Research Group Leaders appointed as head of a Free Floater Research Group enters a tenure-track career path where tenure decision is determined only by her or his scientific or scholarly merits. The University together with the non-university research institutions at the Göttingen Research Campus provide them with attractive working conditions within a climate of cooperation and exchange.

The Free Floater Research Group Leaders receive mentoring and support by the Göttingen Research Council (GRC). They will be evaluated by the GRC in the third and in the sixth year after their appointment. The mid-term evaluation will be initiated by his or her mentor (a member of the GRC) and assisted by an external review. Following positive evaluation the group will recieve funding for additional three years. In case the evaluation is negative, the research group can receive funds for one additional year to allow the completion of ongoing research projects and the transition of group members into other employment. The final evaluation will be conducted by an appointment committee consisting of members proposed by the GRC and the faculty to which the the research group is affiliated. Based on external reviews the appointment committee will make a proposal to the GRC. In case of approval the research group leader will obtain a tenured professorship at the university.