All members of the Alliance are committed to provide equal opportunities for particle physicists at all stages. As in other fields of science we realise that, although the fraction of female PhD students is increasing, the fraction of female post-docs and professors is still marginal.
Without compromising in the scientific quality we will be working towards increasing the participation of female physicists in research. Based upon the well established procedures at the centres of the Helmholtz Gemeinschaft and the universities the hiring of personnel will be done with special attention to the goal of increasing the number of woman in science. To ensure this appropriate gender representation in selection boards will be assured in accordance with the equal opportunity commissioner of either a HGF centre or university. Furthermore we intend to give female physicists a high visibility and take particular care in supporting them in their careers
However, even if female scientists are selected and supported, we observe that a major obstacle lies in the role they adopt in families. We are therefore particularly committed to taking account the responsibilities and constraints of a young family, such that family and research become compatible, both for male and female scientists.
Apart from the fact that tenure track positions, which are one of the basic elements of this research proposal, will help to relieve young scientists from uncertainties about their future at a time when they normally establish a family, we foresee special funds to help young scientists to accommodate research and family in parallel.