Studies have shown that many women scientists decide to leave the academic field after completing their PhD. While around 60% of doctoral researchers in biology are female, only about 29% of biology professors are women (Source: Equal Opportunities Monitoring 2024, DFG).

The reasons for this are diverse. Structural and institutional barriers, such as a lack of family-friendly work environments, implicit biases, gender stereotypes in academia, and a lack of role models, can discourage women from pursuing academic careers.

CEPLAS aims to address these barriers and increase the proportion of women in leading positions. We focus on promoting the careers of women scientists during the PhD, postdoctoral and group leader phases.

CEPLAS offers for women scientists include: