As part of its strategic planning, the University Medical Center Göttingen (UMG) is pursuing the continuous further development of its profile-forming priority research areas molecular cell biology, neurosciences, cardiovascular medicine and oncology. With its German Centers for Health Research (DZHK, DZNE and DZKJ), collaborative research centers, and other collaborative research grants, the UMG offers a dynamic and collaborative research environment. As partner at the Göttingen Campus, we foster close ties with the university's natural and life sciences institutions, as well as non-university research institutions, to advance groundbreaking research and discoveries.

The “UMG 2032 - Excellence through Focus” project, funded by the State of Lower Saxony and the VolkswagenStiftung through the zukunft.niedersachsen program, aims to connect the four established priority research areas and unite them under the cross-organ and cross-disease concept of “Metabolic Plasticity”. As one of the main measures of “UMG 2032 - Excellence through Focus”, we are offering four Postdoctoral positions for outstanding, preferably international, early-career researchers in the field of Metabolic Plasticity.

We are looking for Postdoctoral scientists in an early career phase, who are passionate about making a substantial contribution to the further development of the topic of Metabolic Plasticity. As an Early Postdoc, you will have the opportunity to establish your own research program with significant impacts in this field. Applicants must apply in collaboration with one of our scientific or clinical departments as the host institution at UMG. Each department may submit only one application. Departments whose applicants were not selected in the first round are welcome to re-apply with a new candidate.

 
Key requirements
- Hold a PhD (or equivalent) in biochemistry, molecular biology, cell biology, physiology, biomedicine, or a related field, awarded within the past 5 years. For applicants currently in the final stages of completing their degree: the thesis defense must have been successfully completed by the application deadline, Sunday, May 03, 2026. Otherwise, the application will not be considered.
- Demonstrate a strong research track record, including peer-reviewed publications.
- Submit a joint application with one of our scientific or clinical departments as the host institution at UMG
- Be fluent in English (written and spoken); German language skills are not required but are an asset.

For further information please visit: https://www.umg.eu/en/research/projects-programs/excellence-through-focus/early-postdocs-positions/

What we offer

- Funding of your own position and consumables for initially 3 years to develop an individual research profile in the field of Metabolic Plasticity. Extension for an additional 2 years is possible and will depend on a successful interim evaluation.
- A vibrant, multidisciplinary, collaborative and internationally-visible research environment with access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and facilities.
- On-campus mentoring and “soft skills” training programs.

Prospective applicants should prepare a joint application with the following documents:
- CV (up to 2 pages) detailing academic training and achievements
- List of research output, e.g. peer-reviewed papers, patents
- Letter of support from the host department at UMG, briefly outlining the integration of the applicant into the department and its infrastructure
- Brief research proposal (2 pages)
- Proof of PhD completion (or equivalent)

Applications will be selected by the “UMG 2032 Steering committee” consisting of faculty members and external internationally renowned scientists. We look forward to your application.

Application deadline is Sunday, May 03, 2026 before the end of the day. Informal inquiries can be directed to Dr. Vanessa Kruse (potenziale-entfalten@med.uni-goettingen.de), coordinator of “UMG 2032 - Excellence through Focus”. Please note that applications submitted without a signed letter of support from a UMG host department will not be considered.