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Are you an exceptionally qualified researcher with several years of research experience? Becoming the leader of a research group in Germany will enable you to realise your own research project and develop your management skills.
If you are not yet eligible to be appointed as a professor, this position will enable you to qualify for a professorship or another leadership position in Germany.
What is expected of a future research group leader? What does the application procedure involve? You will find answers to these and other questions here:
You will usually have to meet the following requirements to become the leader of a research group:
You are already a university teacher or experienced postdoctoral researcher and are working permanently or temporarily at a university institute or a non-university research institution
You have acquired several years of (international) research experience after completing your doctorate
You have outstanding subject competence
You have an idea for your own outstanding research project
You have published ambitious papers in internationally prestigious journals.
The requirements for an application can differ depending on the status of the position, as well as on the German state and institute involved. Positions are advertised either by the institutes themselves, the participating universities or research organisations. You should pay attention to the following points:
In the case of open research groups, you will have to submit your own individual project proposal
Applications frequently have to be submitted in English
In many cases, applications can only be made online using a special application portal
There can also be differences in the selection procedure. As a rule, however, it involves several steps:
Normally, a special committee makes a preliminary selection of applicants who will be invited to a selection symposium or a personal interview
Later, this committee makes a recommendation
If necessary, external assessments are requested
The final decision is made by the management of the research organisation or the university on the basis of the recommendation
Leadership of a research group in Germany is a responsible position. What kinds of duties await you? What possibilities will be available to you? How high is the salary? Find out here:
Research groups are usually very well-resourced and have access to a generous budget. And you will use the infrastructure and the administration of the institute at which you are based.
As a rule, they are funded for a period of three to five years. If necessary, funding can be extended.
The remuneration of research group leaders in Germany can vary considerably because it depends on the successful candidate’s qualifications and the grouping of the position and whether it is based on the relevant state collective agreement for civil service employees or W pay scale (for researchers).
Specifically, this can mean that the basic starting salary for the leader of a research group can correspond to that of a qualified postdoctoral researcher. It is then roughly 6,200 euros per month gross.
If you meet the requirements for appointment as a university professor or already hold a university professorship, as a rule you will be paid according to the W pay scale, a salary scale for scholars. (Here you will find more information: Professorship at a university > Salary). Depending on the grouping of the higher education institution or the institute, remuneration will be paid according to the W2 or W3 scale.
However, research group leaders can also be financed out of third-party funds. Although salaries are then usually based on the collective agreements, they can deviate from them.
Please bear in mind that deductions are made from gross monthly salary to cover taxes and possibly also social contributions for medical, unemployment and retirement pension insurance. These contributions enable you to acquire rights to the excellent benefits of the German social security system.
Research projects and the associated positions for research group leaders in Germany are also financed by various funding organisations and foundations. But where are the jobs advertised? And what funding programmes are available? Here you will find more information:
We help you navigate through the large number of job portals that specialise in openings for academics and scientists in Germany. These are some of the sites that may get you started.
Can you win people over with your expertise, experience and research ideas? German research funding organisations award prizes and fellowships to support international researchers.
