Informationsverantaltung am UFZ. Foto: UFZ

10 Reasons why it’s worth working for the UFZ

1. Working for a good cause

At the UFZ you can commit yourself to securing natural resources and long-term opportunities for the development of mankind and ultimately contribute to sustainable development.

Video "Us at the UFZ"

2. Great development opportunities

The UFZ invests in its employees, providing them with excellent opportunities for development. The department People & Culture supports our employees by providing training and consultation for personal and professional development, in addition facilitating the development of UFZ organisational culture. The graduate school HIGRADE is an ideal support for PhD candidates.
HIGRADE-Konferenz. Foto: Gunnar Dreßler/UFZ The UFZ has an internal training program geared towards developing researchers. There are opportunities to participate in internal training courses that focus on developing competences in methods, management and social competences. Language courses (mainly English and German as a foreign language) and computer courses are also given. Furthermore, tailor-made training programs are on offer for defined target groups as are programs for team-building skills.
The UFZ has been repeatedly awarded for the quality of its training.

3. Diversity, Inclusion and Equality

Treating everyone with respect, fairness, and dignity is the basis of our living together. We want everyone working at and with the UFZ to feel welcome and accepted and to respect UFZ's values. We are also convinced that research is most successful when pursued by a diverse workforce: individual persons contributing unique perspectives, knowledge and experience.
Thus, the UFZ has a strong commitment to diversity and actively supports equal opportunities for all employees regardless of their origin, culture, religion, world view, disability, age, and sexual identity or orientation. We look forward to people who are open-minded and enjoy working in diverse teams.

4. A family-oriented work place and flexible hours of work

Vereinbarkeit von Familie und Beruf. Foto: UFZ A work-life balance is something that receives our utmost support. Flexible working hours and parent-child workplaces are only a first step in this direction. We are working together with childcare centers (with nurseries) close to our premises in Leipzig and Halle to save families with small children from having to drive to other day-care centers or finding a place for their children at a nursery.
At the UFZ flexibility is written with a capital F. We give our employees (not only our researchers, but also our employees working in administration und service) the flexibility to determine their hours of work. Our flexi-time system enables families to find suitable childcare for their children and the flexibility to start work at hours that suit their individual needs.

5. Salaries

Employees’ salaries are paid according to the payment scale of the salary agreement of the public service sector TVöD. For further information see www.bmi.bund.de.

6. Excellent research conditions: interdisciplinary research, excellent conditions and internationality

The UFZ carries out top level interdisciplinary research and boasts an excellent international reputation.
The UFZ has excellent technical facilities, infrastructure and budgets, providing scientists with optimal conditions for their research work.
The UFZ is a member of the largest scientific organisation in Germany, the Helmholtz Community. Through projects and its work in numerous committees, it is able to benefit from excellent connections with universities and other extramural research centres as well as from connections in industry and politics.
Our employees come from all over the world or work together with scientists in other countries.

7. Welcome days and a pleasant work environment

Willkommenstag am UFZ. Foto: Sebastian Wiedling/UFZ To make new employees feel immediately welcome at the UFZ and to help them settle in quickly we regularly organise welcome days for all newcomers. Welcome days are an integral part of the induction for new employees. The idea behind them is to help new employees adjust more quickly and easily.

Otherwise, nice colleagues and a great atmosphere at work are waiting for you at the UFZ.

8. Attractive sites

Our three sites in Leipzig, Halle and Magdeburg offer great opportunities for your personal development.
The region Leipzig/Halle and Magdeburg has developed over the last 25 years into a tolerant, multicultural and one of Germany’s most cosmopolitan regions. The UFZ itself also distinguishes itself through its high percentage of employees from other countries.


Augustusplatz mit Universität und City Hochhaus. Foto: Andreas Schmidt Augustusplatz, the University und the City Tower. Photo: Andreas Schmidt With more than 560,000 inhabitants, Leipzig is the largest city in the region and particularly well known through Johann Sebastian Bach, the St Thomas church choir, the Leipzig trade fair and the Gewandhaus orchestra. Over the last twenty years this vibrant metropolis has attracted many artists and creative people. The New Leipzig School focusing on Neo Rauch is world renown. Spacious parks and the new Lake District to the south of the city are known for attracting people outdoors when the weather is nice. Leipzig is thought to be one of Germany’s most attractive cities to live in.

leipzig.travel

www.leipzig.de/

Universitätsplatz Halle. Foto: Thomas Ziegler Halle can look back at more than 1200 years of history and has a well-preserved old town center for enthusiasts of architecture. Lovers of classical music will not be disappointed either: Georg Friedrich Handel was born and grew up in Halle and Wilhelm Friedemann Bach (a son of Johann Sebastian Bach) was active in Halle for a long time. A trip to the salt works or the Halloren chocolate factory (Germany’s oldest chocolate factory) is also well worth a visit.

www.halle.de

Elbe mit Magdeburger Dom. Foto: Prinz Wilbert. Quelle: Wikimedia Commons Magdeburger Dom. Photo: Prinz Wilbert. Magdeburg is the provincial capital of Saxony-Anhalt with a history that goes back just as far as that of Halle. The city is idyllically situated on the banks of the River Elbe, which along with the former grounds of the national garden show and its millennial tower are very inviting for recreation and long walks. The Cathedral of Magdeburg is situated in the old city center and is the oldest Gothic building in Germany. The Green Citadel designed by Friedensreich Hundertwasser, the ship lift and the old city hall are among other sights worth seeing.

www.magdeburg.de

9. Your health is important to us

At the UFZ in Leipzig we have a range of sports activities for you to choose from, including a well-equipped fitness room which is available to all staff free of charge.
For those employees who prefer team sports, you can join one of the many sports clubs at the UFZ, including jogging, beach volleyball, climbing and football. There is something for everyone. Courses to improve your posture and fitness training are also available as part of the UFZ’s health plan.

10. Summer event

Sommerfest am UFZ. Foto: UFZ If you always wondered what your colleagues were doing research on, but never dared to ask, then this day is your perfect opportunity to ask. Some work groups even open their laboratories on this day and give you the chance to carry out your own experiments, ask questions and take part in discussions.
We love to celebrate our popular and almost legendary UFZ summer event. Whether the theme is the Middle Ages, Flower Power or the Olympics – this is a great time to celebrate together! Music, entertainment, children’s and sports activities guarantee plenty of fun for the entire family. Family and friends are more than welcome.