postdoctoral researchers and their superiors during the postdoctoral phase at KIT. The guidelines define, among other things, what is understood by postdoctoral phase at KIT, which objectives should be pursued during this qualification phase and which responsibilities postdocs and superiors have respectively.

Postdocs will receive even more support in their careers in the future. KIT will receive EUR 750,000 for five years (KHYS Postdoc Office) from the Helmholtz Association's Initiative and Networking Fund for this task. The funding will enable KIT to support its approximately 500 postdocs more comprehensively and specifically.

Junior researchers often face different challenges in their research period which could lead to conflicts. At KIT there are a variety of advisory offices which you can contact in cases of conflicts both in a work and in a personal context. KHYS for example offers open consultation hours from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. every Thursday in room 116. There you can safely discuss your situation.

All doctoral researchers that have been accepted at a KIT Department together form a convention. The conventions can give advice on issues pertaining to doctoral researchers and give recommendations to the organs of KIT. Every convention is headed by a board, elected from within the convention. Doctoral researchers wishing to become actively involved in the convention of their KIT Department are very welcome to do so.

The Ombudspersons act as contact persons in cases of conflicts or disputes between doctoral researchers and supervisors during the doctoral research phase. Doctoral researchers and supervisors are free to initiate contact with any Ombudsperson at any point. They can decide for themselves whom they wish to address irrespective of they research background.

All employees, as well as guests and partners of KIT, are invited to present their individual professional profile within KIT and to engage in mutual exchange. An allocation to and a search concerning KIT Centers and their topics as well as embedding publications in the individual profile is possible.

The blog presents the exciting and diverse faces of the Helmholtz Association, presents experts and topics from the broad field of talent promotion and career development in science and provides insights into what is done day-to-day in the Helmholtz Association to make it not only an outstanding scientific institution, but also an inspiring workplace for all employees.

The e-book provides you with information, tips and numerous services concerning your doctorate at KIT.