At Helmholtz Munich, we are committed to equal opportunity for all

Equal Opportunity

Equality creates space for diversity and equal opportunities for everyone.

Equality creates space for diversity and equal opportunities for everyone.

Diversity is Strength

Mentoring Programs

Cross Mentoring Munich

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.

Dual Career

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

Events

Women's Month 2025

As part of Women’s Month, we raised awareness of the important role women play in science and science-related fields. From February 11 to April 3, 2025, Helmholtz Munich hosted a series of exciting events and activities that put women in the spotlight.

STEM-Passion Exhibition // 11.02. - 13.03.2025

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.

Link to our Homepage

Organisation: HR Learning & Development and Equal Opportunities Office

Diversity learning nugget “Gender-sensitive recruitment”

Presentation of key research findings on gender-sensitive recruitment and practical recommendations based on the recruiting life cycle (advertisement - pre-selection - interview - decision).

Helmholtz Munich Meet & Mingle meets Women in AI & Robotics Scientific

We were thrilled to welcome the amazing team from “Women in AI & Robotics” to our campus! This was a unique opportunity to network, exchange ideas, and learn more about their inspiring work to promote diversity and innovation in the fields of AI and robotics.

“Women in AI & Robotics” is a global nonprofit community dedicated to closing the gender gap in the fields of artificial intelligence and robotics by supporting women in their professional development in these areas. Thanks to the dedication of committed volunteers, “Women in AI & Robotics” fosters meaningful connections, organizes impactful events, and sparks important discussions on topics such as ethical AI, sustainability, and the transformative potential of technology.

In this introduction, our guest speakers Carina Mieth and Nina Rodriguez shared their vision, highlighted key initiatives, and demonstrated how the community is creating valuable opportunities for professional development, collaboration, and innovation in the fields of AI and robotics.

Hosted by: Scientific Talent and Career Development (SPR)

International Women’s Day / Barcamp // 13.03.2025

On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Gender Equality Office and HR Learning & Development hosted a Barcamp! This event provided a great opportunity to network, share experiences, and discuss important topics together.
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…

Organisation: HR Learning & Development and Equal Opportunities Office

Career Development for female doctoral researchers and postdocs

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)

Menopause in the Workplace and Studies

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

The importance of visibility – Personal Branding for female doctoral researchers and postdocs

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)

Girls’Day 2025 – Helmholtz Munich participated

Girls' Day took place again on April 3, 2025, and we participated! We are excited that we were once again able to offer an exciting and informative program for Girls' Day—a nationwide career and college exploration day for girls in grades 7 through 10.

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 hosted 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

Equal Opportunity Plan

Family & Career

Further Topics

Fotos zur Ausstellung 'A journey inspired by women in Science'

STEM Passion: A journey inspired by women in science

Testing substances

Women in Research

Businessman hand holding Information symbol. Information  
AdobeStock_294312516(1)

Federal Ministry for Family Affairs

Contact

Gleichstellungsbeauftragte, Testimonials, Porträt auf rosa Hintergrund
Dr. Gülcin Abbaszade

Equal Opportunities Officer

View profile

Porträt Katharina Gueckel; INF; Hintergrund: grau
Dr. Katharina Gückel

Deputy Equal Opportunities Officer

Porträt Isabella Salzmann-Behringer
Isabella Salzmann-Behringer

Team Assistant