Equal Opportunity
The Equal Opportunity Office act as contact persons for all persons at the Helmholtz Munich, whether women, men or divers, and are committed to equal opportunities in the field of science and research.
The Equal Opportunity Office act as contact persons for all persons at the Helmholtz Munich, whether women, men or divers, and are committed to equal opportunities in the field of science and research.
In close cooperation with management and the Works Council as well as the Human Resources, Personnel Development, Communications & Strategic Relations, International Staff Service and Occupational health management, we develop equality measures and support their implementation.
Our tasks:
- Increasing the proportion of women in leadership positions in science.
- Information on mentoring programs and advice on applications
- Advice and support in personal problem situations, referral to specific help and advice services, e.g. on the subject of violence
- Advice and support in cases of sexual harassment in the workplace
- Contact point for questions and suggestions on the subject of reconciling work and family life
- Organization and implementation of events such as lectures and workshops on the topic of equality and equal opportunities
- Monitoring of equality aspects and controlling of measures
- Creation of structures, offers, instruments and measures for equal opportunities
The Equal Opportunities Officers are members of various internal and external committees and of the Helmholtz working group "Women in Research Centers".
Women's Month 2025
As part of Women’s Month, we aim to raise awareness about the significant role of women in science and science-related fields. From February 11th to April 3rd, Helmholtz Munich will host a series of exciting events and activities focused on women.
STEM-Passion aims to bring the stories and achievements of women in STEM subjects to a wider audience. The project raises awareness of scientific excellence and the leadership role of women in science. At the same time, it promotes a diverse representation of female scientists in the public sphere (STEM Passion ).
The exhibition at Helmholtz Munich showcases female scientists who are passionate about pursuing different career paths in science. These women are driving innovation not only in scientific research but also in society.
Elisabetta Citterio photographed and interviewed four female Helmholtz researchers for this special exhibition: Professors Annette Peters, Magdalena Götz, Carolin Daniel and Dr. Sarah Kim-Hellmuth. The new Helmholtz Munich portraits will be presented together with a selection of earlier works.
Date: 11.02. - 13.03.2025
Location: HPC Building
Organisation: HR Learning & Development and Equal Opportunities Office
Presentation of key research findings on gender-sensitive recruitment and practical recommendations based on the recruiting life cycle (advertisement - pre-selection - interview - decision).
The goal of the seminar is to achieve healthy self-confidence and self-assurance to face difficult situations in the future with a positive inner drive, assertiveness, and a confident attitude.
Seminar Contents:
- Origins and causes of conflicts/violence
- Developing a basic attitude of self-confidence and self-respect
- Learning situational-functional action or reaction options according to the "offender-testing" model
- Recognizing threatening situations early
- Responding appropriately to harassment, catcalling, and heckling
- Verbal and non-verbal guidance of individuals
- Training facial expressions, gestures, body language
- Simple self-protection exercises
- Strategies for more safety on business trips or the way to work
The goal of the seminar is to achieve healthy self-confidence and self-assurance to face difficult situations in the future with a positive inner drive, assertiveness, and a confident attitude.
Organisation: Occupational health management
We are excited to host the amazing team from Women in AI & Robotics on our campus! This is a unique opportunity to connect, exchange ideas, and learn more about their inspiring work in advancing diversity and innovation in AI and robotics.
Women in AI & Robotics is a global nonprofit community committed to closing the gender gap in artificial intelligence and robotics by empowering women to thrive in these fields. Through the efforts of dedicated volunteers, Women in AI & Robotics fosters meaningful connections, organizes impactful events, and drives critical conversations on topics such as ethical AI, sustainability, and the transformative potential of technology.
In this introduction, our guest speakers, Carina Mieth and Nina Rodriguez, will share their mission, highlight key initiatives, and demonstrate how the community creates valuable opportunities for professional growth, collaboration, and innovation in AI and robotics.
Whether you’re a doctoral researcher, postdoc, or just an interested person, join us and meet like-minded individuals, expand your network, and be part of the conversation shaping the future of AI and robotics.
Let’s connect, collaborate, and inspire!
Hosted by: Scientific Talent and Career Development (SPR)
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Gender Equality Office and HR Learning & Development are hosting a Barcamp! This event offers a great opportunity to network, share experiences, and discuss important topics together.
Date: March 13, 2025
Time: 09:30 am - 1:00 pm
Location: Auditorium
Topics:
- Women's network: building and fostering valuable professional contacts
- Career and family: Reconciling work and private life
- Career: Strategies for career advancement
- And your topics…
The Barcamp format allows you to actively participate in shaping the sessions and bring in your own ideas and questions.
We look forward to your participation and exciting discussions!
