The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg is looking to appoint an outstanding scientist to a
Full Professorship „General Microbiology" (W3 salary)
at the Faculty of Natural Sciences 1 - Biosciences, Institute of Biology. The position is available from April 2028 onwards. In line with the MLU's long-term vision for knowledge and learning, sustainability, and transformation, the successful candidate is expected to address key questions in the field of "sustainability".
We are seeking a candidate with leadership competence, innovative research concepts and an independent, internationally visible research profile in the field of microbiology. Early-career junior group leaders who have already demonstrated scientific excellence through the independent acquisition of competitive third-party funding (e.g. Emmy Noether Programme, ERC Starting Grants, or comparable funding schemes) and high-quality publications are particularly encouraged to apply.
The successful candidate is expected to pursue an innovative and conceptually well-founded research programme addressing fundamental mechanisms of microbial physiology, metabolic regulation, gene expression, adaptation, or evolution. Possible thematic foci include, but are not limited to, molecular control mechanisms of cellular processes, regulatory networks, stress responses, or microbial interactions with their biotic or abiotic environment, as well as their evolutionary dynamics and functional diversification. The scientific focus is on one or more microorganisms and on the identification of universal biological principles, rather than on clinical or medical questions.
The professorship will play a key role in the strategic development and profile building of the Faculty. In the long term, it is expected to substantially and visibly strengthen at least two of the Faculty's three strategic research priorities: protein/RNA research, biodiversity research, and molecular plant sciences. The applicant's previous research should align with at least one of these priority areas and, beyond that, demonstrate the potential to develop new interdisciplinary interfaces between multiple research foci. In a Research Statement, applicants should clearly outline how synergies between the Faculty's research priorities will be strengthened, existing research networks enriched, and future collaborative research initiatives developed.
The professorship is responsible for representing general microbiology in its full breadth in teaching at the Bachelor's and Master's levels, as well as in teacher-training programmes in biology. It will make a substantial contribution to foundational microbiological education and is expected to provide impulses for the further development of research-oriented, innovative, and interdisciplinary teaching formats. Teaching experience and strong didactic competence are required. Applicants are requested to submit a Teaching Statement outlining their teaching philosophy and describing concrete contributions to the further development of the Faculty's study programmes.
Applicants must fulfil the appointment requirements according to § 35 of the Higher Education Act of Saxony-Anhalt. In particular, the prerequisites for appointment are a relevant habilitation or equivalent academic achievements and pedagogical aptitude. A willingness to participate in university self-administration is desired. Further tasks and responsibilities are regulated in § 34 of the Saxony-Anhalt State Higher Education Act.
In particular, we aim to increase the proportion of women appointed as permanent staff; therefore, appropriately qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply for this position. The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg is committed to diversity and aims to create an inclusive environment where our staff and students feel valued and inspired.
The Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg strives to provide an environment compatible with work-life balance and has been certified as a family-friendly university since 2009. For queries pertinent to reconciling of work and family life please contact the family representative of the Martin Luther University Prof. Dr. Kay Saalwächter (kay.saalwaechter@physik.uni-halle.de, Tel. 0345-5528560).
Applications from candidates with disabilities are particularly welcome and will be given preference in the event of equivalent qualification.
Applications including a curriculum vitae, copies of certificates, a description of the applicant's academic career, a list of publications, research and teaching statements, details of previous third-party funding activities, and documentation of prior teaching experience, including the applicant's private address can be uploaded until 23.10.2026 via the appointment portal of Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg: https://berufungsportal.uni-halle.de/
Contact person for queries pertinent to the position: Prof. Dr. Dennis Nürnberg Tel.: +49 345 5526352, E-Mail: dennis.nuernberg@mikrobiologie.uni-halle.de
The call for tenders is subject to any possible budgetary restrictions. Application costs will not be reimbursed by the Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg.