Innovative Structure
Flexible backbone
Flexible structures that consistently provide the necessary support for new ideas: this is the recipe for RUB’s research success. They provide a backbone for research without restricting these initiatives. The elements of the Research Campus RUB are intertwined and promote the networking of scientists from different career stages and disciplines.
Research Departments (RD)
RUB’s research priorities are consolidated in Research Departments (RD). RDs are flexible units that form bridges across disciplinary borders and pool existing excellence in interdisciplinary research. RDs maintain close links to non-university research institutions and international partners, and form a basis for the establishment of substantial collaborative research projects.
RUB Research School (RUB-RS)
The RUB Research School (RUB-RS) offers RUB’s most talented doctoral researchers an innovative platform for early research independence, cross-disciplinary development, and leadership training. The Research School also fosters international mobility and collaboration while helping researchers pursue their cutting-edge research projects.
Mercator Research Groups (MRG)
One of the main aims of RUB’s policies is to support the advancement of early career researchers. RUB has set up a novel and unique format that opens up avenues for collaboration and independence for early career researchers: the Mercator Research Groups (MRG). MRGs are autonomous teams consisting of three or four early career researchers who work jointly on a defined, interdisciplinary research field. They receive ample funds to finance their infrastructure, research, and doctoral researchers, which can also be used to invite high-ranking senior researchers for extended periods of time to act as mentors and collaborators.
