Max Planck Research Groups – Central Announcement 2024

The Max Planck Society is currently looking for new Max Planck Research Group Leaders.

The current call for proposals is closed. The next call for proposals is expected to take place from 9. September 2025 to 14. October 2025.

The Max Planck Society (Max-Planck-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Wissenschaften e.V.; MPG) is a world-leading, independent, non-profit research organization with the goal of promoting cutting-edge basic research. Over 24,000 employees across 84 Max Planck Institutes and research facilities conduct basic research in the life and natural sciences as well as the humanities, social sciences and law and have a strong interest in innovative and interdisciplinary research.

To support emerging scholars early in their career path, the MPG invites all scientists with a doctorate working in any field of research pursued in the organization to apply for one of several positions as

Max Planck Research Group Leader (m/f/d).

Successful candidates will lead their own independent Max Planck Research Group at a participating Max Planck Institute of their own choice for a period of six years. An extension of up to three more years is possible and subject to a positive evaluation as well as the respective legal regulations.

As a Max Planck Research Group Leader, you will enjoy a world-class research environment at a Max Planck Institute with state-of-the-art infrastructure, administrative support, and the intellectual freedom to pursue an original research programme. Your funding package covers a W2 position in accordance with remuneration group W2 Federal Civil Service Remuneration Act (equivalent to assistant or non-tenured associate professor), resources for the hiring of scientific staff, and a generous budget for equipment and consumables. The total allocation for a Max Planck Research Group amounts to up to 2.7 million euros for the initial six years. Start of funding is October 2025 at the earliest.

The MPG is an equal opportunities employer striving for greater gender equality and diversity. Therefore, applicants from all genders are welcome. Furthermore, the MPG is committed to increasing the number of individuals with severe disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals.

How to apply

The Max Planck Institutes and research facilities operated by the MPG are divided into three sections: the Biology and Medicine Section (BMS), the Chemistry, Physics and Technology Section (CPTS), and the Human Sciences Section (HSS). During the online application process you are asked to choose your Section. This choice determines which of the three committees will evaluate your application. Please note that each Section has slightly different application instructions which may include additional references and mandatory guidelines on how to prepare your application. Applicants should therefore first and foremost identify the Section in which the possible host institute(s) closest to their own field of expertise is/are located.

Depending on the Section you choose your application should include the following documents:

Biology and Medicine Section (BMS)

a cover letter;
a CV highlighting past research accomplishments;
a list of publications in which the applicant should identify the three most important papers that they have written. If they are not the first author, they should quantitatively specify their contribution to the paper;
a research summary limited to one page and written for a non-specialist, which explains the main goals of the research work and why the applicant’s preferred MPI and their proposed MPRG would be a good match;
a research proposal of no more than three pages total including all references, figures, and tables, written for a specialist;
copies of the three most important papers;
two letters of recommendation.

Chemistry, Physics and Technology Section (CPTS)

a cover letter;
a CV;
a list of publications in which the applicant should identify the three most important papers that they have written. If they are not the first author, they should quantitatively specify their contribution to the paper;
a research summary limited to one page (11 point type, double spaced, Times New Roman, 25mm margins on 4 sides) and written for a non-specialist, which explains the main goals of the research work and why the applicant’s preferred MPI and their proposed MPRG would be a good match;
a research proposal of no more than three pages total (11 point type, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 25mm margins on 4 sides) including all references, figures, and tables, written for a specialist;
two letters of recommendation.

Human Sciences Section (HSS)

a cover letter;
a CV;
a list of publications in which the applicant should identify the three most important papers that they have written. If they are not the first author, they should quantitatively specify their contribution to the paper;
a research summary limited to one page (11 point type, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 25mm margins on 4 sides) and written for a non-specialist, which explains the main goals of the research work and why the applicant’s preferred MPI and their proposed MPRG would be a good match;
a research proposal of no more than five pages total (11 point type, double-spaced, Times New Roman, 25mm margins on 4 sides) including all references, figures, and tables, written for a specialist;
copies of the three most important papers;
two letters of recommendation.

Tenure Track cooperation with the Technical University of Munich

The Max Planck Society (MPG) and the Technische Universität München (TUM) offer an add-on opportunity for newly recruited Max Planck Research Group Leaders: Once accepted for the position as Max Planck Research Group Leader, successful candidates can apply for a position as a Tenure Track Assistant Professor at TUM, if available. Acceptance into this joint programme provides career options to Associate and Full Professor status according to the TUM Faculty Tenure Track system. This offer is independent of the chosen Max Planck Institute. Applicants who consider to participate in the MPG/TUM career programme can indicate their interest at the online application portal. More information about the joint MPG/TUM career programme can be found here.

Tenure track options may also be possible with other universities on an individual basis.

Career development, services and future career opportunities

Planck Academy Programmes and Services

The Planck Academy offers a variety of learning, development, and networking formats within the new Max Planck Leaders Programme for Research Group Leaders. It is designed to provide Research Group Leaders with the best possible support such as in-depth modules on self-leadership, innovation, entrepreneurship, and conflict management as well as individual support in the form of Executive Coaching. The coaching scheme is centrally funded and open to all leadership staff throughout the MPG.

Furthermore, the Max Planck Society attaches great importance to family friendliness and provides a wide range of services to facilitate the challenging balance between career and family.

Future Career Opportunities

The position of Max Planck Research Group Leader is limited in time. However, the further career prospects are exceptionally good. As current data shows, the position offers young scientists an excellent opportunity to qualify themselves for key scientific positions within the Max Planck Society or at other institutions. Over 80 percent of former Max Planck Research Group Leaders who have left their position since 2004 were immediately appointed to a full or associate professorship. The Max Planck Society also considers outstanding Research Group Leaders when recruiting new Directors.