At GerBI, we are committed to upholding high standards of good scientific practice, and have established a collaboration contract with Technical University (TU) Dresden based on their current guidelines (with the exception of the ombuds system which GerBI has set up individually (see below)). Responsibility for implementing these standards lies with our Board. All scientific and science-supporting staff are contractually required to follow these principles and to make them the foundation of their daily work. The full guidelines are publicly available and can be accessed here.
Ombudspersons
GerBI appoints two ombudspersons to support matters of good scientific practice. These individuals are selected by the GerBI Board, and suggestions from members are strongly encouraged. Ombudspersons may be either members of GerBI or external experts. They are appointed for a term of three years, with the possibility of one reappointment. Ombudspersons act as specified in the GerBI Ombudsordnung. The Ombudspersons appointed at the General Assembly 2026 are:
The ombudspersons can be contacted individually (use contact details below the respective images), or together via: ombudsperson@gerbi-gmb.de
In addition to the local ombudspersons, you can also contact the nationwide “Ombudsgremium für die wissenschaftliche Integrität in Deutschland” for guidance on research integrity.
Young Scientist Person of Trust
GerBI appoints a Person of Trust for early-career researchers, serving as a link between the ombudspersons and young scientists. The primary audience for this role is early-career researchers working at GerBI. The secondary audience includes GerBI and YMIA members, as well as external individuals who are not members of either organization. The trusted contact person provides guidance and support on matters of good scientific practice. The appointment is made by the GerBI Board, with suggestions from members welcome, for a term of three years. The Young Scientist Person of Trust appointed at the General Assembly 2026 is:
Header image: Arabidopsis Thaliana, Canon EOS 6D, Steffen Köhler, CAi, HHU
