Joining forces to secure young talent for rail transport

The “Agreement on joint railway-related training” comprises a series of measures to promote early-career researchers in railway research. The focus is on joint supervision of doctoral students. They will benefit from interdisciplinary expertise, a strong research network, and access to research infrastructure for their doctoral studies. Interdisciplinary continuing education programs and targeted career support are part of the package of measures designed to provide doctoral students with optimal support on their career path in the rail transport sector.

Creating synergies, pooling resources

In addition to promoting doctoral students, the cooperation partners have agreed on expanded collaboration in the areas of study and teaching. This will include supervising student research projects, arranging and supervising internships, and integrating expert lectures, teaching sessions, and conferences. Moreover, the partners intend to strengthen the joint use and development of research infrastructure such as the Integrated Railway Laboratory of the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, the ETCS laboratories of both institutions, and the Cyber Security Laboratory of the DZSF. In addition to closer cooperation in the areas of data collection and data exchange, the institutions also intend to take a joint approach when it comes to finding and applying for third-party funded projects.

Professor Regine Gerike, Dean of the Faculty of Transport and Traffic Sciences, welcomes the agreement: “The German Centre for Rail Traffic Research is another strong partner in our network of expertise. This cooperation also sends a signal to the railway world: Dresden is where tomorrow's rail transport experts are being trained.”

The parties to the agreement see the potential in the different structures, tasks, and resources of their institutions. Complementary contributions will enable synergies in the advancement of early-career researchers in railway research as well as joint research projects in the future.

Prof. Eckhard Roll, Director of the DZSF, emphasizes the importance of the future cooperation: “The training and promotion of young scientists is essential in order to meet the diverse requirements placed on rail transport today and in the future. With TU Dresden, we have a reliable partner at our side.”