Organisation: HR Learning & Development and Equal Opportunities Office
If I know what I want, if I know my goal, I can consciously shape my career according to my ideas.
The big questions in this context are, based on the founder of the "New Work" concept, Frithjof Bergmann:
- With what do I want to spend the time I have?
- Do I actually know what I really, really want?
In this course we want to get to the bottom of these questions and reflect on them in various exercises:
- your interests, topic & passion
- your needs
- your strengths & your preferences
- your values
- your motivation
On this basis
- we discuss possible career goals for each participant
- develop concrete measures and next steps towards that goal.
- Clarity about what defines you (e.g. strengths, needs, motivation)
- Definition of one or more possible career goals
- Development of measures and steps
Organisation: Scientific Talent and Career Development (SPR)
Prof. Dr. Andrea Rumler from the Berlin School of Economics and Law (HWR Berlin) will provide information on the impact of menopausal symptoms on women’s work ability and well-being.
Seminar Content:
- Impairment of work ability: Menopausal symptoms lead to significant exhaustion, sleep disturbances, irritability, depressive moods, and hot flashes.
- Statistics:
- 10% of surveyed women plan to retire early due to symptoms.
- 19.4% of women over 55 have similar plans.
- Almost a quarter have reduced their working hours.
- Almost a third have taken sick leave or unpaid leave.
- More than one in six women have changed their job.
We look forward to your participation and an engaging discussion on necessary measures for workplace health promotion for women during menopause.
Organisation: Occupational Health Management, HR Learning & Development and Equal Opportunities Office
Are you ready to make your work—and yourself—stand out in the scientific community and beyond? Join us for this workshop designed to help women master the art of self-marketing. In this interactive session, you’ll learn strategies to showcase your expertise, build meaningful networks both online and offline, and communicate in a way that people will remember you. Whether you're looking to elevate your presence at conferences, improve your online profile, or simply feel more confident sharing your science, this workshop gives you the tools to be seen, heard, and remembered.
- Diversity in an international working environment: A critical look at a variety of communication styles and their advantages and challenges in different settings
- Communicating confidently
- How you can influence the course of your success or failure
- How to persuade others of your ideas
- Assertiveness
- Confident body language.
- Effective self-marketing on- and offline for career progress
Organisation: HR Learning & Development
Our world of work changes rapidly, especially in the context of digitization and globalization.
The so-called New World of Work provides new challenges but also great chances. If you can make your skills and achievements visible!
For most of us, self-marketing is a big step out of our comfort zone, but also the most successful way to develop our careers. A personal brand is the key to an authentic, confident and successful communication on own behalf. Clarity about the following topics will help you to build your personal brand and gain self-confidence:
- What are your topic(s), interests and passion?
- Which are your strengths and values?
- What is your goal?
- What is your USP (unique selling point)?
- Who are your target groups and how do you reach them?
Organisation: Scientific Talent and Career Development (SPR)
On April 3, 2025, Girls’ Day will take place again, and we are participating! We are excited to offer an engaging and informative program for Girls’Day - Girls’ Future Day - the nationwide orientation day for career and study guidance for girls from 7th to 10th grade.
The goal is for the girls to learn about professions in which men have predominantly worked and to inspire them to pursue careers in mathematics, natural sciences, computer science, and research.
Our offer for Girls’Day at Helmholtz Munich is already fully booked, and we look forward to welcoming the participants to our center on April 3, 2025.
Carsten Marr, Director Institute of AI for Health
“A diverse work environment is essential for innovation and progress. We have to inspire curiosity and encourage the next generation of scientists. Therefore, on Thursday, 3 April, we are hosting a Girls’ Day at Helmholtz Munich to introduce young female talents to the world of research and discovery.”
The host institutes for Girls’Day 2025 are: Institute of AI for Health (AIH), Institute of Translational Genomics (ITG) and Institute Biological and Medical Imaging (IBMI).
Organisation: HR Learning & Development, Equal Opportunities Office and Recruiting
Mentoring Programs
Helmholtz Zentrum München has been participating in Cross-Mentoring München since 2013 with mentors and mentees from both science and administration.
Cross-Mentoring München is aimed at the future generations of women managers in the greater Munich area. Mentees and Mentors come from 20 companies and scientific institutions.
For Helmholtz Center women employees: Advice and further information on Cross-Mentoring München is available from the Department Human Resources Development.
The International Staff & Dual Career Services (ISDCS) team at the Human Resources Department is the established central point of contact at Helmholtz Munich for you as an international staff member and visiting researcher and your family members. Our goal is to provide you and your family with the best possible support to enable you to focus fully on your professional activities. We aim to provide you with targeted assistance to help you integrate in your new place of residence.
Please find more information here
