Management Structure

The Spokesperson of SpaceLife is Prof. Dr. R. Gerzer, director of the DLR Institute of Aerospace Medicine (Figure).

The Coordinator Dr. C. Hellweg, scientist in the Radiobiology department of the Institute, coordinates the activities of SpaceLife (applicants’ selection, curriculum, evaluation, public relations).

The Secretary assists the coordinator in all administrative processes of SpaceLife, including setup of the Research School webpage, organization of the curriculum, and support for the doctoral students (visa application, living space).

The thesis Supervisors at the DLR and the partner universities and scientists who conduct courses in the Research School form the SpaceLife Faculty. All faculty members will be invited for a kick-off meeting before start of the Research School and for subsequent annual meetings.

During the kick-off meeting, a Faculty Panel of five members will be elected, and the curriculum of SpaceLife will be determined. The Faculty Panel will form the Selection Committee during the interview week and will assist the Spokesperson and the Coordinator in the selection process.

The doctoral candidates in SpaceLife will have an employment or scholarship contract with the DLR or the partner universities or a scholarship contract with SpaceLife. The Doctoral Candidates will enrol at the respective university and apply for admission to doctoral studies. The doctoral candidate writes together with the supervisors a synopsis of the doctoral thesis containing the name of the student, the names and institutions of the Supervisors and of the Mentor, title and description of the thesis, start of the thesis, and a work plan including milestones, risk assessment and alternatives. The approval of the University Supervisor to accept the candidate as doctoral student will be forwarded to the SpaceLife Coordinator.

The doctoral students elect a Doctoral Spokesperson during the first Students’ Workshop. The Doctoral Spokesperson participates in meetings of the Faculty Panel or the full SpaceLife Faculty. In conflict situations, the Mentor and the Doctoral Spokesperson develop a solution together with the doctoral student and the Supervisors.