Voluntary social year (FSJ)

Learn more about the FSJ at the CRTD © TUD/Magdalena Gonciarz

The CRTD has been offering a Voluntary Social Year in Science to young adults since 2016. Working with us offers the opportunity to get in touch with scientific practice and the daily routine of research. Consequently, volunteers can gather experience in one of the labs at the CRTD, work on research projects independently, and become familiar with the work at a research institution.

A photo. Two people in front of a microscope. One is looking through the eyepiece, the other is standing next to them. In the foreground, there is a blurry orange object obscuring the lower left part of the image. In the background, more laboratory equipment can be seen.

In addition, the CRTD also offers a Voluntary Social Year in the field of public relations.

From event planning and website support, to writing and correcting texts, as well as creating posters, flyers, and other communication materials - volunteers can gain experiences in all areas of public relations.

This insight should support volunteers in their decision-making process to select a specific study program or vocational training. Furthermore, it gives insight into the workflow of different positions and their variation in practice. The international atmosphere at the CRTD furthermore supports the strengthening of language skills and their usage
in daily lab work.

A photo. Two people in lab coats. They are standing at a table, and in front of them, a cabinet is hanging. This table and cabinet are in the left half of the picture and are out of focus. Various laboratory utensils are on the table. The two people are working with these utensils.

The CRTD offers the Voluntary Social Year in cooperation with the German Red Cross of Saxony. This enables the volunteers to join several seminar series, ranging from basic modules to training opportunities in communication, healthcare, or educational theory.

The CRTD was one of the first German research institutes to offer a Voluntary Social Year in Science.

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What is the Voluntary Social Year (FSJ) actually?

The Voluntary Social Year gives young people, who are between the ages of 16 and 25 and have finished their compulsory education, the opportunity to get involved in social work and to support people in need – and moreover to develop their own personality and discover a new professional field. This volunteer work usually takes place in social institutions, such as hospitals, care for the elderly or even work with asylum seekers, but also in other areas, such as science.

The CRTD cooperates with the German Red Cross (DRK). Please visit the DRK Website for more information.

I would like to apply – what do I have to do?

The FSJ at the CRTD usually starts on 1 September and lasts 12 months. In general, we are able to offer at least 4 places to interested volunteers; sometimes, additional places are available. If you are interested in completing a Voluntary Social Year at the CRTD, you should be interested in life sciences and ideally have achieved good results in the corresponding school subjects. Please submit your application directly to the DRK. In addition to the DRK application form, please send a letter of motivation in English, your curriculum vitae, your most recent school report and any relevant internship certificates. The application deadline is 31 May of the year in which you wish to start your FSJ.

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