3 Helmholtz Research Groups with Jun. Professorships (RNA-based Infection Research/Medicine/Biology)

The Faculty of Medicine of the Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg and the

Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI, Würzburg) jointly open a call for

three Junior Professorships (f/m/d) (grade W1) in the field of

RNA-based Infection Research

Microbial RNA Biology

RNA-based Medicine

All three positions are to be staffed at the earliest possible date. The appointment at the University of Würzburg will be based on the Berlin Model with simultaneous assignment to the HIRI to fulfil research and management tasks. The appointment will initially be made for a period of three years as a temporary civil servant. The temporary civil servant position can be extended up to a total duration of six years based on a positive interim evaluation. If a final evaluation is positive, a permanent position at HIRI as a research group leader (tenure) may be offered.

The HIRI was jointly founded in 2017 by the Helmholtz Centre for Infection Research (HZI) based in Braunschweig and the Julius-Maximilians-University of Würzburg. The HIRI is the first facility of its kind to combine research on ribonucleic acids (RNA) with infection biology. The institute is located on the campus of the University Hospital Würzburg and offers an attractive, scientific and international environment as well as state-of-the-art infrastructure. Further information can be found at .

We are recruiting excellent scientists with an internationally recognized research profile in basic microbial or medical research. Three separate positions are to be staffed by junior research group leaders (W1) with a research focus on at least one of three areas: i) RNA-based infection research on human bacterial or viral pathogens and the corresponding immune response; ii) Microbial RNA biology across the breadth of bacterial diversity including phages with a focus on the application potential of new molecular complexes with RNA as a key molecule; and iii) RNA-based medicine with RNA as a target molecule, effector or lead molecule including antisense oligonucleotides, therapeutic mRNA, and CRISPR-Cas-based therapies. Close collaboration with the graduate program of the Elite Network of Bavaria Future leaders in RNA-based medicine () is expected as part of iii).

We expect all applicants to demonstrate international excellence according to their specialization and career stage, take on team-oriented leadership roles within the institute, contribute to existing and planned biomedical research structures at the university with basic scientific and translational work.

Your area of responsibility

The University of Würzburg attaches great importance to the intensive supervision of students and doctoral candidates and expects a corresponding level of commitment. The tasks of the future position holder include the representation of RNA-based infection research in academia and teaching as well as the promotion of young scientists. Other important tasks include the acquisition of third-party funding and participation in academic self-administration.

Your qualification profile

Recruitment requirements are a university degree in biology, chemistry, human medicine or a comparable discipline, pedagogical aptitude and an exceptional aptitude for scientific work, which is usually demonstrated by the outstanding qualification of a doctorate in the life or natural sciences or in the medical field (cf. Art. 63 para. 1 sentence 1 BayHIG).

Applicants should be at an early stage on the path to a professorship and have changed university after completing their doctorate or, if the doctorate was completed at the University of Würzburg, have worked academically outside the University of Würzburg for at least two years.

No more than four years should have elapsed between the award of the doctorate and the end of the application period, or a maximum of seven years in the field of medicine or clinical psychology. The date of the doctoral certificate is decisive (cf. Art. 63 para. 1 sentences 5 to 7 BayHIG).

The following qualifications / interests are also relevant for the advertised positions:

• Excellent doctoral degree or comparable special qualification for scientific work
• Internationally visible profile
• Strong understanding of laboratory techniques and workflows in molecular biology
• Strong interest and enthusiasm for RNA-based infection research
• Interest in modern RNA techniques (e.g., single-cell RNA sequencing)
• Strong leadership skills and prior experience managing people
• Excellent written and spoken English
• Results-oriented and responsible work style with a high degree of initiative
• Can-do attitude and ability to develop creative solutions
• High level of diligence, reliability and commitment
• Willingness to support both the University of Würzburg and the HZI / HIRI

We offer…

… a state-of-the-art infrastructure and the newest technologies to promote scientific progress and interdisciplinary collaboration. We strive for excellence both inside and outside the laboratory. The promotion of equal opportunities and competences of our employees and the appreciation of diversity are a matter of course for us. To ensure a good work-life balance, we have created a family-friendly atmosphere with flexible working hours and part-time models, a parent-child room and regular social activities.

How to apply

With your scientific background you apply for either: i) RNA-based infection research, ii) microbial RNA biology or iii) RNA-based medicine.

An appointment as a civil servant can be made only up to the age of 45 in accordance with Art. 65 para. 1 sentence 3 BayHIG in conjunction with Art. 23 para. 1 BayBG. Exceptions are possible in urgent cases.

The University of Würzburg and the HIRI aim to increase the proportion of women in research and teaching and therefore expressly request applications from suitably qualified female academics.

Applicants with severe disabilities will be given preference if they are otherwise equally qualified. In order to safeguard your rights, we ask you to make a clearly recognizable reference to the existence of a degree of severe disability in your cover letter or CV.

The founding director of the HIRI, Professor Dr. Jörg Vogel (), will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the procedure and the structure of the professorships.

Please submit your application by 19^th January 2025 with general documents (cover letter, signed CV, copies of academic certificates, list of publications and third-party funding; see also ‘Information sheet on appointment procedures’ at ).

Applications should be sent to the Dean of the Medical Faculty of the University of Würzburg,

Professor Dr. med. Matthias Frosch

Josef-Schneider-Straße 2, Haus D7

D-97080 Würzburg.

Preferably send your application documents electronically summarized in one single PDF file to:

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