Junior research groups are part of research units. They dedicate themselves to novel approaches and questions regarding a clearly defined topic for a limited period and thus expand the existing research portfolio.
This new personnel development instrument introduces postdoctoral researchers to leadership tasks: They assume the professional leadership for a clearly defined topic area and the content-related supervision of junior researchers in the group. In their leadership role, they also have personnel responsibility for the staff of the junior research group and can thus gain initial personnel management experience. By being entrusted with responsibility for a manageable number of staff, researchers can acquire essential skills that they would otherwise often be denied when pursuing an academic career. Generally, personnel management only becomes relevant when researchers assume a chair at a university, as the opportunities to gain leadership skills in other ways prior to that are limited. Heading a junior research group prepares researchers for the gradual assumption of more responsibility, including in personnel matters, and allows them to gain relevant knowledge and practical experience in this field.
