The SFB “JAK-STAT Monarchies” reflects a center of excellence in Vienna and assembles critical mass to engage in ambitious hypothesis-driven research into JAK-STAT signaling. As an academic local network, we support early-stage researchers in advancing their academic careers. Young scientists entering the SFB as PhD students have the opportunity to acquire experience, techniques, and concepts beyond their own research teams. They participate in an interactive and collaborative research environment that is well embedded in an international research network and aims to provide an inspiring academic environment encouraging curiosity-driven research. Regular SFB-JAK STAT seminars allow early-stage researchers to present their progress and expose them to scientific discourse about future prospects and new directions. International and nationally renowned guest speakers invited to the seminars will provide the opportunity to benefit from feedback concerning their projects and to establish professional networks. We have implemented measures to broaden the expertise of wet bench-educated young scientists and reduce the bottleneck in computer-aided interpretation of large data sets. Our scientists are exposed to current research in Journal Clubs, which provide the opportunity to discuss recent findings in the field and new methodological developments. All SFB members are encouraged to present their work at national and international conferences in order to develop their professional network and support their career opportunities. All our former colleagues, who have completed their research within the SFB successfully and have moved on are listed below.