"Director (f/m/x) at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Biotechnology (IBG‑1)"

Forschungs­zentrum Jülich is a magnet for outstanding scientists, talented young researchers, and management professionals. As a member of the Helmholtz Association, we aim to tackle the grand societal challenges of our time and conduct research for a digitalized society, a climate-friendly energy system, and a resource-efficient economy. We are passionate about excellence, and our open campus inspires collaboration between people from all over the world. Work together with more than 7,600 employees in one of Europe’s largest interdisciplinary research centres and help us to shape change!

Within the scope of a joint professorial appointment and in line with the Jülich model, Forschungs­zentrum Jülich and the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf are seeking, at the earliest possible date, a candidate for the position of

Director (f/m/x) at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Biotechnology (IBG‑1) as part of a joint leadership team at the Jülich site combined with a

University Professorship (W3) in Microbial Biotechnology at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf     At Forschungs­zentrum Jülich, IBG-1 drives the advancement of biotechnology for a bio-based circular economy. Its main research areas include microbial and enzymatic conversion processes as well as bioprocess development. IBG-1 is part of the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences, where Forschungs­zentrum Jülich brings together its expertise in biotechnology, bioinformatics, plant sciences, and the agrosphere for interdisciplinary research on the sustainable use of natural resources.

The successful candidate should be an internationally recognized leader in the field of applied microbiology. As director, they will lead the institute’s research on microbial cell factories that enable the sustainable production of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and materials based on renewable carbon sources or waste streams as sustainable alternatives to petrochemical synthesis. Of particular interest are, for example, biological processes for plastic recycling. The research is expected to make use of methods from metabolic engineering, synthetic biology, and adaptive laboratory evolution, as well as automation opportunities offered by the Jülich Biofoundry. These research activities represent a key component of Forschungs­zentrum Jülich’s bioeconomy strategy and are closely linked to bioprocess development and bioinformatics.

As Director at the Institute of Bio- and Geosciences – Biotechnology (IBG-1), which is combined with a professorial appointment at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, the successful candidate will lead the institute division as part of a joint leadership team together with other directors and manage its research portfolio. The candidate must demonstrate strong and inspiring leadership qualities, as well as the experience and ability to provide new impetus and to advance future research directions in line with the research strategy and mission of Forschungs­zentrum Jülich in the field of the bioeconomy.

The appointee is expected to collaborate closely with other areas within Forschungs­zentrum Jülich and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, as well as to actively participate in ongoing and planned research consortia at both institutions.

The appointment includes a teaching obligation on the subject of “Microbial Biotechnology” of two semester hours per week at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf.

The formal appointment requirements are governed by Section 36 of the Act on the Higher Education Institutions of the State of North Rhine‑Westphalia. Requirements include a completed university degree, a PhD/​doctorate, and additional outstanding academic achievements – demonstrated, for example, by a habilitation, a junior professorship, or scientific work at a university or research institution, or in other sectors of society (e.g. industry).

Additional qualifications should include an excellent publication record, a successful track record in securing highly competitive external party funding (e.g. ERC grants or comparable funding), and extensive experience in interdisciplinary collaboration with academic and industrial partners, as well as in technology transfer. The position is open to applicants of all genders. Forschungs­zentrum Jülich and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf pursue a certified family-friendly personnel policy and offer dual-career programmes. Positions are generally also available on a part-time basis, unless compelling official reasons prevent this in individual cases.

Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf embraces the principle of “Excellence through Diversity”. It has signed the “Diversity Charter” and has successfully participated in Stifter­verband’s “Vielfalt gestalten” (shaping diversity) audit. Promoting equal opportunities is an important component of personnel policy at both Forschungs­zentrum Jülich and Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf.

Applications from persons with severe disabilities or persons with equivalent status in accordance with Book IX of the German Social Code (SGB IX) are explicitly encouraged. Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference in the case of equal suitability. Applications from women are expressly encouraged. Women will be given preferential consideration in cases of equal suitability, qualifications, and professional performance, unless compelling reasons relating to another applicant apply.

Please submit your application in English by 17.04.2026 to Prof. Dr. Ir. Pieter Jansens, Member of the Board of Directors of Forschungs­zentrum Jülich, and Prof. Dr. Martin Heil, Dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at HHU. Please submit your application, including the usual documents (letter of motivation, curriculum vitae, list of all scientific publications, tabular overview and documentation of competitively acquired external party funding, copies of academic certificates, a research statement [max. 2 pages], a teaching statement [max. 2 pages], and a list of courses taught). The application should be submitted online via the appointment portal of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf:

https://berufungsportal.hhu.de

If you have any questions regarding the position, in particular concerning the bioeconomy strategy of Forschungs­zentrum Jülich and the Helmholtz Research Field “Earth and Environment”, please contact Prof. Dr. Holger Gohlke (gohlke@uni-duesseldorf.de) or Prof. Dr. Christoph Fahlke (c.fahlke@fz-juelich.de).

For any questions regarding the appointment portal, please contact berufungsportalmnf@hhu.de.