Independent Group Leader

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Become an Independent Group Leader at DZNE!  

The German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) offers outstanding postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to establish and lead their own independent research group through its Independent Group Leader (IGL) Program.  

Designed for ambitious researchers who have already secured substantial competitive third-party funding, the program enables you to advance your own scientific vision, shape an independent research agenda, and take full responsibility for the scientific direction, team development, and leadership of your research group.  

As an Independent Group Leader, you will take an important step toward long-term scientific independence and future senior academic or research leadership positions. DZNE complements this opportunity with tailored scientific and career mentoring as well as individual leadership development measures.  

The IGL position is a fixed-term appointment linked to externally secured funding.

• Build up your own research group
• Work on your externally funded project whilst defining the own research profile
• Be part of our extensive and excellent network and expand your own collaborations
• Get support by our Career Center, our Grant Office and top infrastructure facilities to enable an excellent start into your independent reserach career
• Receive a qualitative feedback in a mid-term feedback session and individual transition support upon completion of the project
• the objective of this DZNE career pathway is to offer you an independent research environment to gain experience as group leader and develop in scientific and personal matters to be able to apply for  advanced positions in the research community

• You are a Postdoc ready to take over your first leadership role
• Your research plan fits well into the research agenda of DZNE
• There is evidence of your outstanding and relevant publications
• With your own funding you can finance your position plus your team member(s) - at least one additional staff member position - for at least three years
• A research group leader at DZNE must be willing to serve as a mentor - if you do not have a mentor in mind, we can assist you in finding a suitable mentor

• Innovation and internationality:

  A forward-looking infrastructure, modern laboratory and office equipment, software tools and the opportunity for international exchange with your colleagues from 65 nations

• Focus on Development:

  Training programmes tailored to your individual needs and annual HR-development meetings for concrete prospects and potential development

• Family-conscious organizational culture:

  Because we know that family is important, we support you with our family service

• Work-life balance:

  We reconcile work and private life with flexible working hours, 30 days' holiday (On top free on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve) and subsidised job/ Germany ticket options

• Mobile working:

  We support mobile work so that you can be productive while working from home

• Remuneration and conditions according to TVöD-Bund:

  Including annual special payment, capital-forming benefits and VBL supplementary pension scheme

If you are interested to take over the role as Independend Group Leader or you have questions please contact our Grant Office: drittmittelstelle(at)dzne.de

Your application should include:

1. cover letter indication the motivation for a academic leadership position and a brief summary of the research plan (1-3 plages in toal)
2. copy of the successful grant proposal including budget plan
3. your CV