“Trying out is research”

Mr G¨¹nther, what is ETH¡¯s strategy for preparing junior researchers for a career in science and industry?
Detlef G¨¹nther: ETH Zurich supports talent at all levels, from students and doctoral students to assistant professorships. It is important that we prepare young scientists for an international career and motivate them through support. Creative and critically thinking talented people should be able to develop into leaders both in the academic world and in industry. The international research environment and top infrastructure at ETH Zurich open up good opportunities for a career in a globally competitive environment.

If the international environment supports researchers at the beginning of their careers, then why is ETH Zurich also investing in its own funding scheme?
Internal research funding is part of the DNA, the essence of ETH. We have always ensured that our own funding programme complements and fills the gaps of national and international schemes to promote young talent. ETH¡¯s funding opportunities pave the way for young researchers to assume individual responsibility early on, so they can exploit their potential and shape their future. Infrastructure is one prerequisite, but good ideas emerge in the exchange between talent and faculty. Promotion of this exchange is important to me. I firmly believe that there are many superstars at ETH who are so fascinated by science that their inner drive and curiosity propel them to conduct excellent projects. Since 2010, for example, the ETH Fellows Programme has enabled 200 young researchers to spend time at ETH Zurich. I see how our talent use the fellowship to shape their careers.

Which aspects does ETH Zurich emphasise when promoting up-and-coming researchers?
It¡¯s difficult for researchers at the beginning of their career to obtain funds from national and international funding schemes, as they still lack much of a track record. This is where we come in with targeted support for excellent ideas. We also consciously support interdisciplinary and outcome-oriented research projects, for which other funding institutions rarely award funds. Young researchers should try something new. That is the beauty of science: some projects lead to great results, while others are not a great success. We have to admit that as part of the support. To try something out is an essential part of research.

What is the key to success in promoting up-and-coming researchers?
What is success in science? What counts more: a publication or a patent? The key does not lie in yesterday, but in the day before yesterday. When it comes to promotion of young talent, the quick success that people would like these days cannot be bought. You have to think ahead. Let it build up slowly over the years. And stick to your values. For example, ETH has been supporting spin-offs for nearly 20 years, and more than 20 spin-offs have been founded at ETH every year since 2007. It¡¯s important that we maintain international mobility and ensure that access to the European promotion of young talent remains open from 2017.

In March, you are launching the ETH Zurich Career Seed Grant for researchers at the beginning of their careers. What goals do you have in mind?
This funding format is aimed at postdoctoral researchers and senior assistants employed at ETH. They are at a phase in their careers in which they need to deepen their knowledge and conduct their own research. We want to support them with a grant of CHF 50,000, so that they can conduct a research project of their own alongside their normal tasks.

What effect do you anticipate the ETH Career Seed Grant will have on the career development of young researchers?
By enabling them to conduct their own project, we are giving young researchers the opportunity to take a further step towards a career in science or industry. I would also like to see the funding contribute to increased interaction among professors and postdoc researchers in terms of career development possibilities.

To what extent does the new instrument encourage research and innovation?
With the ETH Career Seed Grant, we support project ideas from basic research to applied research. It is not, however, a funding instrument to develop business ideas or innovative products. For that, we have the Pioneer Fellowships. In areas such as energy or world food, we also have the Partnership Councils. At these expert meetings, postdoctoral researchers are able to present their projects to industry partners. This is like a job interview for our talented people ¨C and it connects industry directly to the next generation and their ideas. We support both sides, as the struggle for a well-trained workforce will increase in the coming years.