Equal opportunities are an important element of PIK’s strategic decisions and applied scientific culture. Moreover, PIK regards the diversity of its employees with respect to gender, ethnic and social background, sexual orientation, religion and philosophy, age, physical and mental capacities as a chance to achieve an inspiring and productive overall atmosphere.
Of the total number of employees, 50 % (31-11-2025) are women. PIK has maintained this high percentage for years. Women account for 42% of the PhD students and 50% of postdocs. To increase the overall quota of women in senior positions, PIK agreed on ten measures promoting women in staff recruitment as well as on the way to an appointed professorship or other leading positions.
PIK has had an equal opportunities officer (EOO) and a deputy since 2006. Since 2010, Dr. Christine von Bloh is the institute's EOO and can dedicate 25% of her working time to this function. The EOO is assigned to the Board of Directors and has a budget for training and further education. Quirina Rodriguez Mendez is deputy EOO and responsible for Research Department 5 at the EUREF campus.
PIK's most recent Equality Concept for the years 2025 – 2027 embodies the institute's equal opportunities policy. The document determines equality goals and sets out quality management procedures to monitor the state of implementation. In 2025 PIK received the TOTAL E-QUALITY award for the sixth time. The jury acknowledged a successful equality policy at the institute. “The overall strategy of PIK is holistic, sustainable, and structurally oriented. The strategy is convincing through structural measures such as the continuously updated gender equality concept and a growing awareness of diversity in science. Target quotas and their consistent monitoring demonstrate the deep institutional anchoring of gender equality and diversity objectives.” These measures will be further expanded and strategically adjusted in the course of the institutional restructuring resulting from the merger with the Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change (MCC). Special recognition was given for the innovative measure of establishing a Women's Executive Board (WEB). This board, made up of women with management responsibility, is intended to strengthen the group's internal identity and act as a magnet for potential female applicants. For external visibility, the WEB has been included in the PIK organisation chart.
Equal opportunities officer:
Christine von Bloh
Phone: +49 331 288 2659
