Max Planck Research Group leader (m/f/d) (W2) | Clinical psychiatric research

Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry; München; Presencial; EUR 130.000 - 170.000; Jornada completa

Ventajas ofrecidas por este puesto de trabajo

Start-up funds

Annual running costs

Funding for positions

Descripción de la vacante

Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich seeks an outstanding translational scientist to lead an independent research group in mechanism-oriented psychiatry. The position emphasizes human subject research with translational impact, potentially combining clinical duties at the research hospital if requirements are met.

The appointee will lead a group, access cutting-edge facilities, and contribute to cross-institutional collaborations.

Formación

• Outstanding translational researcher with a strong publication record in mechanism-oriented psychiatry.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary teams and managing large-scale projects.
• Track record of securing funding and supervising PhD students or postdocs.

Responsabilidades

• Lead an independent research group focused on mechanistic psychiatry with translational implications.
• Develop and drive interventional, neuroimaging or clinical studies involving patients.
• Collaborate with core units such as neuroimaging, clinical study center and biobanking.

Descripción del empleo

Max Planck Research Group leader (m/f/d) (W2) | Clinical psychiatric research Scientist

Munich

Developmental and Evolutionary Biology & Genetics

Immunobiology and Infection Biology & Medicine

Neurosciences

Physiology

Cognitive Research

Job Offer from September 14, 2026

The Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, located in Munich, Germany, is one of the leading research institutes worldwide investigating the neurobiology of psychiatric disorders. The Institute combines state-of-the-art facilities for basic research and a research hospital, fostering truly translational approaches to unravel the fundamental neuronal and molecular mechanisms underlying these complex diseases of the brain. Our institute currently focuses on pathomechanisms of stress-related psychiatric diseases and psychosis, as well as neuronal circuit mechanisms of emotion regulation, employing methods ranging from in vitro to in vivo models and clinical patient data. Across all these approaches, we maintain a strong emphasis on brain/body interactions, thus tying together a unique range of perspectives in a highly collaborative manner.

https://www.psych.mpg.de/2059163/research

Our Institute brings research and clinical care together, giving you direct access to patients for translational or clinical studies.

Against this background, we are looking for an outstanding translationally oriented scientist with an original and exciting research program in mechanism-oriented psychiatry, including approaches aimed at identifying novel treatment approaches. Work involving human subjects with direct implications for understanding and treating psychiatric disorders is central to this call. This could include interventional, neurophysiological, neuroimaging, and computational studies in patients. The position can be combined with a clinical appointment at our research hospital if board requirements are fulfilled.

The appointed researcher will lead an independent research group.

Funding and supports:

• generous funds for positions
• start-up investments
• annual running costs

The position is considered equivalent to a W2 Professorship at a German university (Associate Professor level internationally). The appointment for this position is initially for 6 years but includes the possibility of merit-based extensions for up to 3 additional years.

The group will have access to the institutional infrastructure and our core service units, including neuroimaging, a clinical study center, biobanking, proteomics and more.

• neuroimaging
• a clinical study center
• biobanking
• proteomics

https://www.psych.mpg.de/1495642/core_units

PhD students may be enrolled through the international PhD program, the International Max-Planck Research School for Translational Psychiatry for a research PhD or a joint Residency/PhD training program (IMPRS-TP) or through the Graduate School in Systemic Neuroscience (GSN).

The Max-Planck Institute is also a member of the German Center of Mental Health, offering many collaborative possibilities.

https://www.dzpg.org/en

The MPI of Psychiatry is an international research institute with English as the working language. We are committed to equal opportunity principles and try to accommodate the needs of families and of disabled employees.

The Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry in Munich (Germany) invites applications from outstanding scientists for an open position of a Max Planck Research Group leader (m/f/d) (W2) in the field of clinical psychiatric research.

The deadline for submitting your application is 12.10.2026

The deadline for receiving the reference letters is 19.10.2026

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to present a talk at an in-person selection symposium, to be held in February 2027.

The Max Planck Society strives for gender equality and diversity. We welcome applications from all backgrounds. Women are especially encouraged to apply. Furthermore, we are committed to encouraging applications from individuals with disabilities in our workforce and applicants as such with equal qualifications will be given preferential treatment. The institute management is very positive towards using parental leave, especially by fathers.