Head of Department - Virus-based Therapies & Technologies

At the Fraunhofer Institute of Interfacial and Biochemical Engineering IGB, we combine biology and technology in our business areas Health, Sustainable Chemistry, and Environmental and Climate protection. We develop processes, technologies, and products that enable the industrial application of new solutions for patient-centred healthcare, a sustainable bioeconomy as well as a climate-neutral and resource-efficient circular economy. At our locations in Stuttgart, Leuna, Straubing, and Biberach we carry out research in close collaboration with numerous universities in Germany and abroad.

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

Our »Virus-based Therapies and Technologies« department specializes in viral biotechnology and its enormous potential for applied research, from prokaryotic to eukaryotic viruses, and operates from two locations: the main institute in Stuttgart and a newly established branch in Biberach. This new branch, funded by the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labour and Tourism, is located in the heart of the Biopharma Cluster South Germany. We are dedicated to the development of biotechnological solutions for the production and analysis of viral therapeutics. In close collaboration with local and regional partners from industrial and academic networks, we focus on virus, cell, and process technologies and serve as a bridge between academia and industry with the primary goal of enabling the cost-effective production of virus-based therapeutics, thereby facilitating their clinical use for patients.

What you will do

• Design and implementation of the strategic development and expansion of the department with a particular focus on the new Biberach site
• Acquisition of industrial and public funding
• 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
• Development of intellectual property and subsequent knowledge transfer into practical application
• Coordination of the cooperation between the Fraunhofer VBT branch and other research departments of the Fraunhofer IGB
• Establishment and maintenance of collaborations with regional companies, industrial organisations, scientific partners and public institutions

What you bring to the table

• PhD in a relevant field of research (pharmaceutical biotechnology, molecular biotechnology, virology, or a related field)
• In-depth knowledge and substantial experience in viral technologies, cell technology, molecular biotechnology, process development, and analytics
• Several years of professional experience in leading projects or teams, preferably in applied research
• Considerable experience in the acquisition and implementation of research and development projects with national and international partners with a particular focus on industrial cooperation
• Entrepreneurial mindset, strong interest in developing and shaping the department, strong communication skills and willingness to drive cooperation across departments
• Ability to build and maintain a strong interdisciplinary team at the intersection of academic research and industry
• Internationally visible scientific excellence
• A high degree of initiative and personal responsibility

What you can expect

• A responsible task encompassing both leading and developing the current department, with the primary objective of promoting the Fraunhofer VBT to achieve international appeal
• An excellent foundation for developing the department
• Opportunity to embark on a variety of activities within a dynamic and excellent research environment
• Close cooperation with academic and industrial partners
• Access to substantial and flexible resources, both in terms of staff and materials
• Unique opportunity to combine practice and theory while further developing your organisational and management skills
• Mentoring options for personal development
• Family-friendly working culture with flexible working hours and conditions (e.g. home office, public transport subsidy)
• Attractive performance and success-based compensation components

Remuneration is based on TVöD Bund EG 15 (depending on qualifications).

The weekly working time is 39 hours. This position is intended for long-term collaboration. We value and promote the diversity of our employees' skills and therefore welcome all applications - regardless of age, gender, nationality, ethnic and social origin, religion, ideology, disability, sexual orientation and identity. Severely disabled persons are given preference in the event of equal suitability. Appointment, remuneration and social security benefits based on the public-sector collective wage agreement (TVöD). Additionally Fraunhofer may grant performance-based variable remuneration components.

With its focus on developing key technologies that are vital for the future and enabling the commercial utilization of this work by business and industry, Fraunhofer plays a central role in the innovation process. As a pioneer and catalyst for groundbreaking developments and scientific excellence, Fraunhofer helps shape society now and in the future.

Interested? Apply online now. We look forward to getting to know you!

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

[email protected]

Phone: +49 711 970 4009

Fraunhofer Institute for Interfacial Engineering and Biotechnology IGB

Requisition Number: 78096Application Deadline: 09/06/2025