Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Websites
Personal Information
Training & Certificates
Fellowships
Languages
Hobbies and Interests
Timeline
Generic
DR. KATHRIN WINKLER

DR. KATHRIN WINKLER

Brussels,

Summary

Accomplished leader in international relations and scientific programme development, with deep expertise in funding strategies. Recognized for driving major contributions to European and global initiatives through strategic stakeholder engagement and cross-border collaboration. Skilled in building high-impact partnerships, advancing science diplomacy, and shaping research and Open Science policy. Brings a strong track record in strategic governance and a steadfast commitment to scientific excellence and innovation at the intersection of science and international cooperation.

Overview

25
25
years of professional experience

Work History

Seconded National Expert, Open Science

European Commission - Directorate General Research and Innovation
Brussels
09.2023 - Current

Open Science Policy Development: Developed and analysed policies in the field of Open Science/EOSC, driving strategic governance and framework development to advance European research and innovation.

Horizon Europe Strategy and Programme Development: Conducted thematic and strategic work, and designed calls for Horizon Europe (EOSC).

European Collaboration and Partnership Building: Built and maintained strategic networks and the European co-programmed partnership, EOSC, promoting cooperation and knowledge sharing.

Global diplomacy and cooperation: Engaged in international relations and diplomacy, representing European interests, and promoting the advancement of open science adoption and FAIR implementation.

Programme Director, Scientific Information Systems

German Research Foundation - DFG
Bonn
05.2020 - 08.2023

Policy and Programme Development: Conducted policy analysis on EOSC, developed and managed programmes for digitisation and scientific information infrastructures, informing strategic decision-making.

Strategy in European Open Science and Research Policy: Played a key role in European Open Science think tanks, including EOSC, Knowledge Exchange, and Science Europe, fostering collaboration and advancing activities.

Stakeholder Engagement and Community Building: Engaged with diverse stakeholders and provided community support, building relationships and fostering collaboration.

Leadership and Management: Served as interim Team Lead in 2021, demonstrating leadership and management skills in guiding teams and overseeing programme development and management.

Director, DFG Office Latin America

German Research Foundation - DFG
São Paulo
05.2015 - 04.2020

Leadership and Management: Directed DFG's Latin America liaison office, overseeing finances, personnel, and legal affairs, and guiding the office's strategic programme and employee activities.

Regional Representation: Served as DFG's representative in Latin America, leveraging broad knowledge of the region's science and funding systems to inform strategic decision-making.

Science Diplomacy and engagement: Engaged in science policy and diplomacy efforts, fostering international cooperation in research between Latin America and Germany.

Programme Development and outreach: Designed and implemented programmes for international research collaboration, promoting research marketing, communication, and outreach in the region.

International networking and global partnerships: Collaborated with governmental and non-governmental institutions, funding agencies and scientific institutions, and German foreign representations to promote international collaborations, enhance institutional partnerships and foster scientific relations.

Programme Director - Physical Chemistry

German Research Foundation - DFG
Bonn
08.2008 - 04.2015

Programme Development and Management: Directed diverse research funding programmes in physical chemistry at national and international level, managing financial resources.

Leadership and coordination: Coordinated ERA-Chemistry and managed European projects, fostering networking and collaboration with key stakeholders.

Consultancy: Provided support and consultancy to the scientific community.

Coordination and Engagement: Guided and coordinated DFG's scientific boards, collaborated with Executive Board, and professional societies.

Science Policy Expertise: Demonstrated expertise in the European Research Area, German and European science and funding systems, informing strategic decision-making and programme development.

Research Associate - Physics Department

Freie Universität Berlin
Berlin
01.2004 - 07.2008

Biophysical Research: Conducted independent research and development in biophysics, demonstrating expertise in scientific publishing, fund raising, and collaboration with national and international partners.

Academic Leadership: Provided scientific teaching and supervision, mentoring students and junior researchers, and contributed to the institutional self-administration of the physics department.

