Mission statement
Knowledge
The Lower Saxony Institute for Solar Energy Research (ISFH) conducts applied research and development for solar energy. We help to expend solar energy with scientific knowledge and innovation and thus make an important contribution to the energy transition. We strive to provide excellent performance on an internationally recognised level.
Economic development
We support the economy with development work and research-oriented services at the highest level. In collaboration with our partners, we solve development issues to further reduce the costs of using solar energy.
Training
We give students, technicians, engineers, and academics the opportunity to take part in basic and advanced training in excellent research infrastructure. We thereby provide a solid scientific foundation for the transition to a sustainable energy supply.
Collaboration
We promote the exchange of ideas among employees and create space for creativity and new solutions. We strive to collaborate in a cooperative, respectful, and open manner, both internally and with our customers and partners.
Code of Conduct
Safeguarding good scientific practice
To safeguard ISFH's position in the international research landscape, compliance with scientific standards is of the utmost importance. For this reason, ISFH adopted the recommendations of the German Research Foundation for safeguarding good scientific practice as early as 2002. In order to implement these recommendations, an agreement was concluded with the University of Hanover in which ISFH adopted the guidelines for safeguarding good scientific practice and dealing with scientific misconduct[1].
In addition, a works agreement was concluded between the ISFH works council and the management to promote young scientists in particular, in order to ensure the qualified supervision of students/doctoral candidates and the successful and speedy completion of their training[2].
ISFH is expressly committed to complying with these regulations and supports its employees in implementing and complying with them. In particular, ISFH supports its employees in their efforts to publish scientific results.
Working conditions
Employees generally receive appropriate remuneration in accordance with public service regulations (TV-L or civil servant pay). Employees can arrange their working hours flexibly[3] within the framework of the company agreement on time recording agreed with the works council. This supports the compatibility of work and family life.
Health-promoting measures in the workplace (e.g. advice from the company doctor) are promoted. Occupational accident prevention is a top priority. The institute's management and senior executives have accepted the resulting responsibility by adopting a corresponding set of regulations[4]. Discrimination and harassment on ethnic, religious or ideological grounds or on grounds of age, gender or disability are rejected. ISFH has a complaints office in accordance with the AGG[5] to which those affected can turn.
Anti-corruption regulations
ISFH has adopted the anti-corruption guidelines[6] applicable in Lower Saxony and strictly observes them. Corruption, bribery and corruptibility are rejected without exception and have consequences under labor law.
Fair competition
ISFH competes with other research institutions. We respect the rules of fair competition and do not enter into price agreements with our competitors. We also do not talk to competitors about our costs and cost structures or other information that is not generally known and that competitors should not become aware of.
Protection of the environment
ISFH is committed to protecting the environment for reasons of its statutory purpose alone. The research work is therefore geared towards using as few resources as possible and limiting the use of toxic and/or hazardous materials and the emissions resulting from our work as far as possible.
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[1] Agreement between ISFH and the University of Hanover dated November 22 and 25, 2002, respectively
[2] “Junior Researchers” works agreement between the institute management and the works council dated October 25, 2018
[3] Company agreement “Working hours and time recording” between the institute management and the staff dated February 12, 2010
[4] Regulation of responsibilities for occupational health and safety at ISFH (February 2017)
[5] General Equal Treatment Act
[6] Anti-corruption guidelines of the state of Lower Saxony
Gender Equality Plan
Our work at ISFH is of a technological nature. It is carried out by people of different genders, different origins, sexual, religious and ideological orientations, different education, experience, mental and physical capabilities. We are united by an unconditional will to use our individual skills and experience to make a contribution to a sustainable world. The transition to renewable energy sources is one of the most urgent tasks of our time and solar energy – our subject area and field of competence – is an essential building block of a sustainable future.
There is now a broad consensus in society about the necessity of the transition to renewable energy, but the transition is not yet fully implemented and still requires new solutions and ideas. The same is also true for gender equality and the working and living environment: despite considerable progress there are still persistent, often subconscious prejudice and systematic discrimination. The aim of this gender equality plan is to advance towards a diverse working environment free of discrimination and thus to enable more pleasant and better working conditions for all ISFH staff. For this purpose, a team of ISFH staff has analysed fields of action to achieve equality and devised concrete measures which are expressly supported by the management of the ISFH, including the director. Ultimately a positive working environment also benefits our mission: Innovation with impact for energy change!
The full document is available for download in German only.