Partnership for Innovation, Education and Research
About us
PIER is the strategic partnership between DESY and the University of Hamburg ("Partnership for Innovation, Education and Research"). PIER focuses on the research fields particle and astroparticle physics, nanosciences, photon science and infection and structural biology. Additional interdisciplinary areas include theoretical physics and accelerator research. Under the umbrella of PIER, DESY and the University of Hamburg jointly provide funding for cross-institutional research projects, promote high-quality education of junior scientists, and foster an innovation-friendly culture on the Hamburg Bahrenfeld science campus.
The governance of PIER is carried out by three governing bodies: While the PIER Commission is in charge of all strategic and long-term decisions, the PIER Executive Board is responsible for the operational decisions and activities of PIER. The PIER Helmholtz Graduate School Steering Committee decides on all matters concerning the operation of the graduate school. The PIER team supports the PIER Executive Board in implementing its decisions and devises and organizes activities in the PIER research and competence fields.
From PIER to PIER PLUS
Because of the huge success of the partnership between DESY and the University of Hamburg in PIER, it was decided to use this collaboration as a blueprint for a larger network in the Hamburg metropolitan area: PIER PLUS. Since 2019, the various Hamburg universities and many non-university research institutions based in and around Hamburg have been intensifying their cooperation on the strategic level as well as in different research profiles in PIER PLUS.
Fostering cooperation on all levels
Different levels of administration are involved into the strategic and operational governance of PIER and the organization of its various activities and events.
PIER Boards
There are three governing bodies of PIER: The PIER Commission, the PIER Executive Board, and the PHGS Steering Committee.
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PIER team
The PIER team is responsible for implementing the governing entities’ decisions. It takes care of administrative matters and devises and organizes PIER events and activities.
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