Balancing career and family

Balancing a research career with family responsibilities is understood at Mathematics Münster as an integral dimension of academic life. MM’s guiding principle is that professional development and personal well‑being are mutually reinforcing: a thriving research environment is built on the premise that researchers can pursue high‑quality science while simultaneously caring for children, relatives, or other dependents.

This principle is supported at every level by the on‑site childcare room right (in the heard of MM) next to the Common Room, as well as adaptive funding structures that allow rapid reallocation of resources for teaching relief, parental‑leave extensions, or ad‑hoc sabbaticals such as the “Corona Family Sabbatical.”

The whole department strives to enhance the compatibility of academic work and family life with supportive measures.

Good-to-know beforehand

The Welcome Centre’s handbook for international researchers regarding family matters compiles very useful information (not only for internationals) including links to further relevant resources, such as choice of doctors or the parental allowance calculator: Family

>> The registration for attendance at a daycare facility at the beginning of the kindergarten and school year must be completed no later than January 31 of the same year.

Family-friendly university

The university's Family portal informs about activities and legal and financial aspects of family-related matters and provides an overview of the advisory offices of the University of Münster.

Family Service Office is an internal coordination and counselling office responsible for addressing the specific work-life challenges facing university staff. Family Service Office website

Further information is available in the intranet for university members.

Selected measures at Mathematics Münster

Kids' room
The Cluster maintains parent-child rooms at Orléans-Ring 10 on the ground floor next to the Common Room. Cluster members can use the parents' office while the little ones play next door. The kid's room is equipped with a changing table, washbasin, fridge, pretend play shop and a blackboard.

Childcare
At fixed times per week, experienced babysitters look after the children, who range in age from babies to primary school students. In addition, the scientists can book this service if required. Any participants of conferences hosted by the Cluster can also use the childcare for their children.

Travel assistance for childcare
For parents of small children, it is possible to take the child and a childminder with them on business trips in justified cases. Travel and accommodation costs will be paid for.