Head of Grants Office (m/f/d)

Max-Planck-Institut für Biochemie

Head of Grants Office (m/f/d) Full-time

The Grants Office supports researchers at the Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry and the Max-Planck-Institute for Biological Intelligence in securing and managing third-party funding. As a scientific service unit, it oversees a portfolio of over 30 projects with a total value exceeding €40 million, with strong focus on European Commission funding (ERC, MSCA). The service covers the full funding life-cycle: from strategic funding advice and proposal development to grant implementation, contract management and reporting. By coordinating internal resources and fostering seamless collaboration between researchers, administration and funding bodies, the Grants Office ensures efficient, compliant, and successful project execution, enabling scientists to focus on groundbreaking research.

Your Tasks

• Actively shaping and further developing the Grants Office, with significant autonomy and responsibility in defining its strategic direction, processes, and services, according to the researchers’ evolving needs
• Advising researchers on the development of their external funding portfolio and monitoring new funding opportunities
• Supporting grant applications including administrative processes and feedback on proposals; and analyzing proposal evaluation results
• Overseeing project management of third-party funded projects: deliverables, scientific and financial reports, implementing changes of project parameters (e.g. budget, extension, transfer); in cooperation with the Scientific Coordinator
• Monitoring new regulations and implementing administrative requirements from the institute, the Max Planck Society and the funding agencies
• Organization of information events and workshops (e.g. on fellowship opportunities for PostDocs)
• Regular communication with all stakeholders, including institute Directors and Group Leaders, the Scientific Consultant of the Office of Managing Directors, and the Administrative Headquarters in Munich
• Maintaining strategic networks with colleagues from Grants Offices across the Max Planck Society, and research managers at other public research institutions
• Designing sustainable strategies and digital workflows to optimize and standardize office operations
• Leading a team of two (Scientific Coordinator and Assistant)

Your Profile

You enjoy leading a team in a competitive international environment and are passionate about both science and administration. You are a responsible, highly organized, and service-oriented individual who can quickly familiarize themselves with a variety of topics and enjoys advancing collaborative work and decision-making processes to create ideal conditions for excellent research every day.

In addition, you should have:

• A PhD in life sciences with at least 3 years (full-time) relevant professional experience in research management or third-party funding administration
• International experience in a research or research management environment and intercultural competency
• Demonstrated experience in scientific writing and the organization/facilitation of workshops
• Strong communication skills in face-to-face, virtual, and written exchanges with stakeholders at all levels
• Excellent German and English skills, both written and spoken
• Confident use of Microsoft Office and digital tools for project management
• A very high degree of independence, accuracy, and reliability
• A sense of responsibility and a solution-oriented approach

Our Offer

• An interesting, versatile position in an international environment
• Remuneration according to TVöD (Bund) including social benefits and company pension scheme
• Diverse opportunities for further training and development
• Flexible working hours, option for mobile working (up to 40% after onboarding)
• 30 days of holiday per year, additional days off on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve
• Company health management, sports programmes, subsidized job ticket, in-house cafeteria
• The position is to be filled immediately and is initially limited to 2 years, a further permanent employment is possible and desired