Open Call for Expressions of Interest: Max Planck Directors

The Max Planck Society (MPG, link page https://www.mpg.de/short-portrait) is a world-leading institution pursuing basic research across the life sciences, natural sciences and the social and human sciences. Research is conducted at Max Planck Institutes (link page https://www.mpg.de/institutes) in Germany and at a few other locations in Europe and the United States.

The MPG strives to recruit the strongest and most innovative scientists worldwide, particularly those working in – or capable of opening up – exciting new fields of research. The Max Planck Society invites expressions of interest for

Max Planck Directors

Max Planck Directors (link page https://www.mpg.de/24763774/directors) are pioneering, agenda-setting researchers who jointly lead their Institutes with their fellow Directors, and pursue bold research programmes within their own departments. They enjoy complete scientific freedom. We offer an outstanding research environment that fosters creativity and scientific breakthrough, including top-tier infrastructure, an international scientific community, and competitive, stable, long-term research funding. 

Core criteria for a Directorship include scientific and scholarly excellence, an innovative and visionary research programme, and personal and intellectual leadership, rather than age or seniority. In addition, Max Planck Directors demonstrate readiness to maintain an open, respectful atmosphere for our diverse community of scientists.   

The MPG, as an equal opportunity employer, is committed to diversity and inclusion in all aspects of recruitment and employment. We particularly welcome expressions of interest from groups that are otherwise underrepresented in leadership positions within the MPG and its Institutes.

To submit your expressions of interest please send an updated CV (including a list of publications), as well as a maximum one-page letter of motivation, both in PDF format, to opencall.director@gv.mpg.de. For the purposes of this call, we will only accept personal expressions of interest; materials submitted on behalf of others will not be considered.

Expressions of interest should be submitted by the 31^st of October 2025 and will be treated with strict confidentiality.