Division Head In “Cancer Early Detection Imaging”

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum; Heidelberg; On-site; EUR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tenured position (W3)

Core funding and facilities

National and international networking

30 vacation days

Mobile work option

Family-friendly policies

Job ticket subsidy

Health management program

Job summary

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) in Heidelberg seeks a Division Head to lead a pioneering imaging program focused on low-field MRI for early cancer detection. The role integrates clinical radiology leadership with AI-based image analysis in a collaborative research environment.

The successful candidate will drive translational research, secure funding, and mentor researchers within the NCPC and DKFZ network across multiple disciplines.

Qualifications

• Medical doctoral degree with radiology board certification and German approbation.
• Significant experience in human cancer imaging, especially MRI.
• Habilitation or equivalent academic qualification expected.
• Outstanding scientific track record and leadership in research.
• Commitment to cancer prevention imaging and team science.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific and clinical leadership for an interdisciplinary imaging program.
• Translate validated MRI methods into safe, accessible early detection pathways.
• Foster collaboration across DKFZ divisions, NCPC and external partners.
• Secure competitive external funding and support training initiatives.

Skills

Radiology leadership

MRI expertise

Research leadership

Grant acquisition

Team science

Collaboration

Education

Medical Doctorate (MD)

MD/PhD

German Approbation

Habilitation / equivalent

Job description

Reference number: 2026-0208

• Heidelberg
• Full-time
• Management Board

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is one of Europe’s largest cancer research centers. “Research for a life without cancer" is the mission of our world-class scientists and all our team members.

The DKFZ is a place where the brightest minds pursue bold ideas and seek answers to pioneering scientific questions through collaboration, innovation, and exploration across many disciplines. We provide a dynamic environment which empowers excellence with state-of-the-art technologies, cutting edge infrastructure, and a global scientific network.

Contribute your knowledge, vision, and dedication to create a space where scientific discovery in cancer research is transformed into benefits for human health.

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) welcomes applications for a tenured position as

The new division will establish a pioneering research program to develop, validate, and translate low-field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) approaches for cancer early detection. The division will contribute to a paradigm shift from conventional high-field, disease-oriented diagnostic imaging toward cost-efficient, high-throughput, AI-supported detection of early and even preclinical cancer warning signals. This research will be embedded in an environment allowing also other imaging modalities like CT and ultrasound as well as in broader collaborative efforts in cancer early detection, biomarker research, and cancer epidemiology.

The advertised position is strategically embedded in the research topic "Imaging, Radiooncology and Oncoengineering" and the expansion of the National Cancer Prevention Center (NCPC) - a forward-looking joint initiative of the DKFZ and the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe). The NCPC is currently being established for the systematic strengthening of evidence-based cancer prevention in research, application, and transfer to society. Under one roof, multidisciplinary divisions from epidemiology, public health, molecular prevention, exercise, and nutrition will work closely together to develop innovative prevention measures, evaluate them scientifically, and disseminate them nationwide.

Job description:

The new division will develop innovative low-field MRI methods for cancer early detection, combining clinical radiology, prospective early detection studies, and AI-based image and raw data analysis. It will work closely with the DKFZ Divisions of Radiology, Medical Physics in Radiology, Medical Image Computing, and Clinical Epidemiology of Early Cancer Detection, integrating clinical imaging expertise with MRI technology development, quantitative image analysis, artificial intelligence, and early detection epidemiology.

Embedded in the DKFZ and Heidelberg research ecosystem, the division will connect prevention research at the NCPC with clinical and translational imaging research at the NCT and DKTK. Its research program will focus on standardized, rapid, scalable, and cost-efficient low-field MRI workflows; prospective validation in healthy individuals, risk-adapted cohorts, and cancer patients; and AI-based detection of early cancer warning signals, including approaches using MRI raw data before image reconstruction.

Collaboration with industry partners in imaging technology, together with DKFZ innovation management, will be an important element in translating the low-field MRI platform into scalable solutions with societal impact, including a clear perspective toward product development and real-world implementation.

The division head will provide scientific and clinical leadership for this interdisciplinary research program and support the translation of validated methods into safe, accessible, and evidence-based early detection pathways, including their health-economic evaluation and implementation across NCPC satellite sites.

Requirements:

• A medical doctoral degree (e.g., MD or MD/PhD), board certification in radiology, with German approval to practice as a physician (Approbation), and clinical experience as a diagnostic radiologist after board exam, including approval for MR imaging, are mandatory
• Significant expertise in human cancer imaging is required, particularly MRI, but also in other relevant radiodiagnostic methods such as CT and ultrasound
• Habilitation or an equivalent academic qualification is also expected
• An outstanding scientific track record
• High interest in focussing research on early cancer prevention imaging, embedded in broader research on early cancer detection
• Demonstrated leadership experience and success in securing competitive external funding
• A commitment to fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and innovative research environment, team science
• Evidence of effective and modern teaching and further education experience
• High level of academic commitment

We offer:

• A tenured position at the level of a DKFZ Division Head (W3 remuneration equivalent).
• Attractive core funding and access to cutting-edge research facilities and resources as well as competitive internal funding opportunities of the DKFZ and the Helmholtz Association.
• A highly supportive research environment at the DKFZ, the National Cancer Prevention Center (NCPC), the Hopp Children’s Tumor Center Heidelberg (KiTZ), the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), the National Center for Tumor Diseases (NCT) and the wider scientific community, including Heidelberg University, as well as opportunities for national and international networking at the highest level
• Campus with modern, state-of-the-art infrastructure
• 30 days of vacation per year
• Possibility of mobile work and part-time work
• Family-friendly working environment, e.g., parent-child room and advisory services
• Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
• Administrative support for extramural grant application
• Our Corporate Health Management Program offers a holistic approach to your well-being

Duration: The position is permanent.

Application Deadline: October 22, 2026

We are convinced that an innovative research and working environment thrives on the diversity of its employees. Therefore, we welcome applications from talented people, regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical ability, religion and age. People with severe disabilities are given preference if they have the same aptitude.

Notice: We are subject to the regulations of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). Therefore, all our employees must provide proof of immunity against measles.