The Max Planck Institute for Terrestrial Microbiology in Marburg (https://www.mpi-marburg.mpg.de/) provides a vibrant and international environment for basic research in microbiology. We are more than 300 scientists that use state-of-the-art technologies to investigate microbes at all levels ranging from structural biology, biochemistry, cellular and molecular microbiology, to microbe-microbe / host / environment interactions. Building on this scale-bridging research, we also include mathematical models and synthetic biology approaches to study how microorganisms function and impact our planet. We come from different backgrounds (molecular and cellular biology, genetics, physiology, structural biology, synthetic biology, [bio]chemistry, and [bio]physics) and interact in a highly collaborative research environment at the Institute and the neighboring University of Marburg with its Center for Synthetic Microbiology (SYNMIKRO; http://www.synmikro.com).    To complement and strengthen research at the Institute, we are looking for an outstanding and highly motivated scientist with a visionary research concept in modern microbiology. We look particularly for scientists that focus on mechanistically oriented aspects of microbial functions and invite interested candidates to apply for a

Max Planck Research Group Leader (m/f/x) position

The position is at the W2 level (equivalent to assistant / associate professor level), available effectively immediately, and comes with an initial, fixed-term contract of five years, with the possibility of extension for up to four additional years (2x2 years) depending on performance. You will be provided with new lab space, a strong, internationally very competitive start-up package, and generous funding for personnel, running costs, and consumables. You will have full access to outstanding, modern and comprehensive core facilities including proteomics, metabolomics, high-resolution live-cell imaging, DNA synthesis and sequencing, robotics, structural biology, cryo-EM, as well as greenhouses. After excellent PhD and post-doctoral training, we expect that you will develop an independent and internationally visible research program, actively interact with other groups at the institute and the local campus, and engage in our International Max Planck Research School (https://www.imprs-marburg.de). To achieve these goals, you will benefit from a highly dynamic and interactive research environment and become part of a newly founded center for Early Career Scientists in Marburg with additional individual and personalized mentoring opportunities. The Max Planck Society is an equal opportunity employer and is striving to increase the proportion of women in areas where they are underrepresented. We therefore encourage female scientists to apply. The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of employees with severe disabilities in its workforce. Applications from persons with severe disabilities are desired. Further information about Max Planck Research Groups is available here: https://www.mpg.de/max-planck-research-groups. If you have any questions, please contact the Managing Director of the MPI for Terrestrial Microbiology, Prof. Dr. Tobias Erb (toerb@mpi-marburg.mpg.de).