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Published May 12, 2026 | Version v1
Journal article Open

Establishing central Research Software Engineering units in German research institutions

Authors/Creators

  • 1. ROR icon Heidelberg University
  • 2. ROR icon Karlsruhe Institute of Technology
  • 3. ROR icon University of Stuttgart
  • 4. Julius-Maximilians-Universitat Würzburg Fakultät für Physik und Astronomie
  • 5. ROR icon Technische Universität Braunschweig
  • 6. ROR icon Friedrich Schiller University Jena
  • 7. ROR icon Forschungszentrum Jülich
  • 8. ROR icon Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin
  • 9. ROR icon University of Würzburg
  • 10. ROR icon ZB MED - Information Centre for Life Sciences
  • 11. ROR icon German Climate Computing Centre
  • 12. ROR icon Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin
  • 13. ROR icon University of Augsburg
  • 14. ETH Zurich
  • 15. ROR icon Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon

Description

This position paper urges decision makers in Germany to establish central Research Software Engineering (RSE) units within their institutions. The focus is not put primarily on the establishment of RSE services in general, as this has been done already elsewhere. Instead, we highlight central RSE units. Motivation for their existence is discussed, underpinned by working examples both in neighbouring fields as well as outside of Germany. The heart of this paper is a vision of a central RSE unit, its structure, and the definition of nine core support modules such a unity may provide. An initial survey finds that there is considerable diversity within the module distribution, even within the few considered groups. We discuss initial observations on possible clusters, but further studies are needed. Finally, we discuss realisation strategies. While this paper focuses mostly on the German academic environment, some general strategies should also apply elsewhere.

Notes (En)

©2026 The Author(s). Published by F1000 Research Ltd. The final publication is available at 10.12688/f1000research.171263.1. Kempf D, Caspart R, Flemisch B et al. “Establishing central Research Software Engineering units in German research institutions [version 1; peer review: awaiting peer review].” F1000Research 2026, 15:719, doi:10.12688/f1000research.171263.1

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Journal article: 10.12688/f1000research.171263.1 (DOI)

Funding

European Commission
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