Scientific Director to head the “Food Microbiology, Pathogen-Host Interactions” unit

The German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) is the national institute which  prepares expert reports and opinions on questions concerning the safety of food, feed and chemicals, as well as consumer health protection, on the basis of internationally recognised scientific evaluation criteria. It advises the Federal Government and other institutions and interest groups in these areas. The BfR conducts its own research on topics that are closely linked to its assessment tasks. It is an institution with legal capacity within the portfolio of the Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture (BMEL). 

The following permanent position is to be filled with immediate effect in the Biological  Safety department at the BfR in the “Food Microbiology, Pathogen-Host Interactions” unit: 

Scientific Director

to head the “Food Microbiology, Pathogen-Host Interactions” unit

- Up to pay grade A 15 BBesO - 

Reference number: 2131/2018

Appointment as a civil servant will be made upon presentation of the prerequisites under civil service law and complete fulfilment of the qualifications profile.  Alternatively, the position can be filled by persons subject to the collective salary agreement (TVöD).  Salary/pay will be commensurate with duties and qualifications. 

The national reference laboratories for Campylobacter, Salmonella and Escherichia coli are located within the “Food Microbiology, Pathogen-Host Interactions” unit in compliance with Regulation (EU) No. 2017/625 (EU control regulation). The tasks of the national reference laboratories include the optimisation, development and validation of methods for the  detection and typing of pathogens, as well as the conducting of interlaboratory comparisons with the laboratories responsible for food monitoring. Experimental tests on pathogens in foods of animal and plant origin are also conducted within this unit. 

Duties: 

• Exercising of the scientific and organisational functions of the head of the unit
• Processing of issues concerning the diagnostics and typing of bacterial pathogens and their behaviour in foods of animal and plant origin
• Assessment of the risks posed by bacterial pathogens in foods; conception of scientific opinions
• Conception, planning and management of national and international scientific research projects; acquisition of third party funding; publication of research results
• Scientific conception, organisation and execution of workshops and expert discussions
• National and international committee activities, especially on food microbiology matters
• Promotion and support of postgraduates

Requirements: 

•  University degree (master’s, diploma or comparable university degree) with doctorate in Veterinary Medicine, Human Medicine, Biology, or comparable qualification, habilitation or comparable postdoctoral qualification preferred
• Several years of practical experience in the field of food microbiology and the diagnostics of zoonotic bacterial pathogens
• Experience of laboratory experiments on pathogen-host interactions preferred
• Experience of microbiological risk assessment of advantage
• Experience of quality management in a microbiological laboratory (ISO 17025) and  administration (ISO 9001) of advantage
• Experience of the acquisition and conducting of third party-funded projects
• Proven experience of the drafting of scientific reports, publications and presentations in German and English
• Experience of scientific committee work (national, international)
• Strongly pronounced sense of responsibility and quality consciousness, as well as great willingness to learn, good communication skills and ability to deal with conflicts
• Experience of the management of interdisciplinary scientific teams of advantage
• Family-conscious management capability, knowledge of the connections between  management behaviour, motivation and willingness to perform
• Willingness to further develop management skills
• Very good written and spoken English, other foreign language skills of advantage
• Good computer literacy (databases, web-based internet research, laboratory information and management software), as well as a conscientious work approach, flexibility, ability to work in a team and the ability to cope with pressure are prerequisites, as is willingness to travel on business 

As a family-friendly institute, we also offer part-time work models for executive positions to the extent that each job allows. 

The place of work is Berlin. 

More detailed information is available from Prof. Dr. Nöckler (Tel.: 030 18412-2153) and  Dr. Wichmann-Schauer (Tel.: 030 18412-1914). 

Application procedure 

Does this appeal to you? 

Then please submit your application via our online system by 22. February 2019: 

https://apps.bfr.bund.de/dbv3n/apply.jsp?id=002131en&dbv3_man=allgemein

If you have any questions regarding the application procedure, please contact:  bewerbung@bfr.bund.de.

Please do not send any applications to this e-mail address. 

If you are unable to submit your application online, you have the option of sending it by standard mail, stating the relevant reference number (Bundesinstitut für  Risikobewertung, Personalreferat - 11.17 -, Max-Dohrn-Str. 8-10, 10589 Berlin, Germany). 

The BfR welcomes applications from people of all nationalities. The BfR is an innovative scientific institute offering family-friendly working  conditions for which it was awarded the “audit berufundfamilie®” (work and family) certificate. The BfR guarantees equal career opportunities for women and men, and is therefore particularly interested in receiving applications from women. In the case of equal suitability, severely  disabled applicants will be given preferential consideration and are only required to have a minimum level of physical suitability.