DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers’ Networking Tour, 2019

The Postdoctoral Researchers’ Networking Tour 2019 offers insightful on-site visits to universities, research institutes and companies in the field of Industry 4.0, the German government’s initiative to promote the development of data-driven, AI-powered, and connected “smart factories”.

Germany is the fourth largest economy in the world and Europe’s largest industrial producer. In 2016 Germany’s industrial output totalled US$1.050 trillion (worldatlas.com). Researchers and industrial partners in Germany build on a profound and long-standing expertise in handling production processes, and on a wealth of data related to these processes. The existing data provides an ideal test bed for studying and integrating new digital and industrial processes. Research in this field is highly sought after and implementing these processes will be of critical importance for future industrial development. This is true not only for large companies but for enterprises of all sizes given that Germany’s industrial output depends to a large extent on a multitude of small and medium sized companies.

This year’s Postdoctoral Researchers’ Networking Tour offers a comprehensive and enjoyable opportunity to study important aspects of Industry 4.0, including the close cooperation between academy and industry as well as examples of practical implementation.

Traveling together throughout Germany, the tour’s participants will be offered a close look at the front line of state-of-the-art Industry 4.0 research. At the same time, the tour will inform about interesting research cooperation and employment opportunities. Participating researchers will be able to exchange their ideas with other participants from all over the world, with representatives from German academia and industry.

Eligibility

Applicants should have
- obtained their Ph.D./doctorate no longer than 5 years ago and have not been living in Germany or affiliated to a German institution within the previous 12 months;
- been researching in a subject area corresponding to the focus of the tour;
- demonstrated high productivity and quality in their scientific work. This should be clearly documented in the list of publications (journal/conference proceedings), patents and other achievements;
- a genuine interest in taking the next step in their career in Germany and be able to demonstrate this (e.g. former or current cooperation, specific career demands);
- exhibited drive and determination, initiative and a willingness to play a role in shaping the future.

Benefits
- a hands-on, practical, and rich program to suit the requirements of different participants;
- coverage of all program-related costs in Germany (accommodation, domestic travel, most meals);
- a lump sum travel allowance (for travel to Germany) if such costs are not covered by a third party. This will also be provided if the stay is extended by up to five working days in order to allow for additional professional networking.

For more information please visit the following link:
DAAD Postdoctoral Researchers’ Networking Tour, 2019