The University of Hamburg and DESY have been cooperating closely for many years. To strengthen this cooperation, the two institutions have agreed on a strategic partnership – PIER, the Partnership for Innovation, Education and Research. Concentrating on four ground-breaking research fields, PIER aims to support young scientists, initiate joint research projects and simplify academic appointment procedures, in order to make Hamburg an even more attractive location for research.

PIER

Partnership for Innovation, Education and Research

A strategic partnership

The strategic partnership PIER encompasses four ground-breaking research fields: particle and astroparticle physics, nanosciences, photon science, and infection and structural biology. DESY and the University of Hamburg are already cooperating today very successfully in all these fields. PIER will further intensify these cooperations. To this end, the university and DESY set up a joint PIER office, which acts as a service and support agency. Its work concentrates on the six fields of action the PIER partners agreed on:

> Joint appointments: PIER coordinates joint appointment procedures for professors.
> Education and support of young scientists: A highest-level graduate school brings new talents to Hamburg.
> PIER ideas fund: The start-up funding helps to realize brilliant project proposals.
> Expert communication and events: Colloquia and summer academies promote communication and exchange between experts.
> Dialogue with society: PIER informs the public about its activities with events and newsletters.
> Economy and innovation: The PIER industry day will establish and strengthen contacts to companies especially from Northern Germany.