Einstein Center of Catalysis approved

The Einstein Foundation Berlin has now approved the new Einstein Center of Catalysis (EC2), which serves as a complementary addition to the recently approved Excellence Cluster Unifying Systems in Catalysis (UniSysCat) in supporting early-career researchers. This provides approximately 8.4 million euros until 2025 for interdisciplinary research projects at the interface of chemical and biological catalysis. The focus of EC2 will be the funding of the further-developed graduate school BIG-NSE, which emerged from the predecessor cluster UniCat.

The international graduate school has made a name for itself beyond Berlin and offers outstanding research opportunities for young scientists. Under the umbrella of EC2, the interdisciplinary concept of BIG-NSE will now be significantly expanded. Future doctoral students will conduct projects that connect the scientific objectives of the Excellence Cluster UniSysCat and other research networks in Berlin. With this and other initiatives to promote international and interdisciplinary exchange, the Einstein Center of Catalysis primarily aims to foster interdisciplinary collaboration among the various research groups in Berlin.

"We want to optimally prepare young scientists through this interdisciplinary training within an established top network encompassing almost all relevant research institutions working with catalysis in the Berlin area, for their professional careers both within and outside of academia," said Dr. Peter Hildebrandt, Professor of Physical Chemistry and Biophysical Chemistry at TU Berlin, who has now been confirmed as the spokesperson for EC2 by the new board of UniSysCat. Prof. Dr. Maria Andrea Mroginski (TU Berlin) was elected as the deputy spokesperson of EC2. The board of EC2 also includes Prof. Dr. Holger Dau (FU Berlin), Prof. Stefan Hecht, Ph.D. (HU Berlin), Prof. Dr. Janina Kneipp (HU Berlin), Prof. Dr. Adam Lange (FMP Berlin), Dr. Oliver Lenz (TU Berlin), Prof. Dr. Kallol Ray (HU Berlin), Prof. Dr. Reinhard Schömäcker (TU Berlin), and Prof. Dr. Johannes Teichert (TU Berlin).