Research group leader, Systems Immunology (m/f/d)

The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut is one of the world’s leading research institutes in the field of animal diseases, animal welfare, animal husbandry, animal nutrition and farm animal genetics. It is part of the portfolio of the Federal Government in these areas. It has state-of-the-art laboratories and experimental animal facilities, including for large animals in biosafety levels 2-4, as well as two insectaria (BSL-2/BSL-3). Eight research groups are currently based at the Institute of Immunology (IfI). Further information on the IfI can be found at https://www.fli.de/de/institute/institut-fuer-immunologie-ifi/.

The Institute of Immunology at the Greifswald – Insel Riems headquarters is seeking to fill the following position
 

Research group leader,
Systems Immunology (m/f/d)

at the earliest possible date. The successful candidate will be employed as federal civil servant (Bundesbeamte/r). The employment relationship, the salary scale and the further regulations are based on the civil service regulations of the Federal Civil Service Act, salary group A 13h BBesO, with probationary civil service status.

Tasks:

The Institute of Immunology investigates the immune response to animal diseases and zoonoses. The successful candidate will establish an independent research group focusing on systems immunology. The group will explore the complexity of immune systems in livestock and/or wildlife, as well as the interactions between immune components and pathogens. Research activities should combine high-resolution analyses of immune cells (e.g., spatial or single-cell multi-omics) with the development of novel in silico approaches. This may include mathematical modeling of biological systems, machine learning and artificial intelligence methods, and the development of innovative algorithms and software pipelines to study immune responses to infection. A holistic approach to analyzing and/or modeling immune systems across species and their responses to infection will promote the translation of discoveries into novel interventions against notifiable animal diseases and/or zoonoses.
 

Requirements:

• University degree in natural sciences, e.g. veterinary medicine, biology or related fields
• Demonstrated scientific excellence, creativity and potential for leadership in a multidisciplinary research environment
• Documented expertise in the field of immunology and bioinformatics and/or mathematical modelling

Addition Qualifications:

• Experience in applying machine learning, deep learning to immunology
• Experience with high resolution -omics approaches including bioinformatics pipelines
• Expertise in work related to viral and/or bacterial pathogens
• Experience in supervision of trainees and interdisciplinary work
• Excellent communication skills in English
• Clear and original research plans and long-term goals

We expect an independent scientific way of working including scientific evaluation and presentation techniques, good administrative skills in project management, motivation and resilience as well as good work organisation and the ability to work in a team. Good knowledge of the German language (official language) or the willingness to learn it within a reasonable period of time is a prerequisite for the successful fulfilment of the task.

In addition to an interesting and varied scientific activities in a highly motivated international environment, we offer employment based on the civil service regulations of the Federal Civil Service Act, including salary regulations and provisions.

The job involves working in a biosecurity environment, which requires a background check according to the Security Clearance Act (Sicherheitsüberprüfungsgesetz, SÜG) and special protective measures against health hazards. Mental and physical suitability is therefore a prerequisite for filling the position.

The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut is committed to a family-friendly working environment by offering flexible working hours and the basic option of part-time employment. Our social benefits include company health and reintegration management, company social counselling and capital-forming benefits.

The FLI aims to increase the proportion of women in leadership positions and explicitly encourages women to apply.

The FLI is also committed to inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are therefore explicitly welcome. They will be given preferential consideration in the selection process.

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Anca Dorhoi (Anca.Dorhoi@fli.de).

We look forward to receiving your application. Please send your complete application (including publication record and references) as a PDF file by 5 April 2026 to the e-mail 009.26@fli.de with the subject “Position 009/26”. Alternatively, you can send your application by post to the Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Referat Personal, Postfach 1318 in 17466 Greifswald – Insel Riems. Please note that incomplete documents may lead to exclusion from the application procedure.

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