Karin Jacobs: New term secured as Vice President of the DFG!

Karin Jacobs: New term secured as Vice President of the DFG!

Prof. Dr. Karin Jacobs is an outstanding scientist in experimental physics who was re-confirmed as Vice President of the German Research Foundation (DFG) on July 2, 2025. She will be re-elected to the top of the DFG together with Peter Seeberger, a renowned director at the Max Planck Institute for Colloids and Interfaces in Potsdam, and Caren Sureth-Sloane, who was elected to the executive board for the first time. Jacobs, who has been Vice President since 2021, will serve in this position for another six years, underscoring her central role in the German scientific landscape. uni-saarland.de reports that in her first term in office she was particularly committed to supporting scientists who are in early career phases.

Jacobs, who received her doctorate summa cum laude from the University of Konstanz in 1997, has made a name for herself not only in academic teaching, but also in science administration. From 2006 to 2012 she worked for the DFG Senate Committee for Collaborative Research Centers and took on various leadership roles within the DFG. From 2016, she was a member of several important commissions, including the Science Council's Evaluation Commission and the Expert Panel for the Excellence Strategy. Her extensive experience and commitment to science have made Jacobs a recognized expert in her field. dfg.de particularly emphasizes her role as a representative of the DFG.

Commitment to gender equality

Jacobs’ vision also extends to the necessary promotion of gender equality in science. The DFG sees this as one of its main tasks, which is reflected in various initiatives to support female researchers. Measures include reducing committee work for women and promoting special programs to attract female research talent. Measures to take individual life situations into account, such as child care, are also central aspects of their agenda. These strategies are crucial to creating a gender-sensitive scientific culture. deutschland.de shows the relevance of such approaches in today's research.

In 2025, Karin Jacobs will also be active as co-editor of the Physics Journal of the German Physical Society, which further strengthens her commitment to science and the communication of academic results. Her numerous memberships in professional associations and her role as a mentor make it clear how important it is to her to promote young talent and exchange within the scientific community.

With her impressive career, which spans position changes from Saarland University to leading research institutions, Jacobs brings both scientific expertise and decades of experience in science organization to her new term of office. Her commitment to advancing gender equality in science remains a central part of her agenda as she dedicates herself to creating a more creative and inclusive research community.