IAMO actively implements the equal opportunities concept and endeavors to safeguard and promote the reconciliation of one’s work and family life.

DFG gender equity standards

As a Leibniz institute, IAMO has committed itself to the "Research-oriented gender equity standards" of the German Research Foundation (DFG). The objective of promoting and furthering gender equity and family-friendliness at the institute has been incorporated into IAMO’s mission statement, gender equity concept and the in-house action plan for women and work.

Promotion of women in senior positions

IAMO enjoys an almost balanced gender distribution of its employees. This is an achievement, considering that especially women tend to de-prioritize their professional development when starting a family. In order to retain these talents, IAMO is pro-actively taking steps to offer family-friendly, fair, flexible and attractive careers. Special attention is placed on qualification measures aiming to prepare women for leading positions (e.g. project management, external funds coordination, research management).

In 2017 IAMO installed the position of an equality and diversity coordinator. The project FEM-Power – Promotion of gender equality for female scientists at IAMO is funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Land of Saxony-Anhalt and aims to increase the number of women in research. Equal employment is to be achieved across all levels of qualification (PhD students, post-docs, professors).

Family-friendly working conditions

Various measures and offers contribute to ensuring the compatibility of work and family life and creating a family-friendly working environment at the institute. Among others, these include:

• flexible working hours
• part-time positions
• alternating teleworking
• family-friendly scheduling of meetings, etc.
• individualized parental leave arrangements
• parent-child office
• mobile play boxes with age-appropriate toys for children ages 0-3 years and 4-8 years

Childcare information for IAMO staff members

• Daycare centre WeinbergKids, in close proximity to the institute.
• Childcare information for the City of Halle.
• Information from the City of Halle relating to school education and training opportunities.