Research Collaboration: Collaborated in national and international research consortia demonstrating ability to efficiently drive research projects and results.

Visiting Scientist, Bio- & Molecular Nanophotonics

The Institute of Photonic Sciences ICFO
Barcelona
10.2007 - 12.2007

Independent research in single molecule spectroscopy and biophotonics

Postdoctoral Researcher, Photochemical Kinetics

Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry
Göttingen
03.2003 - 11.2003

Instrumental laser system development in physics

Doctoral Student, Biomolecular & Chemical Dynamics

Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry
Göttingen
03.2000 - 02.2003

Research in physical and biophysical chemistry.
Scientific publication and presentation.

Education

Doctoral dissertation (Dr. rer. nat.) - Biophysical Chemistry

Georg-August-University
Göttingen, Germany
02.2003

Diplom (Master) - Physical Chemistry

Georg-August-University
Göttingen, Germany
02.2000

Education Abroad Programme - Physical chemistry and materials sciences studies

University of California Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, CA
12.1997

Vordiplom (Bachelor) - Chemistry

Georg-August-University
Göttingen, Germany
11-1996

Skills

  • Research and open science policy
  • Funding strategy and consultancy
  • Stakeholder engagement
  • European/global partnerships
  • International collaboration
  • Science diplomacy
  • Programme management
  • Strategic framework development
  • Research information systems
  • Project oversight and execution
  • Foreign branch management
  • Teamwork and collaboration
  • Efficient problem-solving
  • Participative leadership
  • Analytical thinking
  • Multilingual communication

Personal Information

  • Nationality: German
  • Place of Birth: Greifswald, Germany

Training & Certificates

  • Professional leadership training, 6 days
  • Advanced training: Science Management, ZWM Speyer, 18 days
  • Training in leadership and assessment of personnel, 8 days
  • Advanced course in project management, Next Level Consulting, 2 days

Fellowships

  • 1997, Scholarship of the Educational Abroad Programme of the University of California
  • 2003, Postdoctoral fellowship of the Max-Planck-society (MPG)
  • 2007, Research fellowship by the Physics Department of the Freie Universität Berlin

Languages

German
First Language
English
Proficient (C2)
C2
Portuguese
Proficient (C2)
C2
Spanish
Advanced (C1)
C1
French
Advanced (C1)
C1
Russian
Elementary (A2)
A2

Hobbies and Interests

  • Travelling, exploring new cultures and languages
  • Sports and Outdoors: Hiking, Trekking, cycling, jogging, yoga
  • Music: violin, orchestra, singing
  • Politics and environment

Timeline

Seconded National Expert, Open Science

European Commission - Directorate General Research and Innovation
09.2023 - Current

Programme Director, Scientific Information Systems

German Research Foundation - DFG
05.2020 - 08.2023

Director, DFG Office Latin America

German Research Foundation - DFG
05.2015 - 04.2020

Programme Director - Physical Chemistry

German Research Foundation - DFG
08.2008 - 04.2015

Visiting Scientist, Bio- & Molecular Nanophotonics

The Institute of Photonic Sciences ICFO
10.2007 - 12.2007

Research Associate - Physics Department

Freie Universität Berlin
01.2004 - 07.2008

Postdoctoral Researcher, Photochemical Kinetics

Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry
03.2003 - 11.2003

Doctoral Student, Biomolecular & Chemical Dynamics

Max-Planck-Institute for Biophysical Chemistry
03.2000 - 02.2003

Doctoral dissertation (Dr. rer. nat.) - Biophysical Chemistry

Georg-August-University

Diplom (Master) - Physical Chemistry

Georg-August-University

Education Abroad Programme - Physical chemistry and materials sciences studies

University of California Santa Barbara

Vordiplom (Bachelor) - Chemistry

Georg-August-University
DR. KATHRIN WINKLER