Theoretical physicists in Mainz and Sao Paulo agree to cooperate in the promotion and mentoring of young researchers

Mainz Institute for Theoretical Physics signs cooperation agreement with the ICTP South American Institute for Fundamental Research in Brazil

06.12.2016

With the aim of promoting the exchange of the next generation of researchers, the Institute for Theoretical Physics (MITP) at Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) and the International Center for Theoretical Physics – South American Institute for Fundamental Research (ICTP-SAIFR) in Sao Paulo have signed a cooperation agreement, which is to enable young researchers to participate in events at the partner institution and allow for improved networking opportunities. Professor Matthias Neubert, Director of the MITP, is particularly pleased by the partnership with the Brazilian institute. "The scientific community in Brazil is very active, but due to their geographic location it is not always easy, especially for young researchers, to network and develop joint projects with European scientists," said Neubert.

The initial five-year phase of the agreement will involve the exchange of scientific staff in both directions, together with a series of joint events organized by the two institutes. The focus of ICTP-SAIFR is on providing workshops and intensive training for doctoral students and young academics. They also fund research visits by scientists. The institute, the only one of its kind in Brazil, cooperates with partner institutions worldwide.

The MITP in Mainz offers scientists and researchers from all over the world the opportunity to meet in Mainz to collaborate on research and discuss and initiate new projects. Around 400 guests visit the institute every year, most of whom stay for between two and four weeks, using the time to attend intensive workshops and participate in research programs.

The MITP is an institute within the JGU Excellence Cluster "Precision Physics, Fundamental Interactions and Structure of Matter" (PRISMA), which receives funding of some EUR 35 million through the current Excellence Initiative of the German federal and state governments.