Scientific Director (m/f/x)

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research GmbH (HZI) in Braunschweig is a legally independent research institution jointly financed by the Federal Republic of Germany and the states of Lower Saxony, Saarland, Bavaria and Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania within the Helmholtz Association of German Research Centres (HGF).

The HZI conducts long-term, strategically oriented research that addresses the major health threats posed by infectious diseases. It promotes clinical and pharmaceutical developments by combining innovative approaches from basic research to clinically oriented investigations and drug development. The HZI's success-oriented, interdisciplinary approach encompasses the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment as well as surveillance and control of infectious diseases. The outstanding importance of the centre has been especially visible in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Centre's task is to conduct basic research in the fields of infection biology, epidemiology, bioinformatics, and drug research, and their clinical implementation. The research activities of the HZI are financed by the programme-oriented funding of the Helmholtz Association in the "Infectious Diseases Research" programme. Scientists at the HZI work closely together with universities and research institutions in the regions of Braunschweig/Hanover, Saarbrücken, Würzburg and Greifswald, as well as other scientific organizations and companies in Germany and abroad. Together with the Hannover Medical School (MHH), the HZI founded a Translational Centre for Experimental and Clinical Infection Research (TWINCORE) and has established the Centre for Individualised Infection Medicine (CiiM). To further strengthen translational research, the Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS) was founded together with the University of Saarland (UdS); the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) together with the Julius Maximilian University of Würzburg (JMU); and most recently, the Helmholtz Institute Greifswald for One Health research together with the University of Greifswald. The HZI is a partner of the German Centre for Infection Research, one of the German Health Research centres. 

The HZI currently employs around 800 people and has an annual budget of about 92 million euros. 

The Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) is seeking to fill the position of 

Scientific Director (m/f/x) 
to be filled as of 01 August 2022. 

The Scientific Director is responsible for the scientific management and further development of the Centre. This includes the development of the institution in the national and international scientific arena as well as research planning and success monitoring in cooperation with boards and supervisory bodies.

We are looking for an outstanding personality who has earned an international reputation in the field of infectious diseases research, exceptional qualifications in basic and/or clinical research, and leadership and research management experience. 
Together with the Administrative Director, the Scientific Director will lead the Centre and ensure its sustained success. 

The tasks and size of the Centre as well as the close cooperation with partners in universities, other research institutions, university hospitals, and industry on a national and international level requires a personality with excellent communication skills and leadership experience in internationally active research institutions or related organizations. Expected are strategic management skills, the ability to integrate and assert oneself, experience in international cooperations as well as competence in communicating and transferring scientific results and concepts to the general public. 

Experience in strategic corporate management and cooperation with oversight and advisory bodies are required. Strong German and English language skills are mandatory. Knowledge of the German science system is an advantage. 

The appointment is initially for a period of five years, with reappointment possible. The salary will be in accordance with the flexible options of the Federal Government's remuneration regulations for university professors in Germany (W-Besoldung des Bundes). Performance-related remuneration is possible. 

The members of the Helmholtz Association are striving to attract more women into leadership and decision-making positions in science and research. Therefore, we especially encourage qualified female candidates to apply. Disabled applicants (m/f/x) with equal qualifications and suitability will be given preferential consideration. 

Please send your application electronically (by e-mail) and by post by 15 July 2021 to: 

MinDir'in Prof. Dr. Veronika von Messling 
Chairperson of the Supervisory Board of the HZI and Chairperson of the Search Committee 
- personally - 
Federal Ministry of Education and Research 
Kapelle Ufer 1 
10117 Berlin 

Please note that your documents will be made available to a search committee consisting of representatives of the Supervisory Board, the Scientific Advisory Board of the HZI and external experts and guests, to the Federal Ministry of Education and Research and to an external recruitment agency. Please note the information on data protection at https://www.helmholtz-hzi.de/de/service/datenschutz/
(job advertisements/application procedure)

For further information on the tasks, please contact: 
Prof. Dr. Veronika von Messling: Veronika.vonMessling@bmbf.bund.de