Interdisciplinary Research Centers at TU Dortmund University
New ideas need new forms.
At TU Dortmund University, cutting-edge research takes place in all departments - often across their boundaries. Collaborative research innovations are created when individual excellence is brought together and disciplinary boundaries are crossed. Particularly successful, interdisciplinary collaborations with a strong scientific profile should therefore be made visible as research centers.
Research centers are interdisciplinary, cross-faculty alliances of researchers at TU Dortmund University whose innovative joint research approach sets an international standard. The centers shape the German and international research landscape and further develop the profile of TU Dortmund University. New research topics are established and receive special external visibility.
Research Centers at TU Dortmund University
The TU Dortmund University - Center for Data Science and Simulation (DoDaS) bundles the two virtual centers DoDSc and DoWiR into an interdisciplinary lighthouse that coordinates and further develops the two scientific branches Data Science and Simulation Science in their requirements for research, teaching and transfer.
It pursues the following goals:
- Elaboration of strategically overarching recommendations for the development of the data and simulation-centered sciences at TU Dortmund University;
- Coordination and cross-linking of common research topics and the acquisition of third-party funding;
- Promotion, coordination and establishment of an offer for data and simulation-centered teaching and continuing education, including an extensive data literacy offer;
- Scientific support of research data management;
- Offer a central point of contact and scientific support for all departments on data and simulation-centered research issues;
- Coordination and planning of infrastructure and central computing resources;
- modern support of young scientists, among other things through own doctoral supervision and transfer.
As a cross-faculty research center, the Center for Data Science and Simulation links all departments and areas of TU Dortmund University where (simulation) data occur, are generated and analyzed. This includes the mathematical, statistical, and computer science disciplines, natural science and engineering subjects, and the life, cultural, social, and educational sciences. This gives TU Dortmund University a central research-led structure for communicating and managing the digitization of the science sector.
In DAEDALUS, the proven expertise and resources in the field of spectroscopy and cross-scale material dynamics are bundled in terms of expertise and personnel. The research center pursues the following goals:
- Developing strategic recommendations for the development of research in the field of spectroscopy and materials science at TU Dortmund University.
- Joint acquisition of third-party funding to promote research, young researchers and infrastructure.
- Pooling and coordination of existing expertise in the field of spectroscopy for cross-scale material dynamics at TU Dortmund University and partner institutions.
- Promotion of interdisciplinary scientific exchange between the disciplines involved at all levels from professorships to young researchers, e.g. through interdisciplinary colloquia.
- Acting as a central point of contact for all interested parties with scientific questions in the field of spectroscopy and materials science.
- Making visible and positioning the central research topics of the research center at TU Dortmund University and in the national and international research landscape.
Cross-scale material dynamics have become one of the central interdisciplinary research questions and spectroscopy methods have proven to be a central tool for the experimental investigation of the topic - both in basic research and in applied sciences. With DAEDALUS as an interdisciplinary exchange platform and central point of contact for corresponding scientific questions, TU Dortmund University is creating a nationally and internationally visible beacon in this field of research.
Agile PAIR brings together the expertise and resources for prevention and intervention research at TU Dortmund University. Interdisciplinary teams develop innovative designs for agile prevention and intervention measures and new evaluation strategies based on complex data structures and put them into practice. The research center pursues the following goals:
a) Developing strategic recommendations for the further development of agile prevention and intervention research and the associated quantitative methods at TU Dortmund University.
b) Joint acquisition of third-party funding to promote research and early-career researchers and infrastructure.
c) Pooling and coordinating existing expertise in the field of agile prevention and intervention research and the associated quantitative methods at TU Dortmund University and partner institutions.
d) Promoting interdisciplinary scientific exchange between the disciplines involved at all levels.
e) Functioning as a central point of contact for all interested parties with scientific questions in the field of agile prevention and intervention research and the associated quantitative methods.
f) Raising awareness and positioning the central research topics of the research center at TU Dortmund University and in the national and international research landscape.
Agile intervention and prevention measures contribute to greater educational equity, health, and social participation. Their further development and innovations in the associated research practice are essential in view of the challenges posed by demographic change, globalization, and limited resources. Agile PAIR aims to contribute to sharpening the research profile of TU Dortmund University and, in the medium term, to take on a leading role in its field at the national and international level.
Research Centers of the UA Ruhr
Since 2015, Ruhr University Bochum, TU Dortmund University and the University of Duisburg-Essen have been pooling their expertise in the three fields of particle, astro and plasma physics at the Ruhr Astroparticle and Plasma Physics Center in order to better understand the fundamental laws and properties of the universe.
- Spokesperson: Prof. Dr. Dr. Wolfgang Rhode, Department of Physics
Research Alliance Ruhr
In order to bundle top international research, the UA Ruhr 2021 has also established four Research Centers and a College for Social Sciences and Humanities under the umbrella of the Research Alliance Ruhr.
The Research Center investigates the fundamental mechanisms of health and disease from the molecular level to higher-level systems. The ecosystem serves as a context, so that the complex interactions between environmental health, animal health and human health are also taken into account in the sense of the „One Health“ concept.
The Research Center aims to gain a molecular understanding of chemical reactions, processes and products. The aim is to develop innovative, environmentally friendly and economically competitive technological applications in chemistry, building materials and pharmaceuticals. The “RESOLV” cluster of excellence in particular is an expression of the research strength in this area.
The Research Center focuses on the trustworthiness of intelligent systems in safety-critical applications. Through a unique human-centered research approach, the entire interdisciplinary research spectrum of trustworthy data analysis, explainable machine learning and privacy-aware algorithms is covered. The UA Ruhr demonstrates its research strength in this area with the Cluster of Excellence “CASA”.
The Research Center aims to develop new, urgently needed materials for energy production, energy conversion, energy storage and energy transport in a targeted, rapid and sustainable manner. The aim is to understand the fundamental properties and relevant processes involved in the production and use of complex materials and thus to develop building blocks for a sustainable energy system. At the same time, energy-intensive methods of material production and processing are to be replaced by regenerative processes.
As an Institute for Advanced Study, the College for Social Sciences and Humanities promotes excellent research in the humanities and social sciences and advances the international networking of the University Alliance Ruhr (UA Ruhr). The research college offers scope for the development and realization of innovative research projects and sees itself as a driving force for interdisciplinary exchange and collaboration.
Apply for research centers
Research centers are created on the initiative of their members and are established after thorough evaluation by the rectorate. The duration is 5 years each and can be extended after evaluation. During this time, centers are supported by central funds and a proportionate coordination office.
Future research centers already have an international reputation at the time of application and show an established cooperation documented by funding or publications. The collaborations include at least five researchers from different departments of TU Dortmund University, whose work covers at least three DFG review boards. Dr. Gunter Friedrich provides advice on setting up and submitting applications.
The application template can be found here in the ServicePortal (Login required)
Setup criteria
- Interdisciplinary and innovative in research topics and connections beyond existing strengths and "top topics" of TU Dortmund University.
- Cross-faculty and involving at least three subject groups (according to the DFG review board system)
- Proven scientific excellence of the central participants
- Spokesperson with experience in coordinating larger third-party funded projects
- Potential for and goal of acquiring larger research collaborations
- Convincing SWOT analysis with regard to potential for the overall profile development of TU Dortmund University