Junior Group Leader Position (m/f/div) – Applied Infection Immunology

Job Advertisement Leibniz-HKI-52/2024

The Leibniz Center for Photonics in Infection Research ( LPI [lpi-jena.de/en/]) is a project of the National Roadmap for Research Infrastructures of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF). As one of the supporting institutions of the LPI, the Leibniz Institute for Natural Product Research and Infection Biology (Leibniz-HKI) is establishing the

Independent Translational Research Group “Applied Infection Immunology”

and invites applications for the

Junior Group Leader Position (m/f/div)

We provide an opportunity for you to pursue your own research project for five years. Candidates with background in infection immunology and enthusiasm for translational science and potential willingness for interdisciplinary collaboration are welcome to apply.

The independent translational research group Applied Infection Immunology will strengthen the microbiology and immunology in the dynamically developing field of applied cellular immunology. The translational group to be established aims to both foster aspects of basic research and establish the basis for applications, such as immune cell-based diagnostics and immune cell therapy at the site. We therefore seek applications from excellent, highly committed, advanced postdoctoral researchers with international experience and an outstanding scientific track record in infection biology, preferably in the fields of cellular immunology, single-cell RNA sequencing, and FACS. The successful candidate will establish their research group in the field of applied infection immunology and cell therapy.

The independent Translational Research Group will have access to the existing excellent research infrastructure at the Leibniz-HKI. The group will be embedded in an outstanding scientific environment with state-of-the-art research facilities and top equipment.

The successful candidate is expected to actively collaborate within our interdisciplinary research community. They will be encouraged to actively participate in the structured doctoral training programs ILRS (ilrs.de/) (International Leibniz Research School for Microbial and Biomolecular Interactions) or JSMC (jsmc-phd.de/) (Jena School for Microbial Communication).

The full-time position of junior group leader is available as of January 1, 2025. The Translational Research Group, including own budget for personnel, consumables, and investments, is funded by the Leibniz Center for Photonics in Infection Research (LPI) and the Leibniz-HKI for five years, with potential extensions for two years twice depending on positive evaluations.

• A PhD (or equivalent) and postdoctoral research experience in life sciences, preferably in infection biology
• Leadership abilities to develop and perform an ambitious research program in the innovative fields of applied infectious disease, immunology, and cell therapy
• An excellent track record as well as successful interdisciplinary cooperation
• The ability to work creatively and independently towards developing your own research group
• An integrative personality with enthusiasm for actively participating in the dynamic LPI research community
• Great enthusiasm for translational science and potential willingness for interdisciplinary collaboration

• A cutting-edge research project in translational immunology in a modern workplace with top equipment
• A highly communicative atmosphere within a scientific network providing top-level research
• Remuneration in accordance to German TV-L (salary agreement for public service employees), depending on the personal qualifications up to salary scale E15
• Funding for personnel to build a group and an annual budget for consumables and investments
• Attractive staff benefits, a scheme for promoting your health and well-being, and a family- friendly working environment with flexible working options
• Participation in structured qualification and mentoring programs

The Leibniz-HKI is embedded in the outstanding scientific environment of the Beutenberg Campus, in particular the LPI, providing state-of-the-art research facilities and a highly integrative network of life science groups.