The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut is one of the world’s leading research institutes in the fields of animal diseases, animal welfare, animal husbandry, animal nutrition and farm animal genetics. It belongs to the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Regional Identity and provides information and advice to the Federal Government in these areas.
The Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases (INNT) at its Greifswald – Insel Riems headquarters is seeking to fill, as soon as possible, the position of
Deputy Head of Institute (m/f/d)
(Director and Professor, full-time weekly hours, pay grade B1 of the federal pay regulation for civil servants – BBesO -, given the career and other requirements are met, or non-pay-scale salaried employee with non-tariff remuneration equivalent to pay grade B1 of the BBesO).
Tasks:
The FLI houses state-of-the-art laboratories and experimental animal facilities of the biological safety levels (BSL) 2 to 4. Our unique infrastructure enables research on and with animal models, including farm animals, at all the aforementioned safety levels, including BSL-4. The Institute of Novel and Emerging Infectious Diseases (INNT) consists of a team strong in research focussing on ‘BSL-4 pathogens from farm animal reservoirs’ and ‘arbovirus infections in vertebrates’, and conducts both basic and applied research in these fields. The Institute’s activities are primarily conducted in safety levels BSL-3 and BSL-4, and provide the basis for diagnostics and policy advice within the framework of the reference laboratories housed at the INNT (including Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever virus, Ebola virus, henipaviruses and West Nile virus). In the future, the aforementioned research areas – particularly regarding BSL-4 pathogens in terms of host-pathogen interaction, pathogenesis in reservoir and final hosts, and the development of intervention strategies – are to be further developed and increasingly integrated into cross-institutional initiatives. The INNT is already closely involved in a wide range of national and international collaborations and projects aimed at pre-pandemic preparedness against highly pathogenic zoonotic pathogens; this work is to be continued and further expanded.
Further information on the INNT can also be found at https://www.fli.de/en/institutes/institute-of-novel-and-emerging-infectious-diseases-innt/.
Requirements:
We are looking for a highly qualified researcher, particularly in the fields of veterinary medicine, medicine, the life sciences or related disciplines. The successful candidate will have many years of experience in research and project work in the field of highly pathogenic zoonotic pathogens at biosafety level 4, as demonstrated by relevant publications.
In addition, we expect many years of leadership experience in a research group or department, excellent communication skills and the ability to lead staff in a team-oriented manner. Relevant experience in securing external funding is also required. We further expect a very good command of English and a good command of German, or the willingness to acquire these skills.
A habilitation or qualification demonstrable through equivalent academic achievements is desirable. Ideally, you have extensive experience serving on national and international expert committees. Experience working with relevant animal models under BSL-4 conditions is also advantageous; otherwise, a willingness to acquire this experience is required.
The position involves working in the biosafety containment, which requires a security clearance check in accordance with the Security Clearance Act (SÜG) and special precautions against health hazards. Personal and health suitability are therefore prerequisites for filling this position.
Our institute is committed to a family-friendly working environment through flexible working hours and the general option of part-time employment. Our employee benefits include a workplace health and return-to-work management program, workplace social counselling, and capital-forming benefits.
The FLI has set itself the goal of increasing the proportion of women in leadership positions and expressly encourages women to apply.
We foster a diverse and cosmopolitan working environment. The Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut is committed to inclusion. Applications from people with severe disabilities are therefore particularly welcome. Such applicants will be given preferential consideration in the selection process.
In line with our international focus, we welcome applications from people of all nationalities and ethnic backgrounds.
For further information, please contact PD Dr Anne Balkema-Buschmann (+49-38351-71515, email: anne.balkema-buschmann@~@fli.de).
We look forward to receiving your application. Please send your comprehensive and complete application documents by 25 October 2026, exclusively as a PDF file with the subject line ‘Position 091/26’, by email to 091.26@~@fli.de
Alternatively, you may also send your application by mail to Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Referat 12, Postfach 1318, 17466 Greifswald – Insel Riems, Germany. Please note that incomplete applications may result in exclusion from the application process.
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