Head of IT (all genders), full-time, at MPI-IS Stuttgart

Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems; Stuttgart; On-site; EUR 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible working hours

Mobile working möglich

Performance-based bonuses

Further education and training

Daycare center on campus

Deutschland-Jobticket subsidy

Many other benefits

Job summary

The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) Stuttgart seeks a Head of IT to lead a dedicated IT team, drive secure and efficient infrastructure, and coordinate cross-unit planning with campus partners. You will manage budgets, guide researchers on computing and data management, and shape IT services across platforms.

Requirements include a university degree in CS/IT, several years of IT architecture and security experience, and fluent English and German (C1+).

Qualifications

• University degree in computer science, information technology, or related field or equivalent.
• Hands-on IT architecture, networks, servers, virtualization, or identity management.
• Experience leading a team or coordinating IT specialists.
• Experience in research/academic IT environments is a plus.
• Good knowledge of IT security and data privacy (GDPR/DSGVO).
• Excellent written and spoken English and German (C1+).
• Structured, independent, hands-on work style with strong service mindset.

Responsibilities

• Lead Stuttgart IT team as line manager, set priorities, support development.
• Ensure secure, reliable operation of heterogeneous IT infrastructure across platforms.
• Coordinate IT planning with other units, scientific and security needs.
• Organize IT support and researchers' assistance via internal ticketing system.
• Advise researchers on IT solutions, computing, and data management.
• Plan IT projects, budget, and oversee procurement and licenses.
• Coordinate with Tübingen team and campus partners like MaxIT, GWDG, MPCDF.

Skills

IT leadership

IT security

Data privacy

English C1

German C1

Structured work

Service mindset

Education

Bachelor’s degree in computer science / IT

Job description

The Max Planck Institute for Intelligent Systems (MPI-IS) conducts research on intelligent systems that perceive, learn, and interact. Through fundamental research across computational, physical, and social dimensions, we shape artificial intelligence and robotics to advance knowledge and benefit society.

Professional IT services are essential to the success of our diverse research community. As Head of IT at our Stuttgart site, you will lead an established team of qualified IT specialists. You will work closely with other leaders across our institute, the IT team at our Tübingen site, and our campus partners, the Max Planck Institute for Solid State Research and the University of Stuttgart.

We are looking for a

Head of IT (all genders), full-time, at MPI-IS Stuttgart

Roles & Responsibilities

• Lead our Stuttgart IT team, both professionally and as line manager, set priorities, and support each team member's development.
• Ensure the secure, reliable, and efficient operation of our heterogeneous IT infrastructure, including networks, servers, storage, backup, virtualization, identity management, and Linux, Windows, and macOS clients.
• Lead cross-unit planning and coordination of future IT requirements, ensuring alignment with scientific, organizational, and security needs.
• Organize IT support, including our internal ticketing system, for researchers and central staff.
• Advise researchers on IT solutions, scientific computing, and research data management.
• Plan and carry out IT projects, plan the IT budget, and oversee procurement and license management.
• Coordinate with the IT team in Tübingen, our campus partners, and central Max Planck IT services such as MaxIT, GWDG, and MPCDF.

Education & Experience

• University degree (bachelor's or higher) in computer science, information technology, or a related field, or an equivalent qualification.
• Several years of hands-on experience in IT system architecture, networks, servers, virtualization, and/or identity management.
• Experience leading a team or coordinating IT specialists.
• Ideally, experience in IT support for a research institute, a university, or in the public sector.
• Good knowledge of IT security and data privacy (GDPR/DSGVO).
• Excellent written and spoken English and German (C1 level or above in both languages).
• A structured, independent, and hands-on way of working, with a strong service mindset.

Our offer

You will join a highly qualified, international team of about seven core IT staff plus several affiliated IT administrators on a lively research campus in Stuttgart.

• flexible working hours
• the possibility of mobile working
• potential annual performance-based bonuses
• opportunities for further education and training
• a daycare center on campus
• a subsidy for the Deutschland-Jobticket (ÖPNV)
• many other benefits

We are offering an initial two-year contract with the possibility of becoming permanent at the end of that fixed term. Based on your qualifications and previous professional experience, a salary of up to EG 12 (TVöD Bund) is possible according to the Public Service Wage Agreement. All social benefits of public service apply.

Preference will be given to applications received by December 1, 2026.

Questions regarding the position should be directed to Dr. Matthias Tröndle at [e-mail].

Equal Opportunity and Diversity

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in its workforce in areas where they are underrepresented and therefore explicitly encourages women to apply. At MPI-IS, we celebrate diversity and believe that bringing together different perspectives and backgrounds is key to advancing science. We look for many different skills and abilities, so even if you do not meet every listed requirement, we would still love to hear from you.