Next-Generation Process Systems Engineering Stars
Call for Early Career Investigators to a DFG-funded Process Systems Engineering Workshop
The workshop for Early Career Investigators aims at training talented young researchers in writing successful proposals to the DFG, and more specifically, in submitting them under the Subject Area 4.21-05 “Process Systems Engineering” (PSE). To enable synergy as well as to balance breadth versus focus, we encourage participants with a background in i) the core of PSE or in ii) broader Chemical Engineering and/or Process Engineering (Verfahrenstechnik) wanting to move towards PSE.
Background
PSE is an internationally established research field, which also has a long history in Germany. Within the DFG, it was recently introduced as a subject area within the review board 4.21. Currently, there is a shortage of early career investigators with a potential to become leaders in PSE within the next few years, as well as some confusion about the definition of PSE. The workshop aims to address these problems by attracting and training the next generation. This generational transition is expected to ultimately help with the much-needed structural transition of the chemical industry, especially in Germany.
Structure of the Workshop
We are offering a unique opportunity: several internationally leading PSE professors as well as experts from research management will guide and mentor the participants. The main element of the workshop is a one-week in-person meeting in June 2027 in Aachen. Additionally, we will offer video-conference group seminars and 1-1 coaching. The goal is that all participants submit a proposal to the DFG under the Research Grants Programme (Sachbeihilfe) by October 2027. The proposals are to be evaluated collectively in a special review panel in early 2028. For more details of the programme, please refer to (externer Link).
The workshop is organised by Alexander Mitsos and the laboratory for Process Systems Engineering (AVT.SVT) at RWTH Aachen. It will cover important topics, including:
setting up a strategy and a vision,
techniques for writing successful proposals,
being a successful academic,
internationalisation and networking, and
an overview of funding opportunities.
Participation is free of charge, including lunch and coffee breaks. A child support is offered. Travel and accommodation costs need to be covered, ideally by your current or future employer, or otherwise by you. Up to three participants from abroad will also receive funding for travel and accommodation.
After the end of the workshop, participants will finalise their project proposals with the support of their mentors. Proposals must be submitted by 5 October 2027. Proposals are to be submitted solely via the (externer Link) to ensure proposal-related data is recorded and documents are securely transmitted. When preparing your proposal, please refer to the guidelines ((interner Link)).
If this is the first time you are submitting a proposal to the DFG, please note that you must register in the elan portal before you can submit your proposal. You must do so by 28 September 2027. You will normally receive confirmation of your registration by the next working day.
Application and Admission
Admission to the workshop is competitive. If you want to be considered, please submit the material described at (externer Link) by 31 January 2027. A committee of three PSE professors led by Alexander Mitsos will select the participants among the applicants.
A necessary criterion for admission is being considered as an early career investigator by the DFG. The key selection criteria are i) academic excellence, ii) suitability for the workshop and iii) novelty of the proposal topic.
Equity and Diversity
The DFG strongly welcomes proposals from researchers of all genders and sexual identities, from different ethnic, cultural, religious, ideological or social backgrounds, from different career stages, types of universities and research institutions, and with disabilities or chronic illness. With regard to the subject-specific focus of this call, the DFG encourages female researchers in particular to submit proposals.
Further Information
Please find detailed information at (externer Link)
When submitting proposals, please use the (externer Link) and refer to the respective guideline ((interner Link)).
The (interner Link) may also be helpful.
Contact Persons at the DFG Head Office
Programme contact: (externer Link), (interner Link), Tel. +49 228 885-2971
Administrative contact: (externer Link), (interner Link), Tel. +49 228 885-2293
Privacy Policy
We, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation), take the protection of your personal data and its confidential treatment extremely seriously. Therefore, please refer to the DFG’s (interner Link). If you intend to transmit personal data of third parties, please make sure to do so only if the necessary legitimation under data protection law exist. Before transmitting data of third parties to the DFG, please forward the DFG’s Data Protection Notice to the individuals affected (data subjects). If there is a legitimate interest not to inform individuals beforehand (e.g. for reasons of secrecy or in case of a nomination or candidate proposal), these individuals should be informed no later than at the time of publication.