As early-career scientists who are dedicated to lung research with curiosity and commitment, we have found a place at the German Centre for Lung Research (DZL) that helps us grow both professionally and personally. The DZL embraces exchange – open, interdisciplinary, cross-location – and thus creates an environment in which collaboration and career development go hand in hand.

For us, this means not working in isolation within our own research context, but thinking ahead together. Whether in the lab, analyzing imaging data, or conducting clinical projects, we benefit daily from the open interaction between scientists, physicians and data experts. Interdisciplinary dialogue opens up new perspectives and often leads to innovative solutions.

Regular meetings at the platform or disease area level and the annual DZL meetings, help us to place our research in a broader context, identify synergies, and find starting points for joint projects. This creates a network that goes far beyond mere cooperation: a lively scientific community that truly brings the idea of translation, i.e. the transfer of research findings into clinical application, to life.

Since 2023, we have also been involved as co-coordinators in different areas of the DZL: Ann-Kathrin in the Disease Area Lung Cancer and Lena in the Imaging Platform. These roles enable us to take on responsibility and contribute the perspective of early career scientists.

In doing so, we experience how multifaceted scientific coordination can be. As co-coordinators, we contribute to the content and strategic development of our respective areas – whether by planning workshops, formulating long-term goals or exchanging ideas with other stakeholders within and outside the DZL. We learn to pool and align interests, prepare decisions and promote interdisciplinary cooperation – and gain insights into political decision-making processes that shape research structures in the long term.

These tasks help us to broaden our perspective and think about the big picture: How are research priorities set? What framework conditions foster effective collaboration? And how can we actively shape the path from idea to implementation?

A special concern of ours is to strengthen the visibility and participation of early-career researchers. We are committed to ensuring that their ideas, perspectives and challenges are heard. Through targeted formats and personal exchange, we create spaces where early-career scientists can network, contribute and develop.

Our experience at the DZL to date shows how much potential there is in an open, interdisciplinary research network. We are grateful to be able to actively shape this network. Special thanks also go to our experienced co-coordinators in the Disease Area and Platform. Their expertise, strategic vision and openness to involving us create a valuable learning environment for us – and give us room to grow professionally and personally.

The interdisciplinary exchange, the opportunity to contribute, and the shared goal of translating research into clinical benefit motivate us every day. We look forward to future encounters, new impulses – and thank everyone who supports us on this journey.

Authors:
Ann-Kathrin Daum | Personalised Medical Oncology, German Cancer Research Centre
Lena Wucherpfennig | Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, Heidelberg University Hospital