Head of Department - Virus-based Therapies & Technologies

Die Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft (www.fraunhofer.de) betreibt in Deutschland derzeit 76 Institute und Forschungseinrichtungen und ist eine der führenden Organisationen für anwendungsorientierte Forschung. Rund 32 000 Mitarbeitende erarbeiten das jährliche Forschungsvolumen von 3,4 Milliarden Euro.

At the Fraunhofer Institute of Interfacial and Biochemical Engineering IGB, we combine biology and technology in our business areas of Health, Sustainable Chemistry, and Environmental and climate protection. We develop processes, technologies and products for patient-focused healthcare, a sustainable bio-economy as well as a climate-neutral and resource-efficient circular economy and successfully transfer new solutions into industrial implementation. We conduct research at our locations in Stuttgart, Leuna, Straubing and Biberach as well as in close collaboration with numerous universities and research in Germany and abroad.

The Fraunhofer IGB is one of 76 institutes and research centers of the Fraunhofer Society (www.fraunhofer.de). Fraunhofer is the world's leading organisation for application-oriented research. Approximately 32,000 employees work on an annual research volume of 3.4 billion euros.

The department of Virus-based Therapies and Technologies has two locations, the main institute in Stuttgart, and the new Virus-based Therapies branch, VBT, in Biberach. The department focuses on viral biotechnology and its enormous potential for applied research, from prokaryotic to eukaryotic viruses. The new Virus-based Therapies branch in Biberach, funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism and located in the heart of the Biopharma Cluster South Germany, is dedicates to the development of biotechnological solutions for the production and analytics of viral therapeutics. It focuses on virus, cell and process technologies, in close collaboration with the local and regional partners of industrial and academic networks. The new unit acts as an interface between academia and industry with the main aim of enabling the cost-effective production of virus-based therapeutics thereby facilitating their clinical use in patients.

The vacancy is aimed at people with professional experience in research and development who are interested in contributing to the successful development of the department and in working in a highly specialized environment under excellent conditions in a field with major challenges and excellent future prospects.

Was Sie bei uns tun

Your responsibilities as head of the IGB's Virus-Based Therapies and Technologies department include

Designing and implementing of the strategic development and expansion of the department with a particular emphasis on the new Biberach site
Planning, coordination and support of research projects in the field of virus-based therapies and technologies with a focus on practical and market-oriented solutions
Strong acquisition of industrial and public funding
Transfer of knowledge and results for the practical use of research results
Coordination of the cooperation between the Virus-Based Therapies and Technologies department and the other research departments of the Fraunhofer IGB
Organising cooperation with the other research and innovation centers in Biberach and in the Biopharma Cluster South Germany
Establishing and maintaining collaborations with industrial players, regional companies, scientific partners and public institutions in the region
Organizational management and development of scientists in the department

Was Sie mitbringen

University degree (Master) in pharmaceutical biotechnology / molecular Biotechnology / virology or related fields
A completed PhD in a relevant research area
In-depth knowledge and skills in viral technology, cell technology, molecular biotechnology, process development and analytics
Several years of professional experience in leading projects or teams, preferably in applied research or industry
Ability to build and maintain a strong interdisciplinary team at the interface between academic research and industry
Strong experience and interest in project acquisition and implementation of research and development projects with national and international partners with a particular focus on industrial cooperation
Internationally visible scientific excellence
Competence in the organisation and financial control of the department
Entrepreneurial mindset, strong interest in developing and shaping the department, strong communication skills and willingness to cooperate
A high degree of initiative and personal responsibility
Knowledge of German at B2/C-level or better

Was Sie erwarten können

A responsible task to lead and develop the current department; above all, to promote the new research location in Biberach with international appeal
Excellent conditions for the development of the Department of Virus-based Therapies and Technology
Varied work in a dynamic and excellent research environment
Generous and flexible human and material resources
Unique opportunity to combine practice and theory
Opportunity to develop complementary organisational and management skills, mentoring
Family-friendly working culture with flexible working hours and conditions (e.g. home office, public transport subsidy)
Attractive performance and success-based compensation components

Wir wertschätzen und fördern die Vielfalt der Kompetenzen unserer Mitarbeitenden und begrüßen daher alle Bewerbungen – unabhängig von Alter, Geschlecht, Nationalität, ethnischer und sozialer Herkunft, Religion, Weltanschauung, Behinderung sowie sexueller Orientierung und Identität. Schwerbehinderte Menschen werden bei gleicher Eignung bevorzugt eingestellt.

Die wöchentliche Arbeitszeit beträgt 39 Stunden. Die Stelle kann auch in Teilzeit besetzt werden. Anstellung, Vergütung und Sozialleistungen basieren auf dem Tarifvertrag für den öffentlichen Dienst (TVöD). Zusätzlich kann Fraunhofer leistungs- und erfolgsabhängige variable Vergütungsbestandteile gewähren.

Mit ihrer Fokussierung auf zukunftsrelevante Schlüsseltechnologien sowie auf die Verwertung der Ergebnisse in Wirtschaft und Industrie spielt die Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft eine zentrale Rolle im Innovationsprozess. Als Wegweiser und Impulsgeber für innovative Entwicklungen und wissenschaftliche Exzellenz wirkt sie mit an der Gestaltung unserer Gesellschaft und unserer Zukunft.

Haben wir Ihr Interesse geweckt? Dann bewerben Sie sich jetzt online mit Ihren aussagekräftigen Bewerbungsunterlagen. Wir freuen uns darauf, Sie kennenzulernen!

If you have any questions about the application process or the position, please contact the HR department:

E-Mail: bewerbung@igb.fraunhofer.de

Phone: +49 711 970 4009

Fraunhofer-Institut für Grenzflächen- und Bioverfahrenstechnik IGB

www.igb.fraunhofer.de

Kennziffer: 78096 Bewerbungsfrist: 06.09.2025

Stellensegment: R&D Engineer, R&D, Chemical Engineer, Pharmaceutical, Engineering, Research, Science

Jetzt bewerben »