Administration

Mission and Scope

The Faculty Center Physics of Life brings together researchers working at the interface between Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics. Its mission is to promote scientific exchange, foster interdisciplinary collaborations, support the development of new research initiatives, and increase the visibility of our research within the Faculty, the University, and beyond.

1. Membership

1. Any member of the Faculty of Science of the University of Geneva may become a member of the Center.
2. Principal Investigators (PIs) who are members of the Center are voting members.
3. The members of a voting member's group are automatically members of the Center.
4. New members are approved by the Director and Co-Director upon request.
5. Members of the University of Geneva who belong to other faculties may apply for Associate Membership.
6. Members who leave the University of Geneva may retain Associate Member status unless they choose to resign from the Center.
7. Associate Members may participate in activities, committees, or discussions but do not have voting rights.

2. Leadership

1. The Center is led by a Director and a Co-Director.
2. The Director and Co-Director are responsible for the general coordination and day-to-day activities of the Center. Their responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
   1. coordinating the activities of the Center;
   2. organizing the annual Center Day;
   3. coordinating the Physics of Biology Seminar Series;
   4. maintaining the Center's website and other communication channels;
   5. maintaining contacts and fostering interactions with research clusters within Switzerland and across Europe;
   6. writing the Center's annual report;
   7. representing the Center within the Faculty and the University, as appropriate.
   Tasks (c), (d), and (e) can be delegated to other voting members of the Center.
3. The term of office of the Director and Co-Director is two years.
4. At the end of the Director's term, the Co-Director normally succeeds the Director for the following two-year term.
5. A new Co-Director is selected from among the voting members of the Center by random draw. The draw is public and performed during the Center Day.
6. A voting member selected to serve as Co-Director may decline the appointment once. If the selected member declines, a new draw is conducted.
7. If the Director is unable to complete their term, the Co-Director takes over for the rest of the term and a new Co-Director is chosen among the voting members of the Center by random draw in the presence of at least half of the voting members. In such a case, the new Director and Co-Director can remain for an immediately following second term. An analogous procedure applies if the Co-Director cannot complete their term.
8. A parting Director can become again Director 6 years after their previous term at the earliest.

3. Decision-Making

1. Major decisions concerning the activities, governance, or strategic direction of the Center are submitted to the voting members.
2. Unless otherwise specified, decisions are adopted by a simple majority of the votes cast.
3. Decisions may be taken during a meeting or by electronic vote.
4. In the event of a tie, the Director has a casting vote.

4. Annual Center Day

1. The Center organizes an annual event, referred to as the Center Day, to showcase and promote the activities of the Center and to foster interactions among its members and the wider scientific community.
2. The Center Day is organized under the leadership of the Director and Co-Director, with the participation of other members as appropriate.
3. The Center Day normally takes place during the first two weeks of September.
4. The format and programme of the Center Day are determined by the Director and Co-Director, in consultation with the members of the Center.

Amendments to this Charter may be proposed by any voting member of the Center and shall be adopted by a two-thirds majority of the votes cast by the voting members.