|
|
Dear reader,
Artificial intelligence is causing quite a stir not only in the news, but also in our daily lives – from search engines and translation services like the German DeepL to generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney. While the idea of intelligent machines is not new and has been part of our cultural landscape and imagination for a long time, the recent impact and speed of change is unprecedented: artificial intelligence has truly arrived. Science and research are, of course, also heavily impacted by this development, either by pushing technological evolution or by making use of it.
This November, we cast a glance at new developments in the field of AI and its effects on our professional and private lives. While doing research for this issue, we were amazed at how much this technology impacts our work routine already. Do you feel the same way? And how much do you think AI will further impact your professional life in the next three years? Cast your vote in the “Your turn!” section at the bottom. We wish you a good time exploring our November issue!
|
|
 SPOTLIGHT
Wherever you see this tag, the post connects to our monthly spotlight topic.
|
|
Current calls
|
|
Apply by: 15 November 2023 (from Baltic States, East Central Europe, Southeast Europe, Turkey, Russian Federation, Ukraine; other deadlines for other countries),
934–1,300 €/month + allowances, 1–12 months
PhD & Postdoc: all disciplines
Short-Term Grants and One-Year Grants for Doctoral Candidates
Go to German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
|
|
|
Apply by: 15 November 2023 (from Baltic States, East Central Europe, Southeast Europe, Turkey, Russian Federation, Ukraine; not all grants offered for all countries, other deadlines for other countries), 1,300 €/month + allowances, 7 months – 4 years
Postdoc: all disciplines
Doctoral Programmes in Germany and Bi-nationally Supervised Doctoral Degrees / Cotutelle
Go to German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD)
|
|
|
Apply by: 30 November 2023, 500 €/month, 1 year
PhD & Postdoc: experimental natural sciences and medicine
Grants for young female scientists with children by the Christiane Nüsslein-Volhard-Foundation
Go to CNV-Foundation
|
|
|
Apply by: 30 November 2023, 2,600–3,100 €/month, 6–24 months
Postdoc & Advanced research: all disciplines, researchers from Brazil
Capes-Humboldt Research Fellowship
Go to Alexander von Humboldt Foundation
|
|
|
Apply by: 1 December 2023, no max. funding limit, up to 3 years
Postdoc & Advanced research: physics, chemistry, materials science and engineering, geosciences, neurosciences, molecular and clinical infectiology and immunology, social sciences and humanities
Argentinean-German Collaboration in Research
Go to Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A spotlight on: artificial intelligence
© DAAD/Nathan Dreessen
Germany is further expanding its already well-positioned AI research, with a particular focus on the transfer of findings from academia to business. Since last year, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has been contributing to this goal with the Konrad Zuse Schools of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence. Backed by the German government’s AI strategy, these schools are the high-tech launchpads for aspiring AI scholars from across the globe: at Zuse School ELIZA, Zuse School relAI and Zuse School SECAI, master’s and PhD students focus on different key issues of AI research – from machine learning and privacy concerns to the testing of medical applications, and much more.
Spread across the country, the Zuse Schools’ aim is to strengthen Germany as an AI research location through networking. At the same time, they offer young talents an excellent academic education in Germany and – crucially – bring them into contact with companies at an early stage. By providing funding for top-tier universities and drawing upon its own know-how in global networking, the DAAD intends to develop the schools into internationally acclaimed centres of AI expertise. Read for yourself and find out how “AI made in Germany” is taking shape!
|
|
A closer look: work in Germany
|
© iStock/Drazen_
A key factor for learning is the accessibility of knowledge. And giving easy access to learning opportunities from anywhere in the world was the goal of the Stifterverband when they launched AI Campus, funded by the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). The platform strengthens AI skills and data literacy through free online courses, videos and podcasts. A good portion of the content is available in English and addresses a broad range of topics: from quantum machine learning to the design and implementation of cognition-enabled robotic systems. Curious? Explore what this virtual campus has to offer!
|
|
© iStock/EvgeniyShkolenko
Are robots capable of dancing appropriately to different music? The answer to this question will be a clear yes after you have seen the stunning work scientists at the German Research Center for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI) have accomplished. The team regularly documents their projects on the Center’s YouTube channel – and shows not only how robots could soon become great dancers, but also how AI can help us with everyday tasks, at work, or even at the bottom of the ocean. Take a peek at the future and see incredible work by researchers from around the world!
|
|
© MPQ/Thorsten Naeser
“A prize of this magnitude demands great humility.” It is with these words that the Hungarian-Austrian scientist Ferenc Krausz responded to the honour of being awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics. Krausz is director at the Max Planck Institute of Quantum Optics near Munich, where his work laid the foundation for attosecond physics. His team’s work gives elementary insights into the behaviour of electrons in atoms, molecules and solids and could help develop electronic components more quickly. Krausz is awarded the prize along with fellow scientists Pierre Agostini and Anne L'Huillier and is the sixth researcher of the Max Planck Society to receive a Nobel Prize since 2020.
|
|
|
The bigger picture: life in Germany
|
© iStock/MixMedia
Germany’s scientist-friendly approach welcomes people speaking all kinds of languages. But if you want to further your career opportunities even more – or plan to take part in Germany’s rich cultural landscape and meet the locals –, we recommend Annik Rubens’s award-winning podcast “Slow German”. The host presents dialogue situations, gives insights into German work culture or even discusses the meaning of fairy tales – all at a pace that is easy to follow for non-native speakers.
|
|
|
In case you missed it
|
|
With a budget of 95.5 billion euros, Horizon is the world’s largest research collaboration programme. The EU’s flagship funding programme for research and innovation facilitates collaboration and strengthens the impact of research and innovation on EU policies. With the British exit from the European Union, the United Kingdom also had to leave Horizon. Since the beginning of this September, UK-based scientists and institutions can once again apply.
|
|
|
The German government will significantly increase funding for AI research and infrastructure. 500 million euros have been budgeted for 2024 alone. The AI Action Plan aims to address economic concerns by harnessing the potential of AI – Germany aspires to lead in global AI advancements, placing a strong emphasis on trustworthy AI and privacy as competitive advantages. The plan focuses on research initiatives, fostering economic growth through enhanced AI infrastructure and promoting AI adoption in various sectors such as healthcare and education.
(In German)
|
|
|
Upcoming events
|
|
SPOTLIGHT
12. – 17.11.
NOV 2023 · DENVER / USA & ONLINE
|
|
|
23.11.
NOV 2023 · GHENT / BELGIUM
|
|
|
7. & 8.12.
DEC 2023 · ONLINE
|
|
|
SPOTLIGHT
10. – 16.12.
DEC 2023 · NEW ORLEANS / USA & ONLINE
|
|
|
|
Your turn!
Take a guess: how much will generative AI change the way you work within the next three years?
|
|
Let’s stay in touch
Get updates about research career options and funding opportunities in Germany, the latest research news, interesting research projects and upcoming events.
|
|
|
|
|
