Job Offer
Max Planck Research Groups - Announcement 2023
Programme Information
The Max Planck Society (Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.; MPG) is a world-leading, independent, non-profit research organization with the goal to promote cutting-edge basic research. Over 24,000 employees across 85 Max Planck Institutes conduct basic research in the life and natural sciences as well as in the humanities, social sciences, and law, and have a strong interest in innovative and interdisciplinary research.
To support emerging scholars early in their career path the MPG invites outstanding scientists from all fields of research pursued in the organization to apply for the position of
Max Planck Research Group Leader
Successful candidates will lead their own independent Max Planck Research Group at a participating Max Planck Institute of their own choice for a period of six years. An extension of up to three more years is possible and subject to a positive evaluation as well as the respective legal regulations. As a Max Planck Research Group Leader, you will enjoy a world-class research environment at a Max Planck Institute with state-of-the-art infrastructure, administrative support, and the intellectual freedom to pursue an original research programme. Your generous funding package includes a German W2 position (equivalent to an assistant or untenured associate professorship), additional resources for the hiring of scientific staff and a budget to realize the project. The total allocation for a Max Planck Research Group is competitive with other top international career development programmes and amounts to up to 2 million euros for the initial six years. Start of funding is January 2024 at the earliest, with a lead-time of up to three months.
Additional career opportunities
The MPG and the Technische Universität München (TUM) are continuing their joint MPG/TUM career programme, which offers an add-on opportunity for newly recruited Max Planck Research Group Leaders. Once accepted for the position as Max Planck Research Group Leader, successful candidates can apply for a position as a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at TUM, if available. Acceptance into this joint programme includes the right to award doctoral degrees, and further provides career options to Associate and Full Professor status according to the TUM Faculty Tenure Track system. This offer is independent of the chosen Max Planck Institute. Applicants who consider to participate in the MPG/TUM career programme can indicate their interest on the online application portal.
Tenure track options may also be possible with other universities on an individual basis. Furthermore, the MPG may consider outstanding Max Planck Research Group Leaders when recruiting new Directors.
How to apply
The MPG is an equal opportunities employer striving for greater diversity, equality and gender diversity. Therefore, applicants from all genders are welcome. Furthermore, the MPG is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.
The Max Planck Institutes and research facilities operated by the MPG are divided into three sections: the Chemistry, Physics and Technology Section (CPTS), the Biology and Medicine Section (BMS), and the Human Sciences Section (HSS). During the online application process you are asked to choose your Section. Please note that each Section has a separate application process and requires different documents for the application to be considered complete. Applicants should therefore first and foremost identify the Section in which the possible host institute(s) closest to their own field of expertise are located.
Depending on the Section you choose your application should include the following documents:
Human Sciences Section (HSS)
- a cover letter;
- a CV;
- a list of publications in which the applicant should identify the three most important papers that they have written. If they are not the first author, they should, quantitatively specify the applicant’s contribution to the paper;
- copies of three most important papers;
- a research summary limited to one page (11 point type, double spaced, times new roman, 25mm margins on 4 sides) and written for a non-specialist, which explains the main goals of the research work and why the chosen MPI and their MPRG would be a good match;
- a research proposal of no more than three pages total (11 point type, double spaced, times new roman, 25mm margins on 4 sides) including all references, figures, and tables, written for a specialist;
- two letters of recommendation are required for each application to be complete.
Please submit your application via our application portal.
The deadline (limitation period) for applications is May 11, 2023, 11.59 pm CET.
More information about the Max Planck Institutes.
Frequently asked questions
If you want further information about how to apply to become a Max Planck Research Group Leader and for more information about the selection process in general, we recommend visiting our FAQ page.