The profile of Forschungszentrum Jülich

Forschungszentrum Jülich makes a vital contribution to solving major challenges facing society in the fields of information, energy, and bioeconomy. It focuses on the future of information technologies and information processing, complex processes in the human brain, the transformation of the energy system, and a sustainable bioeconomy. Forschungszentrum Jülich develops simulation and data sciences as a key research method and makes use of large, often unique, scientific infrastructures. Its work spans a range of topics and disciplines and it exploits synergies between the research areas. With some 6,100 employees, Jülich–a member of the Helmholtz Association–is one of Europe's large research centres.

We believe that the key to solving global challenges, such as energy supply technologies or for information technologies of the future, is understanding materials. We investigate materials in the context of systems and processes on different scales, from the atomic to the global level. In this way, we embed our research in the wider context, taking into consideration not only scientific questions, but also social, economic, and ethical issues.

In cooperation with our partners, we develop and use key technologies, such as high-performance computing, to open the door to new applications. In this process, research questions and technological developments are inextricably linked with each other.
We are involved in developing completely new industries, such as the bioeconomy, on the basis of our fundamental scientific research facilitated by our interdisciplinary and international approach.

About 6,796 employees, over 200 cooperation partners in Germany and abroad, a unique infrastructure, and unrivalled expertise in physics, materials science, nanotechnology, and information technology – this is the potential that we exploit in working with future key technologies to develop new solutions in the areas of energy and environment, information and brain research.

Excellent researchers who cooperate across the borders of institutes, research centres, and even countries are Jülich’s greatest strength. In order to allow them to collaborate with leading partners throughout the world, Jülich participates in strategic alliances both in Germany and abroad.

Young scientists, undergraduates, and PhD students are central to the intellectually stimulating environment and vitality of the campus. Jülich offers them a working environment with state-of-the-art instruments and international contacts, as well as the opportunity to research independently at an early stage of their career.

Forschungszentrum Jülich is proud of the tools it provides for its researchers to do their work: simulation with supercomputers, research with neutrons, imaging techniques for medicine, nanotechnology tools – these modern instruments facilitate breakthroughs to new horizons of knowledge. This infrastructure, valued and used by researchers throughout the world, characterizes Jülich as the home of key technologies.