How to Attract – and Retain – Top Researchers for Austria and Europe

“The most decisive and strongest selling point for Europe will be its values.”

Energy security, national security, climate change, an aging population, digital threats, geopolitical tensions, isolationist tendencies, and rapidly accelerating technological development: Robbert Dijkgraaf began his keynote speech with a tour d'horizon through the current challenges facing Europe.

But the former science minister of the Netherlands and former director of the Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, who was elected as the new president of the International Science Council (ISC) in December, is optimistic: Only science can find the solutions to these challenges, and this is one of Europe’s greatest strengths. “Modern science is in many ways a gift from Europe to the world. It arose from this combination of cooperation and competition, from the diversity of views and networking with the rest of the world."

The real challenge for today’s Europe (and its ability to attract top researchers) is competitiveness, says Dijkgraaf. Europe must now strengthen what it already does so well – openness and plurality. Dijkgraaf offered several ideas on how to do this:

Intelligent specialization and cooperation

Complementarity and cooperation between institutions across regional and disciplinary boundaries should replace duplication.

(Risky) basic research 

“We shouldn't fall into the trap of supporting research that is neither free basic research nor really smart strategic research,” he said and pleaded for courage to take risks. Shared research infrastructure, for example, can minimize investment risks, acts as a magnet for top researchers, and ensures that any research that relies on this infrastructure (also) remains public research. “It is important to involve the private sector. We live in a time in which certain research is being shifted to the private sector. We see this in AI, in the biotech world, and perhaps soon in quantum research, too."

“Expansion” and openness

“How can science be expanded so that groups that do not currently feel they play a role in research and technology development feel welcome?” asked Dijkgraaf. The acceptance, attractiveness, and quality of science would benefit from opening up to society, to new forms of collaboration, to new partnerships, and to hybrid, non-linear careers. Ideally, this expansion of science would extend to all areas of society. “Many of the values of science are values that should also be values of our society Respect for facts, respect for uncertainty, respect for the fact that you know that you don't know something. I think these values are crucial to creating a productive, fruitful, and optimistic environment where researchers feel both welcome and supported. The decisive and strongest selling point for Europe will be its values.”

Security, autonomy, money – what does Europe need to offer researchers?

Is this expansion of the attitude towards science Dijkgraaf describes a feasible utopia? What specific steps should Europe take to become more attractive for cutting-edge research? What opportunities does a small country like Austria have? Moderated by Christof Gattringer, microbiologist and research group leader Stephanie J. Ellis, the CEO of Infineon Technologies Austria AG Sabine Herlitschka, the President of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA) Martin Hetzer, and the Deputy Secretary General of the VolkswagenStiftung Henrike Hartmann discussed these questions.

Stephanie J. Ellis is one of those top researchers Europe wants to attract. The microbiologist has won multiple awards for her work, including the FWF START Award in 2023. She heads her own research group at the Max Perutz Labs in Vienna and investigates the role of cell competition in tissue development. Ellis is also a professor at the University of Vienna. What brought her from the USA to Austria? Without a personal connection to Europe, Ellis might not have considered the Alpine republic when looking for a postdoc position from the USA five years ago. Europe is not necessarily on young researchers’ radar in the USA and Canada, she reported. Ellis was impressed by the cooperative nature of the research funding and Europe’s scientific discourse culture. The security of the professorship at the University of Vienna ultimately tipped the scales in Austria’s favor. “Without such a secure path towards a stable future, a successful research career is not possible. I think we need more of them to get people like me to put Austria on their radar.”

Infineon Technologies Austria is very successful in attracting international researchers: 2,500 of the semiconductor group’s 6,000 employees work in research and development, they offer more than 100 doctoral students the opportunity to start a research career, and the company maintains an active exchange with universities and other research institutions. “We are part of a living ecosystem,” says CEO Sabine Herlitschka. So what’s missing? Like Dijkgraaf, Herlitschka sees potential for more openness. “It is still too rare for researchers from the private sector to switch to university,” she said. “Successful innovation centers are more permeable in this respect.” 

Can corporate research be independent? From Sabine Herlitschka's point of view, it has to be, if only because technologies and markets are developing so quickly. This is why Infineon issues calls for €10 to 15 million in internal venture capital each year, which researchers can apply for to carry out their feasibility studies.

Permeability, openness, and autonomy are also part of the success of the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA). Like Infineon, which is based in Villach in Carinthia, ISTA’s Klosterneuburg site is also less central. Scientists from 79 nations pursue their research questions there with very few restrictions and attract other researchers: Last year alone, 1,700 scientists applied to work there. Openness is specifically encouraged at ISTA. Martin Hetzer, President of the ISTA, cited this example: “We currently have around 470 doctoral students. Before they can choose a lab for their doctorate, they have to rotate between different labs. And this is a wonderful tool for young students who come to us with a specific idea. The rotation confronts them with questions and methods that they don't already know. And so they either change direction or start collaborations between two labs. This encourages interaction and exchange.”

Henrike Hartmann is Deputy Secretary General of the VolkswagenStiftung, one of the most important international research funding organizations. Outstanding research and development depends on researchers being prepared to go abroad. “Excellent research needs personal contact,” she said. However, Hartmann has observed that fewer and fewer researchers are prepared to accept the hypermobility that goes hand in hand with a career in top-level research. “The German Research Foundation has seen a 50% drop in applications for the USA,” reported Hartmann. This development should encourage us to rethink familiar structures and create more opportunities for shorter research stays, for example. “Work-life balance is extremely important. So far, we have made it particularly difficult for female scientists to pursue their careers and be mobile.”

Christof Gattringer concluded by calling on the panel discussion participants to add one – and only one – piece of advice for research institutions, funding, or policy.

Robbert Dijkgraaf

“Put yourself in the position of the researcher: How would you rate your facility? Are you creative? Intellectually honest?”

Henrike Hartmann

“Enable freedom and offer support.”

Martin Hetzer

“Differentiate yourself from your main competitors.”

Sabine Herlitschka

“Promote a lively ecosystem, an exchange fueled by enthusiasm for a topic. We are in a global competition. So we have to be better than the others. And we can do that.”

Stephanie J. Ellis

“It's about community building. The more different people are part of it, the greater the collective whole becomes.”