University Professor of Functional Genomics and Molecular Neurobiology

Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz (JGU) is one of the largest universities in Germany. Thanks to its location in the Rhine-Main science region – home to the RMU Alliance formed by JGU, Goethe University, and TU Darmstadt – JGU can utilize its full potential and showcase its dynamic, innovative power. Its status as a comprehensive university allows for multidisciplinary learning and teaching at JGU, in turn, paving the way for internationally renowned, interdisciplinary research. Almost all of its faculties and departments are located on a single campus close to the Mainz city center, creating a lively academic culture for researchers, teaching staff, and students from all over the world.

The Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology at the Faculty of Biology invites applications for the position of a

University Professor of Functional Genomics and Molecular Neurobiology

beginning at the earliest date possible. Salary grade W 2 LBesG | Civil servant (tenured)

Tasks and expectations:

We seek an outstanding candidate with a strong expertise in genetics and molecular biology, including the application of these approaches to the nervous system. Internationally recognised expertise and a strong track record of successfully securing external funding are required. Collaboration within the Faculty of Biology, the University Medical Centre, the Institute of Molecular Biology (IMB) and participation in current and future research consortia is expected.

The successful candidate will receive departmental positions and start-up funds and will be expected to establish an independent and internationally visible research program sustained by third party funding. Examples of further cooperation opportunities include: Institute of Quantitative and Computational Biosciences (IQCB) as well as collaborative research centres (e.g. CRC 1361 DNA Repair & Genome Stability; CRC 1551 Polymer Concepts in Cellular Function), the Research Unit FOR 5289 (From Imprecision to Robustness in Neural Circuit Assembly), or the Research Training Groups 4R (R-Loop Regulation in Robustness and Resilience) and GenEvo (Gene regulation in Evolution), the Carl-Zeiss-funded project for Interactive Bio-materials for Neural Regeneration and profile areas such as ReALity (Resilience - Adaptation - Longevity) or the Centre of Healthy Aging (further details here). The Rhine-Main Neuroscience Network (rmn²) offers further collaboration opportunities within the Rhine Main region.

Finally, the successful candidate will teach practical and theoretical courses in genetics, molecular biology and neurobiology at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level. We seek to increase the number of courses taught in English. Teaching is conducted in English and, in the basic Bachelor modules, in German. Applicants are therefore expected to be proficient in English and German. German language skills need to be acquired within five years of appointment. Participation in academic service is expected.

Requirements:

• In addition to the general requirements according to public services law, applicants must meet the recruitment requirements stipulated in Section 49 of the Hochschulgesetz of Rhineland-Palatinate. 
• In addition to the doctorate, a demonstration of excellent academic achievements is required.

The state of Rhineland-Palatinate and JGU are committed to close personal mentoring of students and expect teaching staff to have a strong presence on campus. A cooperative, team-oriented and proactive work attitude, strong communication skills, and the willingness to assume responsibility – including further professional development in accordance with JGU’s leadership guidelines – is also expected.

Commitments of JGU:

JGU firmly supports making family and career compatible and promotes its employees’ further professional development. JGU welcomes qualified applications from people from diverse backgrounds. JGU aims to increase the number of women in research and teaching and therefore encourages female researchers to apply.

Candidates with severe disabilities or with equivalent status (as defined by section 2 subsection 3 of the Ninth Book of the Social Code, SGB IX) and appropriate qualifications will be given priority.

Please upload your complete application information and documents (CV, references, diplomas and certificates, as well as lists of publications and teaching activities, funding record, current research and future research plans, teaching concept) no later than September 30, 2026 via our portal with the following link:

https://berufungsportal.uni-mainz.de/datenabfrage/Genomics_Neurobiology

The interview symposium is tentatively planned for November 2026.

For questions and further information, please contact the chairperson of the search committee Prof. Martin Heine (marthein@uni-mainz.de).

Information on data protection: https://karriere.uni-mainz.de/en/#hinweise-zum-datenschutz