EWE Foundation and University present award for the third time

For the third time, the EWE Foundation, in co-operation with the University of Oldenburg, is presenting the Helene Lange Prize to outstanding young female researchers. The nationwide call for entries for the prize, which carries a cash award of 10,000 euros, is open to young female researchers in the natural sciences, mathematics, Computing Science and engineering. Applications must be submitted by 15 March 2012. The winner will be selected by a jury of distinguished experts. The award ceremony will take place on 3 May 2012.

Studies show that qualified women remain significantly under-represented in leadership positions in science and industry to this day. With the Helene Lange Prize, the EWE Foundation and the University of Oldenburg aim to highlight this issue and pay special tribute to the achievements of outstanding female scientists.

Last year’s prize winners were Prof. Dr Sarah Köster (born 1979), Courant Research Centre for Physics at the University of Göttingen, as well as Prof. Dr Hannah Markwig (born 1980), now Professor of Mathematics at Saarland University, and Dr Dai Zhang (born 1977), a physicist at the University of Tübingen.

Candidates should have completed their studies with an outstanding doctoral degree and have opted for an academic career, but not yet have been appointed to a full professorship. In addition to work on pioneering research projects, the profile of the 2012 Helene Lange Prize winner also includes relevant publications and teaching experience. The detailed requirements and the online application form can be found at www.helene-lange-preis.de.

The prize is named after Helene Lange, who was born in Oldenburg in 1848 and dedicated her life to improving the education system. She is regarded as one of the most important pioneers of girls’ and women’s education in Germany.