2014-2024 all milestones in the history of the Heine Research Academies. Find out more.
Heine Research Academies
The graduate academies in the HHU’s faculties, the Interdisciplinary Graduate and Research Academy Düsseldorf (iGRAD) of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, the Medical Research School Düsseldorf (medRSD) as part the graduate center of the Faculty of Medicine and the Graduate Academy of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (philGRAD) together with the Junior Scientist and International Researcher Center (JUNO) form an alliance called Heine Research Academies (HeRA) Heine Research Academies fosters the education and training of young researchers at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU).
The graduate academies' objectives are above all:
- To foster graduate education throughout the university in the framework of internationally recognized quality standards
- To strengthen the interdisciplinarity and internationalization of graduate education
- To provide a cross-disciplinary education and training programme
- To support young researchers in their career development
- To foster qualification and vocational training of postdocs at HHU
Institutions involved
The Interdisciplinary Graduate and Research Academy Düsseldorf (iGRAD) is an institution of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf. Amongst its core tasks are the coordination of structured education and training for Doctoral Researchers in the faculty and the development of specific programmes in its principal fields of research. iGRAD’s objectives are, amongst others, to increase further both the quality and diversity of Doctoral Studies, to foster cross-disciplinary cooperation and to prepare Doctoral Researchers as the managers of tomorrow for key responsibilities beyond disciplinary or national boundaries. iGRAD offers all doctoral members courses in which key qualifications are taught, as well as advice on all topics related to their doctorate. Coordinated research groups, e.g. Collaborative Research Centres or Research Training Groups, can become institutional members of iGRAD and receive support over and above the basic curriculum for the organization and implementation of their training programmes. iGRAD’s services are available to all members.
The Medical Research School Düsseldorf (medRSD) of the Faculty of Medicine at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf was established with the aim of supporting young researchers in the field of medicine. The medRSD’s task is to support Doctoral Researchers during their doctorate by providing them with a structured framework and to assist them in their doctoral work and academic career plans with a range of services. One of the academy’s key objectives is to improve education and training for Doctoral Researchers as well as their supervision and in so doing to raise the quality and number of successful doctorates. This offer includes an annual information day entitled “Introduction to Doctoral Studies”, an annual congress for Doctoral Researchers, workshops and courses, online information on Doctoral Studies and advice sessions. There will also be a job exchange and networking events for Doctoral Researchers. medRSD does not, however, only support young researchers, but also the Collaborative Research Centres, Research Training Groups and Research Units, e.g. by coordinating training programmes and through supplementary activities.
The Graduate Academy of the Faculty of Arts and Humanities (philGRAD) at Heinrich Heine University complements the established model of Doctoral Studies where the focus is on individual supervision by a university professor. Key elements are a relationship which is more binding and generally features several supervisors, a more structured study programme as well as further training courses. The aims are to foster communication and cooperation amongst Doctoral Researchers and to support their studies by offering courses and advice, as well as preparing them better for the time after they have completed their doctorate.
The Junior Scientist and International Researcher Center (JUNO) of HHU offers interdisciplinary qualification and soft skill trainings for postdocs, young research group leaders and junior professors of all faculties in order to support the scientific independency of the young academics at HHU. JUNO is also the central contact and service center for international doctoral researchers, postdocs and visiting scientists who are taken care of in frame of the Welcome Service for international researchers.
Taking advantage of Heine Research Academies
The Heine Research Academies (HeRA) foster the education and training of young researchers at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf (HHU). Early stage researchers, Postdocs and Supervisors gain numerous strategic advantages by a membership of Heine Research Academies.
- Doctoral projects within transparent and binding rules with main and co-supervision based on international standards (currently separate guidelines in the Faculty of Medicine)
- A faculty-specific curriculum generally comprising three workshops on key skills as well as the compulsory course on “Good Scientific Practice”
- Support services and advice related to Doctoral Studies and career planning
- Inter-faculty networking and exchange with other Doctoral Researchers
- Specific further training courses (on career development and graduate supervision)
- Inter-faculty networking and exchange with fellow Postdocs
- Specific further training courses (e.g. graduate supervision)
- Numerous auxiliary support and advice services on topics such as: job advertisements, Tutor Service for incoming international early stage researchers, development of graduate training programmes
- Interdisciplinary networking of the structured programmes
- Support and advice for the programme coordinators
- Modern quality standards, transparent recruitment procedures