Helmholtz Juniors
Strong representation of interests: Helmholtz doctoral students network in the Helmholtz Juniors initiative. It advocates for fair working conditions and a wide range of opportunities for continuing education.
[Translate to English:] Helmholtz Juniors Mid Term Meeting in Berlin, July, 2026
Within the community, the Helmholtz Juniors represent the interests of around 8000 doctoral researchers. The doctoral candidates of the individual centers decide on the composition of the committee: They elect their representatives annually. Each Research Center sends at least two members.
Activities
N2 Network
The Helmholtz Juniors intensively exchange information with doctoral candidates from other non-university research institutions: In the N2 (Network of Networks) they cooperate with the Max Planck PhDnet and the Leibniz PhD Network. Together, the representatives debate topics such as the appropriate design of working conditions, the physical and mental health of PhD students, and career prospects.
Annual meetings
The Helmholtz Juniors meet annually to discuss the situation of doctoral researchers at the individual centers. They also examine how successful initiatives of individual centers can be extended to the entire community.
Working groups
The numerous activities of the Helmholtz Juniors are implemented by various working groups. The teams meet at the annual meetings. An overview of the groups and their fields of activity:
Steering committee
N2 position statement on the draft bill to amend the Act on Fixed Term Employment Contracts in Academia (WissZeitVG)
Helmholtz Junior along with the N² Network (Max Plank PhDnet, Leibniz PhD Network and IPP Mainz PhD Network) releases this position statement on behalf of 16.000 Doctoral Researchers.
The Statement highlights the urgent need to amend the Act on Fixed Term Employment Contracts in Academia (WissZeitVG) with focus on initial contract duration, minimum contract extension among other important topics.
Read the full statement here:
HeJu N² Survey 2024 - Helmholtz Report
Helmholtz Juniors are proud to present the report we have prepared based on the results of the N²-Survey 2024 for Doctoral Researchers (DRs), aggregated for the whole Helmholtz Association.
The survey was conducted in a harmonized manner by the Helmholtz Juniors, the Max Planck PhD net, and the Leibniz PhD Network. The report provides insights into various aspects of doctoral life and highlights the key topics identified through the N²-Survey, such as supervision, working conditions, family, power abuse and mental health.
Check out the full report here:
More information
Network of Doctoral Researcher Networks
Max Planck N2
Leibniz PhD Network
N2 Facebook
Helmholtz Juniors - Social Media
Helmholtz Juniors @ facebook!
Helmholtz Juniors @ Twitter!
Helmholtz Juniors @ Instagram
Helmholtz Juniors @ LinkedIn
Information
