The Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR) is the leading radio astronomical institute in Germany. It operates the APEX submm telescope in Chile, the 100-m radio telescope in Effelsberg , the LOFAR DE1 station, a state-of-the-art VLBI correlator, and radio/submm instrument technology laboratories. MPIfR is also a partner in MeerKAT and leads the German SKA efforts. In addition, the Max Planck Society is a major partner in IRAM which operates the 30m telescope and the NOEMA interferometer. Between MPIfR and the neighbouring universities, the Bonn/Cologne area is a major hub of research activity, including the DYNAVERSE excellence.

The research at MPIfR covers most astrophysical applications of radio astronomy. The Star Formation and Galaxy Evolution department focusses on (sub)mm/radio studies of the interstellar medium, from the Milky Way to the distant Universe, to better understand the star formation process, in the context of galaxy evolution.

The Star Formation and Galaxy Evolution department at MPIfR is seeking to fill the position of Scientific Coodinator as soon as possible, initially for a period of three years. The Scientific Coordinator will support the research activities of the group of 40 researchers including senior staff, postdoctoral researchers and graduate students, and will work in close collaboration with the director, Prof. Dr. Amélie Saintonge.

Your tasks and responsibilities

• Supporting the director and the research group with scientific project management and collaborations, as well as planning and coordinating meetings, conferences, and scientific visits
• Working in collaboration with the APEX project scientist and manager to support operations, scientific activities, and coordination of activities with external stakeholders
• Assisting with reporting, grant proposal preparation, and project management
• Coordinating scientific job advertisement, recruitment processes, student projects and internships
• Coordinating external communications and public outreach activities of the department alongside the institute’s Press Officer
• Up to 20% of the time could be made available to participate in the research activities of the department

Your qualifications and profile

• Necessary skills and qualifications
• A PhD in Astronomy or a related field
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English
• Excellent organisational skills, strategic thinking, and a proven track record of reliable and efficient delivery of outcomes
• Ability to work effectively with academic, administrative, and external stakeholders in an international environment
• Good practical knowledge of MS Office and LaTeX
• Desired skills
• Research experience in the field of star formation, interstellar medium and/or galaxy evolution studies
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in German
• Familiarity with Linux computer systems

What we offer

MPIfR is a vibrant, international research institute with a staff of over 300, including scientific staff and students, engineers and instrumentation specialists, as well as administrative staff, and guest scientists. You will get the opportunity to not only work closely with the director and staff of the Star Formation and Galaxy Evolution department, but also to interact and exchange with colleagues across the entire institute, and in particular the institute's Research Coordinator.

The appointment will initially be for 3 years, with a start date as soon as possible, and latest by September 2026. Remuneration is within the framework of the German wage agreement for the public system (TVöD-Bund) in level 13. The offer includes comprehensive healthcare coverage, other social benefits, and subsidy for public transport ("Jobticket”). We offer family-friendly working hours and the possibility for remote work in accordance with the institute’s working arrangements.

How to apply

Interested and qualified individuals are encouraged to apply by submitting an academic CV, a motivation letter of up to two pages, and the contact details of two people who can be contacted for references. Applications should be submitted through the MPIfR application portal by April 17, 2026 .

The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals. Furthermore, the Max Planck Society seeks to increase the number of women in areas where they are underrepresented and explicitly encourages women to apply.

Contact information

For queries about the applications process: career@mpifr-bonn.mpg.de