GSO visits COMSYS to Learn about the "Boost" Progress

Jan is supported through the GSO Boost Fund, funded by the Klaus Tschira Foundation. The program supports researchers in a crucial phase after their doctorate by helping them further develop their academic profile, strengthen their independence, and advance their long-term career perspectives. In particular, it also partly funds a PhD position and student assistants. At COMSYS, Johannes Lohmöller and Marlena Flüh contribute to the success of the project.

During the visit, Birte gained insights into the funded research project “Understanding the Boon and Bane of Synthetic Data Generation in Medicine,” the research environment at COMSYS, and the broader academic context in which the work is embedded. The exchange also focused on topics that are particularly relevant during the postdoctoral phase, including academic career planning, qualification pathways, research visibility, networking, and the structural conditions that shape scientific work.

In addition, Birte and Jan took the opportunity to meet with Dr. Sanne Maas from RWTH Aachen University Hospital, who is a fellow Boost Fund recipient. Their discussion provided a valuable opportunity to exchange experiences across disciplines and reflect on shared challenges and opportunities during the postdoctoral career stage.

As part of the visit, Birte also conducted an interview with Jan. In the interview, titled “Working with a Chronic Illness in Academia”, he shares personal experiences and perspectives on navigating academic life with a chronic illness. The conversation addresses the realities of managing a chronic condition in academia, the importance of supportive work environments, and the role of openness and awareness in making academic careers more inclusive and sustainable. A teaser is also available on LinkedIn.

COMSYS thanks Dr. Birte Seffert and GSO for the visit, the fruitful conversations, and the opportunities enabled by the funding.