Better together. For life.

At the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), we are committed to excellence in research, education, and comprehensive healthcare across our clinics. Every day, our team of approximately 16,100 dedicated employees works to make the world a healthier place. Our goal is to be one of the leading university hospitals while also being the best employer in our industry.


At UKE, we believe that meaningful and successful work should align with our employees' personal needs and individual lifestyles. Just as diverse as these needs are, so too is the variety of personalized solutions we offer.


Welcome to the UKE.
About CRC1648


CRC1648 focuses on scientific preparedness for emerging viral infections that pose major threats to global health, such as Ebola, MERS, Lassa fever, pandemic influenza and others. The consortium aims to address key knowledge gaps in four major research areas in the context of emerging virus research:




Pathogenesis - mechanisms of viral disease

Target Characterization - identification of viral and host molecules critical for infection

Immunity - understanding immune defense and immunopathology in viral infections

Intervention - development of antiviral and vaccine strategies


By integrating cellular, structural, computational, and chemical biology, CRC1648 combines basic and translational research to develop innovative approaches for combating current and future viral outbreaks, including as-yet-unknown pathogens (“Disease X”).


Position Description:


The Junior Research Group Leader will conduct independent research projects aligned with the overarching themes of CRC1648. The successful candidate will establish their own research group and contribute to the collaborative and interdisciplinary environment of the CRC1648.


The group will be fully integrated into the CRC1648 network, benefitting from shared infrastructure, core facilities, and extensive scientific exchange. Active participation in CRC1648 meetings, training activities, and joint research initiatives is expected.


Your Tasks:



Establish and lead a Junior Research Group focusing on emerging viruses
Contribute to the pandemic preparedness framework of CRC1648
Introduce innovative techniques or model systems that advance CRC1648 research
Collaborate with CRC1648 members and contribute to joint research projects


The position offers competitive funding for three years for personnel and consumables. The Junior Research Group Leader will potentially have the opportunity to apply as a project leader in the next CRC1648 funding period starting in summer 2028, provided that the candidate demonstrates the requisite scientific competitiveness.

Doctoral degree (PhD or MD/PhD) in biology, biochemistry, human biology, or a related field; alternatively, an MD degree with a strong clinician scientist background
Fulfillment of the DFG criteria for early career researchers*

Proven research excellence and a strong publication record as first or senior author
Demonstrated ability for independent research and project management

High motivation to pursue a successful scientific career in basic or translational research

Commitment to collaboration within the CRC1648 and contribution to its interdisciplinary goals


* An early career scientist is defined as someone who has not completed their doctoral degree more than eight years ago (the year of the oral examination is decisive). Maternity and parental leave (to be specified in research profiles) extend this period by two years for each child, up to a maximum of 12 years.


Application Documents


Please submit a single PDF file including:



Cover letter outlining your research vision and motivation (max. 2 pages)
Curriculum vitae including a publication list (preferably in DFG format)
Summary of previous research achievements (max. 2 pages)
Short project proposal (max. 3 pages) aligned with CRC1648 themes
Contact details for three refe...