Supporting and developing Young Researchers (YORE) – doctoral researchers and postdocs – is a central component of the Research Unit CORE. With researchers from 16 disciplines, five institutions, and a strong network of 12 international Principal Co-Investigators and cooperation partners, CORE provides an exceptionally rich environment for interdisciplinary and international early-career research.
Our YORE strategy combines individual supervision, interdisciplinary exchange, international networking, independent research funding, publication support, and career development.These measures complement the established structures of JGU Mainz, GU Frankfurt, LMU Munich, RUB Bochum, and DIPF, Frankfurt, and are designed to provide all YOREs with opportunities to develop their scientific profile, expand their methodological expertise, and build sustainable national and international research networks.
Since the beginning of the funding period, CORE has established and continuously expanded a structured portfolio of YORE activities. All measures are openly advertised and accessible to YOREs across the Research Unit.
A structured environment for scientific development
Supervision, mentoring and scientific exchange
All YOREs receive regular individual supervision within their respective projects from Principal Investigators and supervisors of their qualification work. This project-level supervision is complemented by interdisciplinary research colloquia held each semester, where YOREs present their ongoing work and receive feedback from researchers across CORE.
CORE also provides targeted opportunities for individual mentoring and scientific coaching. These include speed-coaching formats with international PIs and cooperation partners, as well as coaching and methodological workshops embedded in biannual CORE Roundtable meetings.
This combination of project-specific supervision and cross-project feedback enables YOREs to benefit from both close disciplinary guidance and broader interdisciplinary perspectives.
International networking and research exchange
Internationalization is a core element of the YORE program. CORE supports conference participation, summer schools, international research stays, and laboratory rotations. These opportunities allow YOREs to gain experience across research environments, acquire methodological expertise, and establish connections with researchers beyond their institution.
Lab rotations provide opportunities to work in other CORE projects and in the research environments of international PIs and cooperation partners. Travel and research-stay funding further enables YOREs to participate actively in international scientific communities rather than limiting internationalization to conference attendance.
CORE’s international research infrastructure provides a particularly strong setting for this development. International experts are involved in CORE’s research activities, Roundtables, coaching formats, and Research Advisory Board, creating repeated opportunities for YOREs to receive feedback and develop international research networks.
Independent research and publication development
CORE explicitly supports YOREs in moving from participation in project research towards independent scientific work. Since the call in February 2024, CORE has provided funding for individual YORE research projects. These projects are connected to the overarching research focus of CORE while extending beyond the scope of the main studies. Funding supports, for example, preparatory work for publications, including research assistance and project-related expenses.
YOREs are also supported throughout the publication process. Tailored mentoring, opportunities to contribute to symposia and cross-project activities, and integration into the wider CORE network help early-career researchers develop their publication profiles and increase their international visibility.
The development of independent research profiles is already reflected in concrete career achievements. By the autumn 2026, ten CORE doctoral researchers had successfully completed their dissertations, and two further doctoral completions are anticipated for winter 2026.
Equality, Diversity and Compatibility
CORE is committed to equal opportunities, diversity, and the compatibility of academic careers with family and care responsibilities. In accordance with the DFG Research-Oriented Equity and Diversity Standards, the participating institutions provide established structures and programs supporting equal opportunities and diversity. These include institutional services such as Career Services, appropriate employment and working conditions, and individual supports such as mentoring.
CORE complements these institutional structures through transparent access to its YORE activities and flexible formats for scientific exchange. CORE aims to provide consistent, transparent, and equitable conditions for the professional development of all early-career researchers, while taking individual careers and care responsibilities into account.
From structured support to scientific independence: CORE does not merely offer individual support measures - it provides a structured pathway from doctoral/postdoctoral training towards scientific independence.
Through this combination of structured support and opportunities for scientific independence, CORE seeks to equip its early-career researchers not only to successfully complete their qualification work, but also to develop independent scientific profiles and sustainable national and international research networks.
YORE as an active scientific community
YOREs are not only recipients of support but an active community within CORE. They contribute to the interdisciplinary exchange across projects, participate in CORE conferences and Roundtables, present their research, and engage with international experts.
The YORE community is represented by elected/appointed YORE spokespersons, Dr. Anna Horrer and Tobias Scherer, who facilitate communication among early-career researchers and contribute their perspectives to the development of CORE activities.
