Schaller Research Group Leader Positions in Infectious Diseases at Heidelberg University

The Chica and Heinz Schaller Foundation is a private foundation dedicated to furthering the careers of talented young scientists working in biomedicine at Heidelberg University. The Foundation is currently supporting six Schaller Research Groups. Applications are invited for additional Schaller Research Group Leaders in the field of infectious diseases in collaboration with Heidelberg University and its Center for Integrative Infectious Disease Research.

Applicants should work on important human pathogens (focus virology) and their interactions with the host. Close interaction with other research groups in the Center for Integrative Infectious Disease Research (https://ciid-heidelberg.de/) and other research groups on campus is desired. A research program looking at replication and spread of relevant human viruses in systems of increasing complexity and also addressing host cell effects and the immune response (including development and application of synthetic immunology approaches; https://doi.org/10.1038/s41565-024-01744-9) would be preferable. For more information, please refer to the existing collaborative research consortia SFB1129 (http://www.sfb1129.de/) and SFB-TR179 (http://www.trr179.de/en/) and to the Heidelberg contributions in the German Center for Infection Research (http://www.dzif.de/en/about_us/partner_sites/heidelberg/). The CIID has a strong infrastructure on imaging approaches under BSL2 and BSL3 conditions, including intravital, high resolution and correlative light and electron microscopy (https://www.idip-heidelberg.org/).

The positions are funded by the Chica and Heinz Schaller Foundation for five years in the first instance and may be extended for two more years subject to internal and external review. Successful applicants will receive a flexible funding package for a group leader position along with a postdoctoral scientist, a PhD student and a technician as well as research operating costs and substantial start-up funding.

Applicants should have an exciting research portfolio, excellent publication record, postdoctoral experience and the ability to lead a research group. The new groups will have access to excellent infrastructure and opportunities for integrating in the vibrant biomedical community in Heidelberg. Group members will benefit from existing training programs for pre-doctoral and postdoctoral trainees in Heidelberg. The Foundation is committed to gender equality and diversity in science. 

Please send an application comprising a (i) motivation letter, (ii) curriculum vitae, (iii) two letters of reference, and (iv) concise description of current research and proposed independent research program for a 5-year term (maximally 10 pages) as a single PDF document to [email protected]. Applications that are incomplete or do not adhere the format will not be considered.

Closing date: April 30, 2025