Women at DLR

Be a female scientist, technician or expert at DLR – because you are who you are

Developing technologies, enabling research, helping to shape the future — as a scientist or specialist, you can pursue your tasks at DLR with innovation and passion. Because with us, you can focus all your energy on working in a unique environment.

And like Stefanie de Graaf, Prasanna Ponnusamy or Nadine Laska, you can carry out pioneering work in the fields of aeronautics, space, energy, transport, security and digitalisation. You can find out more about them below.

How does that sound? And there’s more.

DLR stands for the greatest possible freedom in research, for individual training opportunities and for the compatibility of work, family and private life. Diversity, respect and appreciation are central to us. We organise our research and project work in a gender-sensitive way.

Individual support, flexible working (time) models, appreciation

Your development is particularly important to us. We support you in recognising your strengths and talents and developing them in a targeted manner. In addition to a diverse and extensive range of seminars for further development, we also support you individually because we want even more highly qualified women like you to participate in cutting-edge research in Germany in the future or make it possible.

Further training opportunities – tailored to you

  • Wide range of courses, including communication and leadership training specifically for women
  • DLR Talent Management Programme
  • DLR Mentoring
  • Workshops in the series ‘DLR ChancenReich – Initiative for female careers (and more)’
  • DLR_Graduate_Program for doctoral students
  • Support for participation in international conferences and research stays in Germany and abroad

Prasanna, for example, is constantly developing her talents at the Institute for Software Technology: "My interests were encouraged and have made me the person I am today." In addition to the diversity and freedom in research, she is particularly fond of the working conditions at DLR: "I appreciate the collaboration, flexibility, independence and work-life balance that DLR offers, as well as the generous support for various conferences and workshop visits to keep us up to date."

Thanks to the flexible working hours, Nadine, who works at the Institute of Materials Research, can optimise her personal needs to meet the requirements of her project work – and thus continue to devote herself fully to her tasks: "Before the home office arrangement at DLR, I could only work part-time, but thanks to the flexibility I have gained, I have recently returned to full-time employment, as I can reconcile my working hours with childcare and also eliminate the often time-consuming commute to DLR on a daily basis. This has also opened up career opportunities for me that would have been unthinkable."

And with Stefanie and Astrid, we have two more dedicated employees on board, for whom DLR offers ideal conditions for pursuing their projects.

Female networks

Female colleagues and scientists at DLR join forces in networks! They create valuable forums for dialogue and mutual support.

Just as important to us is maintaining your health and performance. To this end, we offer you numerous flexible working time models as well as support services for childcare and family members in need of care. After taking leave, you can expect a structured return to work. We also offer a wide range of sports and health programmes (including online) to keep you physically and mentally fit. Your work-life balance is very important to us!

Working (time) models at DLR

Mobile working:

Mobile working is now recognised as a working model of equal value to working at the DLR site. As a rule, up to 80 percent is possible here — provided the work content is suitable. The advantage of this working model is its high degree of flexibility, so that professional and private interests can be optimally reconciled.

Flexitime models :

Comprehensive flexitime offers allow you to determine how you allocate your working hours on your own as far as possible and thus organise your working day to suit your needs.

Part-time work:

Certain phases of life might require reducing your working hours (daily or weekly). There are different labour law bases for this. DLR will accommodate you as far as possible within this framework.

Management models:

We are not only flexible when it comes to working hours — management positions can also be organised flexibly, for example part-time or with a dual leadership team.

Work-life balance

  • Equal opportunities-orientated and family-conscious personnel policy
  • Flexible working (time) models
  • Internal family counselling centre
  • Comprehensive counselling and placement services relating to childcare and relatives in need of care via an external cooperation partner
  • A wide range of opportunities in the area of health promotion
  • Extensive sports programme

By signing the Diversity Charter, DLR has committed itself to creating a working environment that is characterised by mutual respect and appreciation and is free from prejudice. Our family-friendly personnel policy, which is geared towards equal opportunities and diversity, is regularly recognised – for example, since 2004 with the TOTAL E-QUALITY award.

Would you also like to contribute your expertise and innovative strength to DLR ?