Prof. Dr. K. Lenhard Rudolph, Scientific Director of the Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), has decided to put his Director position on hold. He declares: “An investigation on good scientific practice criticizes gross negligence in my supervision of scientific work from my group. I take these accusations very seriously. I will rigorously correct all mistakes and implement structural and organizational changes to ensure proper supervision of my coworkers specifically by me. I have decided to put my position as the Scientific Director on hold until further notice in order to take my responsibilities as a scientist to the full extent and, at the same time, protect the institute from further damages. FLI is an outstanding institution with excellent staff, that I have no doubt.”
In the wake of this decision and until further notice the FLI’s Board of Directors consists of Dr. Daniele Barthel as Administrative Director and temporarily Dr. Matthias Platzer as alternate Scientific Director. The Board of Directors will work closely together with the assembly of research group leaders, the Scientific Advisory Board and the Board of Trustees and discuss the next steps to be taken in order to:
- protect the scientific reputation of the institute;
- ensure that the institute remains fully operational and continues to provide an optimal research environment;
- further develop the established culture of good scientific practice at the institute;
- support Prof. Lenhard Rudolph and his research group to comply with the recommendations of the Leibniz Association review committee and to restore his reputation as an internationally recognized scientist.
Our institute honours the culture and rules of good scientific practice that is demonstrated by 535 publications (2012-16) in renowned scientific Journals. From this number of publications important research findings have been quoted more than 500 times further documenting the recognition of FLI’s work in the scientific community. FLI hosts annual courses on good scientific practice. In addition group leaders from the FLI are working in corresponding committees or as ombudsmen at FLI, Friedrich Schiller University Jena and DFG.
Contact
Dr. Kerstin Wagner
Leibniz Institute on Aging – Fritz Lipmann Institute (FLI), Beutenbergstr. 11, D-07745 Jena
Tel.: 03641-656378, Fax: 03641-656351, E-Mail: presse@leibniz-fli.de
